New generation of its CNC platform

Known as Flexium+, the modular safety-equipped platform enables OEMs to standardise on a single cost- and performance-optimised CNC architecture for a vast spectrum of machine types - from small machines with a few axes to large multi-cell manufacturing equipment with over 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 customisable human-machine interface (HMI) that recognises touch gestures, an extensive suite of optional machining functions, and a powerful 3D simulator for part program verification and visualisation of machining processes.
A choice of three CNC kernels, Flexium+ 6, Flexium+ 8 and Flexium+ 68, enables machine designers to deploy technically and economically optimised 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.
"Being able to use one CNC architecture across a complete range of machines gives a very large payback, especially for the many small to medium sized machine tool builders that support a broad range of applications using limited design resources", says NUM's CEO Peter von Rueti.
An enhanced part program structure enables machine designers to take full advantage of the new CNC hardware's versatility. Each channel runs its own part program asynchronously and operates autonomously, much as if it had a dedicated CNC kernel, or it can be synchronised to other channels. Control of one or more axes or spindles can be passed from one channel to another on-the-fly to maximise use of available hardware resources.
In each channel, four spindles can be operated in a master/auxiliary arrangement, with real-time control of their speed, direction and indexing. This simplifies implementation of complex machining operations. The master handles advanced CNC functions such as maintaining CSS (constant surface speed) while the workpiece changes diameter during processing, or continuously tracking angular position during thread cutting, with the three auxiliary spindles handling associated higher speed machining.

Multiple Flexium+ 68 CNC kernels can be interconnected via real-time Ethernet, which enables the realisation of control systems with more than 200 interpolating axes. The ability to drive multiple CNC kernels and control this number of axes with a single automation PLC is a unique advantage of NUM's CNC architecture.

To help OEMs implement rigorous machine safety schemes, Flexium+ introduces a comprehensive system-wide safety architecture known as NUMSafe. All critical system operations are overseen by a new safety PLC module. In conjunction with new NUM safe I/O modules and servodrives - which incorporate sNew Arrivals