EtherCAT CNC Controller NControl20 Helps Developers Flex Design Muscles

NEXCOM has released the EtherCAT CNC Controller NControl20 to give CNC machine makers high level of flexibility in machine design. Built on a PC-based open architecture, the EtherCAT NControl20 allows extensive expansion of axes and control nodes, features a configurable hardware platform, and supports customized HMI design and precision enhancement with CNC control software. The flexible hardware and software configuration makes the NControl20 an apt CNC controller for atypical 2D½ machining as well as common lathing, milling, grinding etc.

The EtherCAT CNC controller NControl20 has three control axes plus two auxiliary axes by default and can be adapted with a total of 64 axes for a maximum of 24 CNC channels. The NControl20 provides an IEC 61131-3 development environment for axis programming and supports a considerable amount of control nodes, for instance, drive and remote I/O. The NControl20 is ideal for use in process-intensive machining of multi-tasking machine centers.

The NControl20 allows flexible configuration. Not only can the NControl20 be used as single unit, but it can also be paired with NEXCOM Industrial Touch Monitor APPD series or Factory Panel PC FPPC series to provide human machine interface for operators. Furthermore, the NControl20 can support two operating systems to run such as shop-floor applications and part programming simultaneously.

The CNC Controller NControl20 is installed with CNC control software which features customized HMI design, computer-aided accuracy enhancement, and general and application-specific functionality. Users can create a HMI layout from scratch and use dynamic-link library (DDL) to create a data view that is tailor made for different CNC machine centers.

Error compensation functions including backlash compensation, pitch compensation, volumetric compensation, and cross compensation are built in the NControl20 or available by request to improve the precision of machine centers. A wide set of functions, ranging from machine plot, path view to block retrace is provided to help users monitor machining processes. Look ahead and polynomial interpolation are designed for high speed machining. Moreover, the NControl20 offers an optional offline simulator to give developers a chance to verify toolpaths and to detect errors prior to the test run.

As a PC-based EtherCAT CNC controller, the NControl20 is a part of factory-of-things which can help materialize advanced manufacturing. The NControl20 is equipped with network connectivity which not only makes it possible to remotely configure, calibrate, and monitor CNC machine centers but also aligns manufacturing operations with sales objectives to achieve lean manufacturing.

Main Features

• EtherCAT protocols controlling up to 64 axes
• Support ISO 6983 G Code and IEC 61131-3
• Customized layout of control program
• Look ahead speed planning up to 1024 blocks
• Multi-block retrace up to 64 blocks
• Remote engineering and diagnostics via Ethernet
• Support gantry axes
• Optional multiple CNC channels up to 24 channels

Ordering Information

NControl20

2D½ CNC Controller for Machining and Turning Center with WinCE 6.0

NControl20D

2D½ CNC Controller for Machining and Turning Center with WinCE 6.0 and WE2009

Optional Accessories
C-101 Coupler

OPENrio EtherCAT bus coupler

E-101 Module

OPENrio 16 digital input block

E-201 Module

OPENrio 16 digital output block

E-202 Module

OPENrio 4 x 2A digital output block

E-501 Module

OPENrio 2 analog input and 2 analog output block