CNC introduced for 3- /4-axis machining centres

Introduced to the UK market at MACH 2006 exhibition, the Heidenhain TNC 320 CNC is intended for the less advanced machine tools, typically three or four axis machining centres.

Following the introduction of the new Heidenhain TNC 320 CNC to the UK market at MACH 2006 Heidenhain is now offering a mid range control to complement its class-leading TNC 530.

The TNC 320, which replaces the current TNC 310, is aimed at less sophisticated machine tools, typically three or four axis machining centres.

It is the first Heidenhain CNC to feature the company's new NC Kernel or internal operating system.

This new system offers users far greater modularity, meaning it is far more flexible in how it can be used and applied.

In its basic form the TNC 320 has four control loops (three closed-loop axes plus a servo-controlled spindle).

Through use of various options, this can be expanded to four closed-loop axes plus a servo-controlled spindle with positional input or five closed-loop axes plus a spindle without servo control or positional input.

In addition to the market for the less-sophisticated machine tool, Heidenhain also sees great potential for the TNC 320 in the retrofit market.

By retaining analogue control the TNC 320 provides a cost-effective upgrade option.

"The UK market remains strong for retrofitting," said Neil Prescott of Heidenhain (GB).

"The TNC 320 will be applied where the top-of-the-range 530 would previously have been used.

The result should be reduced costs, in some cases by as much as 66% in the case of an analogue to analogue retrofit." The advantage on older machines is that the full benefit of digital upgrades can never be fulfilled, simply because of the machine's design limitations.

Instrumental in helping to reduce retrofit costs is the feature of the TNC 320 whereby all cabling is connected within the control pendant and not in the control cabinet.

This is a configuration that was much favoured in the past with analogue controls and, therefore, the requirement for machine rewiring is kept to a minimum.

While Heidenhain is marketing the TNC 320 as a mid-range CNC system it includes, as standard, many features that would normally be only found on high-end control systems.

Among these are the 15in TFT screen; 3D graphics; extensive i/o capability as standard; 10Mb compact Flash card for program memory; integrated diagnostics for machine and NC program errors; mid-program start-up in any block; and machining time calculation.

As far as the user of the TNC 320 is concerned, the changeover will appear seamless as existing Heidenhain programs can be run on the new control and the interface will be familiar, eliminating the expense and time required for re-training.

Existing probes and handwheels are also compatible with the TNC 320.

"With the development of the TNC 320 in conjunction with the new NC Kernel we are, in effect, starting a new timeline for Heidenhain control systems," said Prescott.

"The NC Kernel will now form the basis for all future Heidenhain controls and technologies.

The in-built modularity makes it very adaptable while maintaining a underlying simplicity of application.".

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