NUM Launches New Generation CNC Platform

NUM launches a new generation of its CNC platform, providing machine tool manufacturers with an exceptionally flexible and scalable solution for safe control of machine tools.

Known as Flexium+, the modular safety-equipped platform enables OEMs to standardize on a single-cost and performance-optimized CNC architecture for a vast spectrum of machine types—from small machines with a few axes to large multi-cell manufacturing equipment with more than 200 axes and spindles. In this way, the open architecture of the CNC platform can dramatically lower development and support costs, and speed time to market.

Flexium+ builds on the architecture of NUM's Flexium CNC, the fastest-growing and most successful CNC kernel in NUM's 50 year history. To provide even greater versatility, dynamic performance and accuracy, 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, an extensive suite of optional machining functions, and a powerful 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 technically and economically optimized 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 which 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. In total, a single Flexium+ 68 CNC kernel can accommodate 32 connected devices, any of which can be interpolated axes or spindles. This universal control approach simplifies spindle/C-axis commutation and provides an excellent foundation for multi-spindle applications such as transfer machines.

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