Controlink Systems LLC - Combining machining expertise with Process Monitoring, Control, and DNC Software Solutions!

Machine Link™

Streamlines the process of sending and receiving CNC programs.

Machine Link™ is very easy to use, is extremely reliable, and will communicate with every CNC machine in your shop that supports standard RS-232 serial communications.

It can be used to edit, print, upload, and download CNC program files. It is easy to configure and supports all standard character sets (ASCII, ISO, and EIA). It will also drip feed most CNC machines. The software runs on all versions of Windows from Windows XP up (including Vista) and each copy can be configured for an unlimited number of machines.

Overview

Machine Link™ is a powerful tool with an interface that machinists really like and understand. Everything necessary for a typical session is located directly on the main screen.

Our goal is to keep you focused on cutting metal - not learning to operate complicated software. 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.

Machine Link Overview - Fast - Easy - Reliable software for YOUR shop!

Machine Link - configurable to communicate with ANY machine in your shop.

Machine Link™ can be configured to communicate with any machine in your shop.

It can also be configured for an unlimited number of different machine controls. Simply select the control name from the drop down list box and Machine Link™ is ready to send and receive CNC program files using the communication parameters associated with that CNC machine tool.

How it Works

Machine Link™ is designed to be fast, efficient, and easy to use.

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

Pro Tip: 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.

Pro Tip: It is also possible to send very large files directly from disk without opening them into the editor (this feature conserves computer memory). From the menu bar select Operate, then choose Select & Write File from Disk (or press CTRL+W). You will then be prompted to select the CNC file to transfer. The entire file will be transferred but only small portions of the file will ever be brought into memory enabling large file transfers using any shop computer.

Receiving a CNC program from a 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

Built-In Editor

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 saved CNC progam files from your computer 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 modification 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.

Help

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 [OPEN FILE] button.

Tip: Check out our training resources!

Machine Link Context Help provides useful information.

Registration

Registering your software is quick and easy and can be done through Machine Link's Registration screen by clicking [Purchase Online Securely] and entering your purchasing information.

Don't have an internet connection where Machine Link™ is installed? Click the [Buy Now] button above and enter the "Software Code" shown on Machine Link's Registration screen.

Your "Registration Code" and order details will be emailed to you immediately following credit card processing.

Once your "Registration Code" has been received, enter it and click [Register].

Need help? Call us at (800) 838-3479.

Machine Link Registration is quick and easy!

Customer Comments

"Machine Link has significantly improved our productivity. We are now spending seconds doing what took us about thirty minutes before... Machine Link is so easy to use that anybody in the shop can use it with minimal training."

— Greg Scheldberg

Sharn Enterprises, Inc., Mokena, IL

"Machine Link™ really works well. We use its 'Search and Replace' capabilities virtually everyday. We can download a program from the control, make some quick changes, then send it right back."

— Royce Burton

Royce Co., Lebanon, OH