Hermle C 12 U
The Hermle C 12 U with a TNC6/TNC640-style HEIDENHAIN control can communicate with Reniway Edge through the HEIDENHAIN DNC interface. This guide walks through the CNC-side checks first, then the Reniway Edge connector setup.
What you need
| Necessities | Description |
|---|---|
| Reniway Edge | The edge device or server that will connect to the CNC. |
| Network connection | Ethernet connection between Reniway Edge and the HEIDENHAIN control. |
| HEIDENHAIN DNC | Option 18 must be active on the CNC control. |
| License key | Only needed when Option 18 is not active yet. |
| Machine IP address | Static or reserved IP address of the HEIDENHAIN control. |
| NC type | The control type shown on the CNC, for example TNC640. |
| SSH user and password | Only needed when secure communication is used. |
Preparing the CNC
Start from the main screen of the Hermle control. The screenshots below use a TNC640 interface. The exact menu names can differ slightly between HEIDENHAIN software versions, but the flow is the same: verify the DNC option, make sure the machine is reachable on the network, and allow external access.
Open the MOD menu
Press the MOD key on the HEIDENHAIN control panel.
The control opens the settings and information area. Use this screen to confirm the control type and software version. You will need the NC type later when creating the connector in Reniway Edge.
Check the HEIDENHAIN DNC license
In the MOD menu, select Code-number entry and enter:
SIK
Confirm with ENTER or OK. The control opens the SIK options overview.
Scroll through the list and look for Option 18 - HEIDENHAIN DNC.
- If Option 18 is already active, continue with the network setup.
- If Option 18 is not active, select the option and press SET OPTION.
- Enter the license key exactly as supplied by HEIDENHAIN or the machine builder.
- Confirm with ENTER and restart the control if the CNC asks for it.
For a dedicated license walk-through, see Adding the HEIDENHAIN DNC Option 18 License.
Configure the network
Open the network settings on the HEIDENHAIN control. On many controls this is available from the MOD menu or from the HEROS settings menu.
Check the active Ethernet interface and write down the IP address. A static IP address or DHCP reservation is recommended so the Reniway Edge connector keeps pointing to the same machine.
Make sure the subnet mask and gateway match the machine network. After changing network settings, save the configuration and restart the control if requested.
Allow external access
In the MOD menu, open Machine Settings > External access.
Set DNC access permitted to enabled. This permits external systems such as Reniway Edge to communicate with the control through the HEIDENHAIN DNC interface.
If the setting is locked or changes back after a restart, contact the machine builder or the person responsible for the HEIDENHAIN machine parameters. Some machines protect this setting by policy.
Scroll lower on the same page to reach the secure communication tools.
Review firewall settings
Open Firewall settings from the external access page when the machine network policy requires firewall changes.
For a normal DNC connector, first keep the site-approved firewall settings and only change them when the network test fails or the machine owner asks for a specific rule. If secure communication is used, make sure SSH is allowed according to the local policy.
Configure secure communication
Secure communication is optional. Use it when the machine and site policy require SSH-based access.
From the external access page, open Key management and go to the SSH tab. The screenshots below show the user-specific SSH settings for user user.
If Reniway Edge will use a secure connection, enable Allow password authentication and verify that terminal login is allowed for the selected SSH user. The same username and password must be entered in Reniway Edge.
If no SSH user is configured on the CNC, leave secure communication disabled in Reniway Edge and use the standard HEIDENHAIN DNC connection.
Verify network reachability
From the Reniway Edge network, verify that the CNC IP address is reachable. The simplest check is a ping from the edge device or another PC on the same network.
If the machine is not reachable, check the physical network connection, VLAN, subnet, firewall rules, and the configured IP address on the CNC.
Reniway Edge connection
Open Reniway Edge and add a new HEIDENHAIN connector.
Fill in the connection settings:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | A clear name, for example Hermle C 12 U. |
| Host | The IP address of the HEIDENHAIN control. |
| NC Type | The NC type shown on the control information screen, for example TNC640. |
| Secure | Enable only when secure communication is configured on the CNC. |
| User | SSH username, only when secure communication is enabled. |
| Password | SSH password, only when secure communication is enabled. |
Save the connector and start the connection. When the connection is successful, Reniway Edge will begin receiving HEIDENHAIN machine data such as NC state, active program information, overrides, operating times, and alarms.
Validation
After the connector is connected, check a few live values in Reniway Edge:
- The connector status is connected.
- NC state updates when the machine mode or program state changes.
- Active program information appears when a program is loaded.
- Feed and spindle override values update when changed on the control.
- Active alarms or messages appear when the CNC reports them.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Reniway Edge cannot connect | Wrong IP address or blocked network route | Verify the CNC IP address, subnet, VLAN, and firewall rules. |
| Connection is refused | External access is disabled on the CNC | Enable external access in the MOD menu. |
| DNC option is missing or inactive | HEIDENHAIN DNC Option 18 is not licensed | Activate Option 18 using the license key from HEIDENHAIN or the machine builder. |
| Secure connection fails | SSH user is missing or credentials are wrong | Verify the SSH user on the CNC and re-enter the credentials in Reniway Edge. |
| Connector connects but no values update | Wrong NC type selected | Check the control information screen and select the matching NC type in Reniway Edge. |
Result
The Hermle C 12 U is now prepared for HEIDENHAIN DNC communication and can be used as a live machine data source in Reniway Edge.