Three levels of control for Kasto sawing machines and storage systems

Kasto’s BasicControl CNC system offers a choice of three different controls for its sawing machines and storage systems. BasicControl is an entry level CNC positioned below EasyControl, which comes with database functionality, while the top end TechnoControl is suitable for the most demanding requirements. All controls come with an Ethernet interface to enable remote diagnostics and allow interfacing with a customer’s host computer or a Kasto inventory control computer, KASTOlvr. Operation of the controls is via a colour touch screen. When designing the interfaces and developing the software, Kasto paid particular attention to standardised sequences. For the first time, the company has been able to implement a uniform look and feel to all its saw controls and those used for the storage systems. The advantage for the customer is quicker training across the different controls and equipment types. The previous combination of hardware, PLC and operating terminal has given way to decentralised I/O, interfaced via fieldbus for real-time distributed control. The PLC has been programmed and configured using the Siemens STEP 7 development software tool. One base program is used for controls fitted to each machine group, eg horizontal bandsaws, leading to a reduction in errors at the time of software development and assisting with service support.