
            -------------------------------------------------------
                          Precision MicroControl Corp.
                             WinCNC - Version 4.1.0
                         29-April-2014  *  ReadMe File
                $Id: ReadMe.txt 57 2014-08-04 17:19:02Z brian $
            -------------------------------------------------------

			  
Contents
========
 - What's New
 - Contacting Technical Support


What's New
==========
Version 4.1.0 - 29-Apr-14
-------------------------
New features
  - Added support for the MultiFlex Ethernet controller
  - App no longer always attemtps to start full screen, instead it remembers its 
    last used size and resets to the same (if possible).
  - More work has been done to document the source code for users who are working with
    the WinCNC source.
  - Updated Installshield project to a more recent version


Version 4.0.1 - 9-Jul-14
------------------------
New features
  - Version 4.0.1 was a migration of the source tree to the current Visual Studio
    (2005 / VS8) build system. This marks a major pull forward of the source tree
    and this first release is to check the work that was done. Functionality should
    be identical to version 4.0.0.
  - Program uses XP themes, if available, for a more contemporary look.
  - PMC's Readout and LED window decorations are used for front panel controls 
    (RELAXEN UND WATSCHEN DER BLINKENLICHTEN).
  - The Motion Control API and Motion Dialogs are now linked dynamically to provide
    better error handling for the user.
  - Standard Motion Dialogs About Box is used - provides user with useful version 
    info.

Bug Fixes
  - Initial window sizing code takes into account the size and position of the 
    Windows taskbar.


Version 4.0a - 5-May-05
-----------------------
New features
  - Added support for MFX-PCI motion controller. This requires MFX-PCI firmware to 
    include G-code Interpreter.
  - Changed declaration of global and local iJogState variables from "int" to 
    "unsigned int". Changed GetJogState() function to return an unsigned integer. 
    Changed parameters to SetJogState() and ClearJogState() functions to unsigned 
    integer. This fixes problem with jogging of Z axis. This was broken when
    code was changed from 16 to 32 bit application in 3.0.
  - Implemented GetAllDigitalIO() function using putcmd() to issue Tell Status command
    with a parameter of 0 to motion controller. This is used to read digital inputs on
    motion controller during OnTimer() function execution. This replaces use of 
    getram() function in previous code.
  - Added new variable iControllerType to CMotionController class. Added coded to
    CMotionController::Open() function to get the controller configuration and set
    the iControllerType variable. Implemented GetControllerType() function in 
    CMotionController class.
  - Added code to CWincncApp::OnIdle() to test the controller type and use the 
    appropriate (hard coded) address to test the ASCII output mailbox with a 
    GetRam() function call.


Version 3.0a - 30-May-01
------------------------
New features
  - Converted program to 32 bit application.
  - Moved initialization of Home mode to after initial update of control panel. In
    previous code CMachine::ModeHome() function was called before control panel was
    updated causing assert error. See code at the end of CWincncApp::InitInstance().
  - Added packing pragma to declaration of command and reply buffers in MTNCTRLR.H.
    This forces DCX command and reply elements to have proper alignment under 32 bit
    compiler.
  - Changed functions in MTNCTRLR.H to use MCGetPositionEx(), MCGetOptimalEx(), and
    MCGetTargetEx(). Previous code used non "Ex" functions which are no longer 
    supported.
  - Changed FileName CString in CMachine::FileLoad() to character array. Previous 
    code didn't use the CString properly and caused exceptions. Believe problem was
    not setting sting size in dlgFile.m_ofn.nMaxFile variable.


Version 2.3a - 3-Jul-97
-----------------------
New features
  - Added setup dialog for tool Offsets. This dialog maintains two tables of 32 offset
    values each. These values are downloaded to the motion controller, and can be 
    accessed by a part program via D and H parameters specifying the offset number. 
    Each offset consists of a Geometry and a Wear component. In addition, each offset
    includes a Wear Factor that specifies the amount the wear value will increase for 
    each unit of cutting travel.

  - Added Radius Wear and Radius Wear Factor to tool data setup dialogs. These values 
    are downloaded to the controller and are used in calculating the proper tool 
    radius. The wear factor sets the amount that the radius wear is increased for each
    unit of cutting travel.


Version 2.2a - 13-Jan-97
------------------------
New features
  - Modified program to be compatible with lower level firmware that uses velocity
    override setting for position and velocity modes. WinCNC places axes in velocity
    mode for jogging and must now set the velocity override value along with the 
    maximum velocity when initializing jogging. In previous system firmware, 
    velocity override setting was only used in contour mode, and was not a concern
    in jogging mode.

  - Added "bPartSuspended" flag to indicate when the CNC firmware has been placed in
    the suspended state. This will be used in later revisions that support suspending
    a part program in order to jog the machine for a tool change.


Version 2.1a - 26-Sep-96
------------------------
New features
  - Moved all message and prompt text to resource strings.
 
  - Created setup dialogs for the following external controls:
        Start Button
        Block Button
        FHold Button
        Start Indicator
        Block Indicator
        FHold Indicator
        E.Stop Input
        External E.Stop Input
        Drive Fault Input
        Block Skip Switch
        Dryrun Switch
             
    These controls must be connected to the first 16 digital IO channels on the 
    DCX-AT200 motherboard. They should be configured as active high or low as 
    appropriate prior to starting WinCNC program.
            
    E.Stops and Drive Fault channel numbers are sent to DCX-AT200 as part of
    configuration, but CNC firmware revisions prior to 2.1 do not monitor digital I/O.
  - Added tool number to status display.
  - Implemented spindle speed readout on control panel.


Contacting Technical Support
============================
Technical support is available between the hours of 8:00AM and 5:00PM, Pacific 
Time, Monday through Friday. If you write or e-mail a question, please include 
information on the model number and firmware version of the controller you are 
using, the types and quantities of modules installed on the controller, the version 
number of Windows (and MSDOS, if installed), the name and version of the language 
product you are using, and the MCAPI version. Current versions of all PMC drivers, 
applications, and controller firmware are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year 
from the PMC World Wide Web site.

    Precision MicroControl Corp.
    2075-N Corte del Nogal
    Carlsbad, CA 92011 USA

    http://www.pmccorp.com

    Phone 760.930.0101
    Fax 760.930.0222

    Technical Support:      support@pmccorp.com
    General Information:    info@pmccorp.com
    Sales & Availability:   sales@pmccorp.com
    Service Department:     service@pmccorp.com
