
4.16i/18i DATA SERVER FUNCTIONS IV. OPERATION B-63644EN/02
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4.1.8 Buffer Mode Specifications
The buffer mode is designed to handle NC programs larger than the
capacity of the Fast data server built-in ATA card. In this mode, the
Fast data server built-in ATA card is used as a temporary, intermediate
buffer.
In the buffer mode, two areas (A and B) are previously prepared on the
hard disk. While an NC program is being supplied from one (A) of the
areas to the CNC, the rest of the NC program is read from the host
computer into the other area (B), using the FTP. When the data transfer
from area A ends, a data transfer from area B to the CNC is started, and
the NC program transfer from the host computer to the emptied area
(A) is resumed, using the FTP.
Repeating this sequence enables an NC program larger than the
capacity of the Fast data server built-in ATA card to be handled. Using
the buffer mode, however, requires that the NC program be previously
divided into several files in the host computer.
The size of resulting smaller files must not be larger than half the
remaining capacity of the Fast data server built-in ATA card. If the file
size is very large (for example, not smaller than 100 MB), it will take a
fairly long time to read the first file from the host computer, thus
delaying the start of the operation.
NOTE
The Series 21i-A/B cannot use the buffer mode.