What is this written in?

Question

I am dealing with an circa 80's era machine controller. A program is being downloaded to the operator's control panel and for the life of me I can't figure out what it is written.

The machine is a Cybermation 700A plasma cutting machine and here is a snippet of what being download.

Note that this is use to manage the download of cnc files into the machine it is not the motion control program itself. That I actually know how to write. It is this program that is proving to be the stumbling block.

    $70=A
    $72=0
    $73=6900
    $74=150
    $52=0
    $53=-8.516
    $84=200
    $85=0
    $10=0
    $98=0
    $71=0
    $18=0
    $76=.01
    $93=100
    $94=200
    $20=22-26 gauge;$21=.032;$22=260;$23=80;$24=0
    $25=18-20 gauge;$26=.033;$27=180;$28=80;$29=0
    $30=14-16 gauge;$31=.035;$32=150;$33=75;$34=0
    $35=10-12 gauge;$36=.043;$37=90;$38=60;$39=0
    $40=3/16-1/4 plate;$41=.053;$42=30;$43=30;$44=0

    $22=300
    $24=50
    $27=200
    $29=50
    $32=140
    $34=50
    $37=100
    $39=50
    $42=32
    $44=50
    $72=0
    $73=6900
    $74=150
    TV127,1
    $88=-s 30,300
    TV20,60
    TV22,5
    TV23,200
    TV25,6
    TV40,75
    TV42,5
    TV43,400
    TV45,6
    $9=80
    TV8,2500;W20,K99
    TV86,1

    {2
    TV7,$9     
   <1Select Plate
    $6=$5
    Tv112,16
    A
    >1!Torch on $16 min
    <2Enter plate number;V8,6
    >1Plate\:$6
    <2>Are you cutting $20?
    Y;$7=$21;$8=$22;$9=$23
    $71=$24;G3:
    <2>Are you cutting $25?
    Y;$7=$26;$8=$27;$9=$28
    $71=$29;G3:
    <2>Are you cutting $30?
    Y;$7=$31;$8=$32;$9=$33
    $71=$34;G3:
    <2>Are you cutting $35?
    Y;$7=$36;$8=$37;$9=$38
    $71=$39;G3:
    <2>Are you cutting $40?
    Y;$7=$41;$8=$42;$9=$43
    $71=$44;G3:
    G2
    }
    {3
    TV13,$71
    A
    G70
    }

Thanks

Answer 1

I hope to heck that isn't the actual program. It looks like the output from a compiler to me.

I feel your pain

Answer 2

Are you certain that's an actual program, rather than a set of output format control statements for another program?

Answer 3

This is a guess as i do not know your particular machine or any of that age.

Most CNC machines use gcode for programming, what you have there may be "semi compiled" gcode or perhaps a custom but related language.

Answer 4

Cybermation plasma cutter uses Hypertherm HT40C cutting system and Venix running "CFC 800/900 Office System" according to this post. According to Wikipedia Venix ran on DEC PRO-350, DEC Rainbow 100, and on IBM PC.

You could probably contact DEC community who may be familiar with Venix like people in Xhomer project (DEC emulator), or find someone who worked on Cybermation. For example, by Google search I found Bob Donovan who runs consulting service now, but used to work for Cybermation. Inc. - Woburn, MA.

Built and debugged proto-type electro-mechanical designs employing both digital and analog circuitry for a micro-computer controlled three axis flame cutting machine. Interfaced plasma gas torches, routing tools, and servo drive systems for micro-processor control. Guided new product transitions from Engineering to Manufacturing by designing test fixtures, writing test procedures, drafting schematics, creating BOMS, and releasing ECOs. Trained test technicians and assemblers. Programmed the user interface for an NC controller. Wrote diagnostic software using 6801 assembler. Managed and repaired the Administration and Engineering computer network system (VAX 11/750, MicroVAX I & 3100, PCs, terminals, and printers). Managed and programmed the engineering data base. Knowledgeable of the following operating systems and applications: Unix (as well as Ultrix, Venix, & XENIX), DOS, and Windows. Programming experience in C, Basic, CSH/Bourne shell script, and DOS batch files.

I also found the PO box and phone number for Cybermation in Woburn by Googling:

PO BOX 2007.

(781)-938-5555

Answer 5

I think it's in Assembly Language.

It's designed to take inputs from the panel and output parameters to the Machine Control Unit.

It's basically asking what thickness sheet steel the plasma table is cutting, to control the cutting speed.