## Direct Connect Mode (DCM)

Direct Connect Mode or DCM lets you call an NC Gage program directly from a cutting macro as if the NC Gage program were a subroutine. When the NC Gage program finishes running without errors, it will return to the cutting program from which it was called. The NC Gage programs can consist of inspection routines or work offset update routines.

Entering DCM Mode

Use the DCM soft key on the second page of the main screen to enter Direct Connect Mode. The Direct Connect Mode screen appears:

Direct Connect Mode Screen

Alternately, you can modify the command line shortcut with a –DL extension as shown below to start Direct Connect Mode when NC Gage starts:

C:\ .. \NCGage.exe –dl

Calling the NC Gage Program

To call an NC Gage program from a cutting program, a special macro (DCM Macro) must be called with a parameter (H) specifying the NC Gage program to be executed.

- The name of the NC Gage program must be a four digit number. This number will be used when calling the DCM Macro to specify the NC Gage Program which should be run.

- The DCM macro is the NC Gage Monitor Macro number plus 1. For example, if the Monitor Macro Number is 7400, then the DCM macro will be 7401. The DCM macro number is determined by the Fanuc Configuration Tool during initial setup and configuration of NC Gage. See "Configuration" in "Appendix A".

So, to call an NC Gage program named 1234.ncg from a cutting macro, the following syntax should be added to the cutting program:

G65 P7401 H1234

During execution in DCM, the Direct Connect Mode screen will show the program being executed, and display the report in real time as the program executes. If NC Gage is so configured, it will save a part report file and the NC Gage DCM monitor screen will show the number of out of tolerance features.

Error Conditions

If there is an error condition caused by a false trigger, an unexpected end of move, pressing the Stop Execution soft key in NC Gage, or if the machine tool is not able to initialize the probe, then NC Gage will return the user to the cutting macro.

Available Navigation Bar Soft Keys on this Screen:

| Backward / Forward Back / Forward to previous / next group of soft keys. |  | Show Detail This soft key shows real-time information about the execution of the program in DCM.
| Stop Executing This will cause NC Gage to stop executing the program. |  | Help This soft key accesses the NC Gage help file.
| Return This soft key returns the view up one level to the previous screen. |  |