NUM Launches Flexium+ CNC Platform

By DE Editors

NUM has launched a new generation of its Flexium+ CNC platform. The modular safety-equipped platform enables OEMs to standardize on a single cost- and performance-optimized CNC architecture for a variety of machine types, including small machines with a few axes to large, multi-cell manufacturing equipment with over 200 axes and spindles.

According to the company, Flexium+ builds on the architecture of NUM's Flexium CNC. The platform's hardware includes new digital servodrive modules with integrated safety, a safety PLC module, safe input and output modules, and a multi-processor operator panel with touch-sensitive screen. New support software includes a precision operating system and soft automation PLC, complete with a fully customizable human-machine interface (HMI) that recognizes touch gestures, a suite of optional machining functions, and a 3D simulator for part program verification and visualization of machining processes.

A choice of three CNC kernels (Flexium+ 6, Flexium+ 8 and Flexium+ 68) enables machine designers to deploy solutions for different machine tool applications. Flexium+ 6 and Flexium+ 8 will control up to four interpolated axes and a spindle, where Flexium+ 8 is dedicated to machines that need a higher degree of flexibility. Flexium+ 68 supports larger and more complex machine control applications and provides up to eight CNC channels, each accommodating up to nine interpolated axes and as many as 32 spindles.

Multiple Flexium+ 68 CNC kernels can be interconnected via real-time Ethernet, which enables the realization of control systems with more than 200 interpolating axes.

Flexium+ includes a system-wide safety architecture known as NUMSafe. All critical system operations are overseen by a new safety PLC module. In conjunction with new NUM safe I/O modules and servodrives, the safety PLC enables machine designers to implement high-integrity safety functions with very few additional components, the company says.

All CNC, servodrive, I/O, automation PLC and safety PLC functions are set up and programmed using a single tool; the automation PLC offers a choice of IEC 61131-3 compliant graphical and textual programming languages, while the safety PLC is programmed using simple function blocks and Boolean operators.

Manually-written or CAM-generated part programs can be verified and optimized using NUM's Flexium 3D graphical simulation software on an offline PC. Alternatively, the software runs on the new operator panel. As standard, the software can simulate a variety of machining functions including grooving, thread cutting and tapping on 3- to 5-axis turning machines, milling and drilling on 3-axis machines, and contour cutting.

For more information, visit NUM.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.