Reliable, Integratable, Scaleable Control

Clean-sheet engineering has created a control that sets new standards in ruggedness, scalability, ease of integration, and affordability – Freedom NC200 machine control system. Modular plug-and-play design allows the Freedom NC200 to be configured to different performance and price points – matched to current application needs, yet easily and economically "grown" with field upgradeable modules as requirements change. Applications range from general milling and drilling, to high-speed machining and data-intensive die/mold processing.

The controls-manufacturing division of MAG Industrial Automation Systems (MAG), Infimatic was created to bring machine builder/machinist experiences and expectations to control design. Thirteen MAG machine tool companies contributed to the design optimization of the powerful, modular control platform.

Named for its application adaptability, the Freedom NC200 is capable of controlling up to nine axes, five of which can be simultaneously interpolated. Servo system setup and maintenance is made simple with ServoScan – a technology that automatically populates critical control parameters and other pertinent data upon power up.

The Freedom NC200 features diskless flash memory, fanless cooling, wire-free surface-mount board construction, advanced protection circuitry, and near-elimination of moving parts – providing reliability in demanding conditions. Sizing the control to user needs minimizes energy use, as does fanless cooling and an ultra-efficient EcoVerter servo system – reflecting MAG's "green" commitment. The plug-and-play servo system, upgradeable CPUs, distributed I/O capability, and ETHERNET Powerlink communications give the control great application flexibility.

Designed to the needs of the machine operator, the machine interface enables call-up of any function or operation in three button presses or less. An LED light ring around function buttons gives quick-glance indication, even from a distance, whether a function is activated. The control's 32-bit color display accommodates 2D or 3D graphics. Vericode, a concise, color-coded NC editor, provides real-time syntax and semantic verifications that simplify functionality and assure quick, accurate part programming. A one-piece fascia for the control panel provides water-tight, washdown capability.

Comprehensive productivity enhancing software includes control-resident GibbsCAM SFP (shop floor programming). The integrated CAM package is more intuitive, flexible and scalable than traditional "conversational" programming systems – empowering operators to rapidly create programs for part geometries that range from simple to extremely complex.

The control system easily evolves with production needs. Input/output functions can be housed in the electrical cabinet or field-mounted. "Software on Demand" allows automatic application configuration. For faster block processing speeds, the main unit can be upgraded with a more powerful processor through simple plug-and-play hardware. The Freedom NC200 Duet option offers multiple high-performance CPUs for the most challenging high-speed machining applications.