pcdreh

Click above for a software download (24mb).
Once downloaded open the *.exe file and it will create all the required folders.
This download is Release 17 of the software.

PCTurn has proven its reliability in every day use. It has continuous improvements and enhancements which guarantee a current state-of-the-art program. 

PCTurn is a variable application in the mould making and pattern construction tasks as well in the development in fine mechanical shops, schools, training centres and in all fields of model making. No matter if
it is concerning only single parts or a small series requiring high repeatition accuracy; there is no limit to its variety.

What is PCTurn?

Lots of solutions on the market are just isolated applications. This means that for the necessary processing steps:

1. Generate a CAD drawing
2. Have the milling tool path calculated by a CAM software
3. Output them by a post processor to control the tool

To do so, the user needs different software packages.   With PCTurn you can work with one single harmonised package.  With PCTurn for Windows, the philosophy is to draw in the same way as on scale paper, which can be taken out of the DOS versions.  E.g. Software for drawing, simulating and processing.

The Hardware Interface

PCTurn for Windows uses a hardware interface to output the steps at the control.

This has several advantages:

• There are no complicated release codes, which need to be sent back and forth by email.
• Each demo version becomes a full version by the "dongle". Updates to higher versions are possible without replacing the dongle.
• There are generally no problems with the compatibility between different Windows versions as the interrupt core of the operating system is not being influenced. PCTurn for Windows is working with: WIN98,
  WINDOWS 2000 and with WINDOWS XP operating systems.
• As the hardware interface takes over calculating power of the PC, an under-performing PC is still enough to control a machine tool.
• The hardware interface which we have developed with the principle to process steps as “driving packages" will ensure at any time that the steps are always generated precisely timed. The capability of real
  time is generated by a buffer function.
• Due to its very modern micro controller no control box is required, the interface fits into the same housing where the dongles had been locatedunder DOS.
• Due to the high processing speeds of the micro controller circular archs are running down more smoothly. Therefore, higher feeds are no problem.

The Simpleness

It is initiated by a clear structure of the menu and of the program interface and is continued over the drawing up to the setting of the milling parameters.  For PCTurn for Windows the CAM data are immediately generated when drawing. The user will not be aware of it. Thus it is possible e.g. to create a hole by triple mouse clicks.  The drawing functions are quite simple when using the mouse. You can for instance select several intersections in order to shift them, etc.  The whole compensation of the installation is reduced to clicking on the existing machine, the used control and the entry of the required steps to overwrite the spindle clearance.

There are lots of helps available in the program for unexperience CNC users, which facilitate the work with the machine.  There are for instance feed values for preset materials which guarantee immediate success without risk of broken die.

The Safety

Before outputting a drawing at the control, the whole milling tool path is being calculated and displayed on the screen. This way, you can see where the program had to perform a compensation of the clearance or
where you have to enter accelerating or braking ramps or if the cutter is leaving the working area. 

Before chipping, PCTurn for Windows will notice if milling depths have been followed or if a collision of the cutter e.g. with the vice might occur and will indicate a corresponding warning.

The Help System

The speciality of pcturn for Windows is the 4-step help system.

• Tooltip texts
  
  Each command button is provided with a reference text, which shows up when the mouse stays on the button for a little while.

  

  The status row

• For each action which you perform with pcturn for Windows, the software will give you important information in the status row.
  
  Example when drawing a rectangle:

The status row

For each action which you perform with pcturn for Windows, the software will give you important information in the status row. 

The "permanent" manual

With this manual, we stroke a new path. It is an active manual which is displayed as HTML pages via the Internet browser. The individual pages are linked among one another with the main directory and the subdirectories.  Each window contains its proper pages of the manual.  Therewith it is guaranteed that the user will always get the correct information, which he is searching for. And this at any place in the software. The manual is standarly opened with the green buttons:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The capability
  
  There are no more limits concerning the size of drawings or of the processing speed.  With pcturn for Windows you can control four axes. Three axes can interpolate linearly as well as in a curve (helix).
  In the three-axes operation, the interpolation speed reaches a pulse-frequency of up to 30KHz. This way, it is possible to achieve very rapid movements or also feeds at high resolution.
  
  For the first time a "Look ahead" function is being included.  It estimates the tool pathes for milling and accordingly switches the function of the ramp on or off. This way, circular pathes or 3D objects can be created with feeds in the range of rapid movements.  It is possible to perform any common machining methods.  Pocketing with cycles, clearing, drilling, etc.  With the EXTRAS functions further options available: For example laser gas cutting.

Technical Data:

CAD Drawing

• lines
• holes
• circles / ellipses
• rectangles / square
• dividing plate object
• prefab components (projected) 

Changing

• chamfer corners (projected)round corners
• radius on a line
• rotate
• move
• scale
• copy
• delete / cut out paste

Presentation

• one-, two- and three window mode
• grid on / off
• tool path milling on / off
• intersections on / off
• zoom / scale down
• shift
• increment 0.001 to 999 mm or freely definable

CAM

Simulation and processing in three axes processing

• inside / outside / centre
• infeed at several depths
• clearing (PLUS software) (projected)
• finishing
• without
• with multiplefeed motion pattern (projected)
• milling direction right / left
• cutter plunge at point (projected)

 Tool Data

• diameter
• cutter length
• total length
• maximum feed per milling path
• tool replacement (PLUS software)
• origin position
• speed control (PLUS software projected)
  

Control Machine

• load
• change
• save
• clamping material and dimensions

Electronics

• load
• change
• save

Step motor ramp setting

• separate ramp X- /Y- and Z-axis
• load
• change
• save
• Look ahead function
• linear / exponential

Hardware interface (standard)

• 8 bit microprozessor
• 8 bit microprocessor
• serial / USB input
• protected transmission protocol 
  
  - 4 x cycle-, 1x direction output
  - 1 x speed output (8 bit)
  - 4 x reference switch input
  or
  - 4 x cycle-, 4 x direction output
  - 4 x reference switch input
• maximum pulse-frequency in threeaxis
• interpolation: 30KHz
• seperate power supply unit

Version Windows

  Standard version

•  Adapter RS 232 on  LPT1 
• Cable RS 232
•  Dongle · CD-Rom
• Power supply unit