Hello out there . . . I feel like I'm floating on a vast ocean in a little dingy, few people tread these waters . Well I am trying to troubleshoot the Fanuc LR mate 100i from 1997. Outdated and rather pointless to learn but here I am tasked with learning it. If anyone is out there who knows anything about these robots please send a lifeline. Ok enough with the metaphors. Here is what I'm trying to do . . . Get the robot controller (RJ2) to talk to a computer via cable RS232C. Fanuc says I need to purchase their Kfloppy software to do this. Is this true? Will the open source ware kde kfloppy do the same? http://utils.kde.org/projects/kfloppy/ Or can I speak to the computer via serial communication (ie Putty or hyper terminal). Is there anyway to avoid giving Fanuc more money? Next task: connect robot to PLC via CRM5 cable. Does anyone have any type of connection guide (besides the cryptic like Fanuc diagrams) for what cable goes where. I'm not an electrical engineer nor have I used a PLC before and am hitting a steep learning curve. Is there a way to run programs automatically without a PLC? Right now I have to hold the deadman switch and shift while running programs which isn't very feasible for a factory floor. Thank you in advance, I need all the help I can get. duck
