NUM Launches CNC Platform With Enhanced Machine Control

Photo Credit: NUM

CNC specialist NUM has launched a new CNC platform that sets fresh performance benchmarks in machine control.

NUM’s FlexiumPro CNC platform makes  advancements on the calculation power, speed, connectivity and reliability of the company’s previous-generation Flexium+ CNC system.

FlexiumPro’s real-time kernel (RTK) hosts an embedded Codesys V3 PLC and a CNC unit. Based on a multi-core ARM processor, the RTK is implemented using advanced system-on-chip (SoC) technology. This technology is said to reduce the component count, resulting in improved system reliability and compactness. The single-board and fan-less design of the RTK unit is 25 mm wide.

FlexiumPro’s operating system reduces latency and obviates the time overheads of complex ‘soft’ operating systems; every aspect of the hardware and firmware is optimized to maximize machine precision and performance, while delivering secure connectivity.

Compared to its Flexium+ predecessor, the new system is reportedly more than 10X faster — from boot time and block-per-second execution, to axis control, PLC/CNC data exchange, robot and peripheral input/output interfaces.

The PLC application, part programs, machine configuration, calibration data, etc., are all safely saved on a removable microSD card – and to secure shutdown processes, the FlexiumPro RTK incorporates super-capacitors, which keep the system alive for the time needed to save all data in the case of hard power off.

FlexiumPro’s behavioral and functional aspects include control of up to 32 axes and/or spindles, up to 32 machining channels and sub-nanometer interpolation capabilities. The system supports rotation tool center point (RTCP) and high-speed cutting (HSC) functions, as well as a number of technology-specific functions and machining cycles.

NUM has also developed an innovative user interface for FlexiumPro that can incorporate individual OEM-defined modules with integrated features related to the technology.

NUM’s new FlexiumPro dual-layer human-machine interface (HMI) significantly simplifies this aspect of machine tool design. The functionality of the underlying user interface modules (UIMs) can easily be defined, modified and saved by OEMs, facilitating the creation of highly ergonomic application-specific HMIs. This new approach to user/machine interaction uses the latest software technologies — WPF for the UIMs and C# for the software development kit (SDK) — to maximize speed and resource management.