Fanuc CNCs offer better support for punch presses, lasers and transfer lines

The developments are features of Fanuc CNC's Series 30i/31i/32i Model B (or 3xi-B for short), which are said to be ideal for sophisticated and complex machine tools, with outstanding features that include a large number of axes and multichannel capability. Compared to previous models, the new B Series features significant advancements, numerous detail improvements and additional functions for punch presses and laser cutting machines. Fanuc has also introduced a new member to the Fanuc controller family: the CNC 35i-B Series, based on the technology of the 30i-B Series and developed primarily for transfer line and handling applications. The servo system for the new generation of controllers and drives brings major improvements. A new high-speed servo-processor increases the basic output of the digital axis drive, enabling a much higher number of axes to be activated without the need for an additional board. The new FSSB (FANUC Serial Servo Bus) is even faster and offers a decisive advantage: it now transfers spindle data. Servo and spindle amplifiers are connected to the CNC control by a single optical cable. The reduced wiring complexity saves time and cuts costs, while eliminating potential sources of fault. The advantage of optical data transfer over electrical cable transfer is that it greatly minimises the system's susceptibility to faults. Other improvements in the servo system are new Alpha i servo amplifiers, which use low-loss power devices designed to help save energy. The new pulse coder backup unit has a rechargeable battery and charging circuit, which eliminates the need for battery replacement. The integrated programmable controller – PMC – has been upgraded for higher performance. The high-speed PMC of Model B controllers is three times as fast as in the previous controller, and program memory has tripled. And I/O Link I is a high performance successor to the previous I/O Link.. The new link can transmit twice as many PMC DI/DO signals per channel and allows 24 groups to be connected as compared to the previous 16. This also benefits the integrated Dual Check Safety function, because a single I/O Link i cable is all that is needed to transfer the secure signals. No additional channel is required. Use of the I/O Link i also opens up new diagnostic options. A so-called precision fault detector allows the user to determine whether a digital output is not functioning properly or is disconnected. The source of fault is then displayed on the CNC screen, thus significantly reducing diagnostic times. Another user-friendly feature is a USB port which allows the use of USB storage media for data input and output. A USB stick can be used for transferring data instead of the customary Compact Flash card, thus freeing up the CF card for use as an additional non-volatile program memory for the CNC.