How to connect and configure controller and software

Chapters below will describe:

• connection parameters
• how to set type of controller communication
• how to set primary controller in PlanetCNC TNG software
• controller status indication lights

Connection parameters are available under File/Settings/Connection:

Safe Mode:
Explicitly checks USB descriptor of connected controller.

Connection USB:
When enabled, USB communication will be used for communication between TNG and controller. This option will also display all PlanetCNC controller devices connected to PC using USB communication.

Connection Network:
When enabled, Ethernet communication will be used for communication between TNG and controller. This option will also display all PlanetCNC controller devices connected to PC using Ethernet communication.

Adapter IP:
This input field is used for PC's network adapter IP address. With this parameter, user sets the designated network adapter for the means of Ethernet communication.

Primary Controller:
Displays PlanetCNC controller set as primary controller device.

Connected device window:
Here are displayed all PlanetCNC controller devices connected via USB or Ethernet. To make device visible, appropriate connection option needs to be selected under Connection USB/Network.

PlanetCNC TNG software should recognize all PlanetCNC controllers connected to PC's USB or Network ports. To achieve that, user needs to enable suitable communication option.
Select the type of connection that you use with your controller. If your controller is connected with PC via USB cable, select USB option, if you use network cable, select Network option:

When you select suitable option of connection, you will notice that window with connected devices will add controller(s) to the list of recognized PlanetCNC devices(beside Simulation).
If you have multiple controllers connected via USB to your computer, software will display them. In case of enabled Ethernet option, software will display also controllers connected to computer via network. Image below shows two controllers connected to PC via USB, as also one controller connected vie network.

This communication option does not need any additional parameter configuration. You simply connect controller to your PC's USB port, and controller should appear on the list of connected devices.

Info:
Here is displayed firmware version of selected controller under connected device field.

Path:
Here are displayed VID and PID numbers and USB path of selected controller under connected device field.

If controller is highlighted, user can observe controllers network parameters.

Info:
Here is displayed firmware version of selected controller under connected device field.

IP:
IP number of motion controller.

Mask:
Network mask

MAC:
MAC address of controller

DHCP option:
Enables DHCP

1. Make sure that controller is connected, updated with last firmware version and set as Primary controller.

2. Click Machine/Controller/Advanced → Set Parameters:

3. Disable the DHCP option and check the IP address of controller. In example above controller uses IP number of 192.168.1.200(in your case it might be different). Remember this parameter.

Please note: You change controllers IP address via Controller Parameters dialogue.This is the correct way to change controllers IP address.

4. Via ipconfig /all in CMD, check your computers Network adapter which is used to connect your computer to network.

Find it on the list of available network adapters and write down its IP address. In this example case this is IP address: 192.168.1.100:

5. Now click: File/Settings/Connection and insert it as Adapter IP: Make sure that controller and your computer use the same subnet number

To select primary controller, user needs to double click on controller displayed in the connected device field.
Once primary controller is set, “Primary controller” window will display type of connection, type of controller and its serial number. Image below describes selected primary controller MK3/4 with serial number 16145:

User can observe its status via connection light in the bottom right corner of PlanetCNC TNG software.

This light can be lit in various colors and each color can indicate different connection, firmware and license status.

Gray light with S:

• indicates no communication between controller and software. Click “Machine/Controller/Reconnect” and make sure that correct controller is set as Primary controller in settings.
  

Green light with S:

• indicates that PlanetCNC TNG software is in Simulation mode. You can use software options and features, execute G-code programs etc.. however, you are not able to control your machine.
  
• so that software communicates with PlanetCNC motion controller and that machine control is possible, you need to set “Primary controller”.
  

Green light:

• indicates that controller is updated with correct firmware version, it is set as primary controller and is activated, meaning license for corresponding controller is found by software.
  

Green light with X:

• indicates that controller is updated with correct firmware, it is set as primary controller but software does not find proper license for connected controller.
  

Orange light:

• indicates that controllers firmware version is not correct. Update firmware of controller.
  

Orange light with X:

• indicates that controllers firmware version is not correct. Update firmware of controller.
  

Red light:

• indicates that software is processing commands and is sending them to controller. This is during machine jogging or machine operation.