Touchscreen Technology for Quick, Intuitive Contouring Control and Connected Machining

The compact TNC 620 contouring control from Heidenhain Corporation (Schaumburg, IL) now combines workshop-oriented operational design and conversational programming with the latest in touchscreen technology. The TNC 620 control with touchscreen is operated by gestures, similar to smartphones or tablet PCs, so the operator can navigate quickly and intuitively through long lists, programs, tables and other content by what is known as kinetic scrolling: a slow, brief swiping movement results in scrolling over a few lines, while a longer and quick movement leads to dynamic scrolling over many lines. With a short tap, the user can stop the dynamic scrolling at any time, making it possible to easily find an NC block, for example, or a tool in long NC programs or tool tables. In the 3D test mode, zooming in and out as well as moving and rotating objects is particularly helpful. And a pop-up keyboard appears for text input.

The new MC 8410 main computer with touchscreen technology in the TNC 620 corresponds to the MC 7410 in the prior system with this functionality. For the machine builder, a newly designed machine control panel MB 721 with or without Functional Safety is also available with the touchscreen. It features three optional elements that can be assigned to additional keys, key switches, or a USB connection and provides potentiometers for feed and spindle speed. The previous MC 7410 has also been revised and is now available in a new variant. It can be used with the new MB 721 (FS) and enables the OEM to use the MB 721 (FS) as a standard and choose between the MC 8410 with touchscreen or the conventional MC 7410 main computer. Both units have an Intel Celeron Ivy Bridge processor, Dual Core with 1.4GHz and 2 GB RAM memory.

On the software side of the TNC 620, the large range of standard cycles for milling, drilling and boring machines and optional probing functionality remain compatible with older control versions. TNCs remain some of the leading controls in both prototyping and manufacturing due to their high contour fidelity, high speed and superb surface finish. The TNC 620 comes standardized as 4-axis control, but can optionally be extended to 5-axis simultaneously operation. An option with TNC controls is the StateMonitor software for CNC manufacturing personnel who are implementing connected systems as part of the Industry 4.0 initiative. It connects with PC systems to allow the user to view data and evaluate control processes remotely and in real-time.

Designed to highlight data usage and time-saving workflow methods, as well as provide transparent processes, the StateMonitor user will know the current status of their machine always and everywhere. They can configure this per project requirements, use it as needed, and evaluate it very easily and quickly to work more efficiently and productively. StateMonitor captures, visualizes and evaluates the status of connected machines and displays it on any networked terminals. It could be a TNC control in production, for example, at which the statuses of several machines are displayed centrally. Or a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone, so that the TNC user can also leave his machine to get new tools from the warehouse or the tool preparation area. PCs can also be included in the company network, then the TNC user can create new NC programs in a quiet office instead of in the loud workshop without losing sight of his machines. In meetings, the user can present up-to-date information about ongoing processes. StateMonitor visualizes the status of the connected machines in clear-cut charts and graphs.

StateMonitor is part of the Connected Machining functional package that combines systems for the completely individual networking of production. This includes the DNC interface, Remote Desktop Manager and the enhanced display function Extended Workspace, as well as other applications with which the TNC user can receive and use digital job data in the workshop. As worldwide manufacturing trends towards connectivity and digital networking, these systems place the user at the center of digital order management through the control of their milling or turning machine. Connected Machining deliberately makes control of the machine in the workshop the focal point of digital order management, consistently pursuing what already began with the established TNC control. Even a simple TNC control system with its standard functions integrated into the company network via Ethernet offers a wide range of options for receiving and using digital job data directly on the control. Beyond this, the following control systems and options are now also offered:

• The StateMonitor software creates transparent processes through data acquisition and data analysis.
• The Remote Desktop Manager (option 133) allows access to PCs and the installed software right at the control.
• The DNC interface (option 18) connects the control to enterprise-resource planning and production-activity control systems.
• The Extended Workspace display provides clear representation and processing of the job data on the machine.

Heidenhain Corporation, 333 East State Parkway, Schaumburg, IL 60173, 847-884-4761, jrenz@heidenhain.com, www.heidenhain.us.