Files Used by PC-DMIS NC

In this topic, <PCDMISINSTALL> means the PC-DMIS NC installation location. The following files are used by PC-DMIS NC.

PC-DMIS measurement routine files - The standard PC-DMIS measurement routine (.prg) and CAD (.cad) files stored in the default location.

NC measurement routine files - These files are the NC machine measurement routines generated from the PC-DMIS measurement routine and have a .cnc extension. You can place them in any location, but you should probably create a separate CNC sub-folder somewhere on your hard drive. Interfaces that do not have direct access to setting work and tool offsets will generate NC measurement routines to update these offsets. Typically the file extension for these measurement routines is .wrk.

Journal files - Journal files (.cnj and .cnp files) contain the transactions received from the NC machine during execution of the NC measurement routine file (.cnc file). They are stored in the <PCDMISINSTALL>\Journal subdirectory.

Journal files are not used for PC-DMIS NCI.

If you have journal files for a PC-DMIS measurement routine named Block.prg, they are stored in the <PCDMISINSTALL>\Journal\Block folder.

Machine definition files - These files are stored in the <PCDMISINSTALL>\CncMachineData folder. Sub-folders for each machine contain compens.dat, .PRB files, and the rotary table calibration files.

Machine related files - Controller files are located in the following folders that must be copied to the controller:

Monitor measurement routine set - The Monitor measurement routine set consists of NC measurement routines that perform basic move/measure functions, and the Monitor measurement routine that interfaces with interfac.dll. The NC measurement routines for move/measure may also be used in PC-DMIS NC as Wilcox probing macros without the Monitor.


The executable file for the NC Gateway server application, and the Ctrltdefaults.dll file are required for PC-DMIS NCI.

NCFanuc.dll - Interface file for the Fanuc controller that is renamed to interfac.dll as needed.

NCSiemens.dll - Interface file for the Siemens controller that is renamed to interfac.dll as needed.

Monitor Measurement Routine Set - The set is resident on the NC Control and consists of a group of executable NC measurement routines coordinated by a master Monitor measurement routine.

The operator starts the Monitor measurement routine when requested by PC-DMIS NCI to perform move and measure functions. PC-DMIS NCI treats the Monitor as a server and sends requests to it in the form of op codes and attendant data (like target position). When the Monitor completes an operation, the results and status are sent to PC-DMIS NCI, and it waits for the next command.

When PC-DMIS NCI goes to Manual mode, it sends an exit command to the Monitor which gracefully terminates. The Cancel button is also active during PC-DMIS execution to immediately stop the Monitor.