CNC Controls: Architecture Overview

CNC controls architecture overview
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CNC Controls


The FlashCut CNC controls are composed of the following four parts:

FlashCut CNC Software
The FlashCut CNC Software running under Windows is the operator control panel.   It sends real time motion commands to the Signal Generator over a high speed serial link.

Signal Generator
The Signal Generator uses it's own microprocessor to generate precision-timed step and direction signals to drive up to four stepper or digital servo drivers with full 3-D interpolation using "Continuous Contouring."

Motor Drive Box
The Motor Drive Box, stepper or servo, provides the power to directly control up to 4 motors. Servo Drive Boxes use position feedback from encoders to maintain a true position.

Motors
The Motors move the axes on the machine precisely as commanded by the FlashCut CNC System.

Stepper vs Servo

Stepper motor control is the most cost-effective way to control a machine tool. The accuracy is exceptional, and the price is very reasonable. The only limitation is that the maximum speeds for rapid moves and cutting moves are not as high as for servo control.

Servo control uses feedback from an encoder to constantly monitor the machine tool's exact position. Using the feedback signals, the control system can achieve very high speeds and perfect accuracy, even under very strenuous conditions.


The FlashCut CNC Controls provide the most robust architecture.