Machine Link™ PLUS enables simultaneous communication with at least six different machine tools. You can be sending different CNC programs and be recieving a file from another machine tool all at the same time!

NOTE: Machine Link™ and Machine Link™ PLUS operate identically except PLUS supports multiple, simultaneous sessions - the remaining overview applies to both products.

Machine Link™ is designed to send and receive CNC program files directly from and into a flexible editor. CNC program modifications can be quickly made and written right back to the machine control.

Remember, Machine Link™ can be configured to communicate with any machine in your shop. Additionally, Machine Link™ can be configured for an unlimited number of different machine controls. Just select the configured machine control from the drop down list box (shown below) and Machine Link™ is ready to send and receive CNC program files.

Machine Link™ is designed to be fast, efficient, and easy to use. Everything you need to quickly complete a typical session is located directly on the program's front panel. A typical session involves either sending an existing CNC program to a selected machine control or receiving a CNC program from a machine control.

Sending CNC programs to a machine tool is simple:

• Select the Machine Control to communicate with from the drop down list box
• [OPEN] the CNC program file you want to send or type one into the editor
• Prepare the machine tool to receive the file and click [SEND]
• Machine Link™ will send the file using the configured communication settings

NOTE: Machine Link™ can also be used to send the same file repetitively without additional operator intervention -- the same file is sent again and again each time the [CYCLE START] button is pressed at the machine tool. The operator never has to leave the machine tool to resend the job. The [Send Loop to CNC] option is initiated by selecting [Operate] from the menu bar and then choosing [Send Loop to CNC]. Simply click [CANCEL] to terminate the loop once the desired number of parts has been made.

Receiving a CNC program file from the machine tool is just as simple:

• Select the Machine Control to communicate with from the drop down list box
• Click [RECEIVE] to prepare Machine Link™ -- send the file from the machine control
• Machine Link™ will receive the CNC file and place it in the CNC Contents Window
• Click [SAVE FILE] to store the program to a file name and location of your choice

Machine Link™ is equipped with the editing features you need to easily create, edit, print, and manage all of your CNC program files. Search and Replace capabilities are also available to simplify making speed/feed and other modifications to the entire CNC file or a selected block of text.

• Click [OPEN FILE] to load a CNC program file into the Machine Link™ editor window. If a file is already loaded, Machine Link™ will prompt you to either replace the current file [REPLACE] with the selected file or to [MERGE] (insert at last cursor position) or [APPEND] (place on end) the selected file with the current CNC program. The merge location is clearly displayed for your convenience. This makes it easy to combine new and existing CNC code.

• Click [SAVE FILE] to save the contents of Machine Link's™ editor window to a file name and location of your choice. By default, Machine Link™ will write the entire CNC program to the file. However, if you select a block of text with the cursor prior to clicking [SAVE FILE], Machine Link™ will enable you to save only the selected block of text or the entire contents to a file name of your choice.

• Printing CNC progam files from disk is easy. From the tool bar select [File], and then [Print CNC File]. Machine Link™ will print the selected file to your default printer (instant hardcopy for the job folder). It is no longer necessary to edit/copy/paste to a different piece of software just to get a hardcopy of your CNC program.

• Machine Link™ will also sort and print directory listings which include file name(s), their size, and last modificaiton date/time. The directory listing is printed with a header clearly indicating the name of the selected directory and the date/time of printing. This is an awesome feature to help manage your CNC program files. From the menu bar select [File] then choose [List DIR Contents]. Machine Link™ will automatically display the last directory that files were either retrieved from or saved to.

Machine Link™ is loaded with helpful information about its features. From the tool bar select [Help], and then [Show Help] to activate a useful help window. When this feature is active, Machine Link™ will display a descriptive help message whenever the cursor is moved over a control. As an example, the below help message was displayed when hovering over the Configured Machine Controls list box.

Machine Link™ streamlines the process of sending and receiving CNC programs. It was developed with the everyday user in mind by Controlink Systems, LLC, a company that understands machining and the needs of the machining industry.

System Requirements:

• IBM or Compatible 486DX
• Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT 4.0 or higher
• 32 MB of RAM (64 MB recommended)
• SVGA color monitor (800x600 screen resolution or greater)

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