FANUC NAMED TOP GLOBAL INNOVATOR BY THOMSON REUTERS
Provided By
FANUC FA America
FANUC Corporation, the world’s most diversified manufacturer of CNC Systems, Robots and Machine Tools, has recently been named by Thomson Reuters as a 2011 Top 100 Global InnovatorSM. This new Thomson Reuters program is an initiative that recognizes the world’s most innovative organizations as a result of analyzing patent data and related metrics in a proprietary methodology.
Thomson Reuters Top Global InnovatorsSM program evaluates innovation performance of companies that invent on a significant scale, work on developments that are acknowledged as innovative by others around the world and whose inventions are globally protected due to their importance.
The Thomson Reuters 2011 Top 100 Global InnovatorSM methodology is based on four principle criteria: patent approval success rate, global reach of patent portfolio, patent influence in literature citations and overall patent volume. The peer-reviewed methodology was executed using the Thomson Reuters Derwent World Patents Index® (DWPI), Derwent Patents Citations Index™, Quadrilateral Patent Index™, and Thomson Innovation®, the IP and intelligence collaboration platform. Comparative financial analysis was done using the Thomson Reuters Eikon platform, the single source for turning financial information into action.
This is the second top innovation recognition that FANUC has received in 2011. Forbes magazine also named FANUC one of the top 100 companies on their “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list.
Since its inception in 1956, FANUC has contributed to the automation of machine tools as a pioneer in the development of CNC equipment. FANUC’s innovative technology has contributed to a worldwide manufacturing revolution, which evolved from the automation of a single machine to the automation of entire production lines. Today, FANUC has more than 600 engineers working in R&D to provide the most reliable, efficient and innovative CNC systems available - ensuring the very lowest Total Cost of Ownership.
With 50 years of experience and more than 2,200,000 CNCs and 220,000 robots installed worldwide, FANUC is the undeniable global leader in CNC and robotics.
(Top 100 Global InnovatorSM, Derwent World Patents Index® (DWPI), Derwent Patents Citations Index™, Quadrilateral Patent Index™ and Thomson Innovation® are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters.)
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FANUC NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 100 ON THE “WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES” LIST IN FORBES MAGAZINE
Provided By
FANUC FA America
FANUC Corporation, the world’s most diversified manufacturer of CNC Systems, Robots and Machine Tools, has been named as one of the Top 100 companies on the “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list recently published in Forbes magazine. This list recognizes the world’s leading-edge corporations that are most likely to continue to succeed today and in the future.
This recently released list in Forbes is based on a comprehensive 8-year study completed by professors and advisors in which they discovered that particular skills identify business innovators. Additionally, they determined that calculating a company’s value plus anticipated growth fueled by new innovative products will identify the most innovative companies. Quantifying their findings lead to developing a specific measure that was used to rank the world’s most innovative companies. Embedded in each of these companies is a code for innovation, discernible in their people, processes and philosophies. This innovation creates a demand for their products now and in the future.
Since its inception in 1956, FANUC has contributed to the automation of machine tools as a pioneer in the development of CNC equipment. FANUC’s technology has contributed to a worldwide manufacturing revolution, which evolved from the automation of a single machine to the automation of entire production lines. Today, FANUC has more than 600 engineers working in R&D to provide the most reliable, efficient and innovative CNC systems available—ensuring the very lowest Total Cost of Ownership.
With 50 years of experience and more than 2.2 million CNCs and 220,000 robots installed worldwide, FANUC is the undeniable global leader in CNC and robotics.
(Forbes is a registered trademark of Forbes Media LLC.)
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FANUC INTRODUCES iLimitS CNC SOFTWARE OPTION FOR MACHINE PROCESS MONITORING AND SPINDLE LOAD LIMITING FOR MACHINE AND PART PROTECTION
FANUC INTEGRATES iAdapt®S ADAPTIVE CONTROL SOLUTION IN THE CNC FOR INCREASED MACHINE TOOL PRODUCTIVITY
FANUC AUTO ARCHITECTURE - CONNECTIVITY TO ROCKWELL AUTOMATION CONTROL ENVIRONMENTS AFTER RELEASING ETHERNET/IP OPEN FIELD BUS OPTION FOR 3xi-B CNCs
Provided By
FANUC FA America
FANUC FA America, the largest CNC organization in the Americas, unveils a new automotive architecture demonstrating connectivity to Rockwell Automation programmable automation controller (PAC) environments at imX (Sept 12 – 14 in Las Vegas, Booths # 2722 & #2708). As a result of the release of EtherNet/IP field bus connectivity for its Series 3xi-B CNCs, FANUC furthers our commitment to open interconnectivity of our CNCs to factory automation solutions.
To demonstrate the simplicity of EtherNet/IP integration and connectivity, FANUC FA America will be presenting a newly integrated automotive machining cell architecture at imX in the FANUC booth in conjunction with Rockwell Automation. The use of an EtherNet/IP network architecture will allow customers to leverage common tools and technology for device configuration and maintenance across both CNC and PAC cell environments. By leveraging integrated CNC and PAC environments, end-users and machine tool builders will benefit from a simplified architecture, improved productivity and actionable information across the entire manufacturing enterprise.
"The release of EtherNet/IP positions FANUC FA America to provide customers with cost effective, simplified automation solutions,” said Tomoaki Ishibe, president, FANUC FA America. “And to demonstrate the simplicity of EtherNet/IP, FANUC FA America will exhibit a new EtherNet/IP based automotive architecture in conjunction with Rockwell Automation at imX. This will be a great example of how two independent automation companies, both leaders in their respective industry segments, can easily interface CNC and PAC products to provide optimized factory automation solutions using common tools and technology.”
“We are excited to be able to demonstrate our PAC connectivity with FANUC CNCs, the world’s leading CNC company, at imX in the FANUC booth. This integrated automotive architecture will provide real value to our mutual customers across the total life cycle of their automation assets,” said Joe Kann, vice president of global business development , Rockwell Automation.
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FANUC INTRODUCES FASCONNECT SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR NETWORK DISTRIBUTED DATA MANAGEMENT WITH FANUC CNC EQUIPPED MACHINE TOOLS
Provided By
FANUC FA America
FANUC Factory Automation (FANUC FA America) introduces FOCAS Automation Solution Connect (FASConnect) software solution for network distributed data management for FANUC CNC equipped machine tools. FASConnect is a simple distributed network solution to CNC data management that is easy to use, cost effective, FANUC CNC specific, scalable and has support for older FANUC CNCs.
FASConnect allows CNC data management of all the machines in the factory from any computer on the network. “Backup all your FANUC CNCs and manage your part programs from anywhere on the network without going down to the factory floor” states Paul Webster, Product Engineering Manager at FANUC FA America. Designed with ease of use in mind, once the service is configured no software is required except what is included in Windows®. Additionally, incremental licensing allows for everyone from the small shops to the largest automotive plant to use this software cost effectively. FASConnect is FANUC CNC specific, developed by FANUC for use with FANUC CNC equipped machine tools. “FASConnect was designed by FANUC for FANUC to support the data management requirements of the industry” states Webster. FASConnect was designed to address the needs of factories of any size as it is scalable from 2 to 22 simultaneous users, from 10 to unlimited CNC connections and multiple ‘servers’ are possible. HSSB support for older CNCs is also possible (dedicated PC needed in this case).
FASConnect is a software only solution that installs as a Windows® service on a central computer. This computer becomes the ‘server’ and once configured it allows access to all the FANUC CNC systems that are on the plant network. FANUC CNC systems going back to the late 1990s are capable of Ethernet communication to the plant network and older FANUC CNC systems can utilize FANUC HSSB fiber optic communication. FASConnect can communicate with all of these systems going back to ~1994. This allows for a single solution for almost 2 decades of FANUC CNC controls.
FASConnect is the Server side of a Client/Server type application. So, the main application is installed on a central PC and then accessed either locally on that central “server” PC or remotely from a “client” PC that can be located elsewhere on the same network. FASConnect uses the common File Transfer Protocol (FTP) for a high degree of compatibility. The connected CNCs can then be accessed as if they were folders on a computer both locally from the computer in which software was installed on and remotely from computers throughout the network. No client software is required as FASConnect uses the standard Windows® Explorer as the client. Up to 22 simultaneous users can connect using standard the Windows® Explorer built into the PC.
With FASConnect the CNC data is presented in a folder/file structure in Windows® Explorer. This is the same easy format that any PC users will recognize. The CNC data files can be dragged and dropped for backup, and the files themselves can be opened with any text editor and are easily readable.
Since FASConnect software installs as a service in Windows®, it can be run without a user login or desktop interaction that may allow a user to accidentally terminate the software. Built-in security allows for only backing up of the critical CNC data. Writing of part programs to the CNC is possible as long as the user has the correct credentials (username/password). This reduces the risk of CNC data being compromised but allows for remote part program management by the programmer, without going down to the machine. The FASConnect service will run on Windows XP®, Windows 7® or Windows Server® 2008. Clients can be any Windows® based computer.
FASConnect was designed to address the needs of factories of any size by using incremental licensing. Incremental licensing allows the purchase of only the number of connections and users that are needed at the time, and as the factory grows, additional connections or even new ‘server’ installations can be added at any time. A simple 2 user 10 CNC installation is extremely affordable and the installation can scale up from there. User licensing is for simultaneous connections and is offered from 2 to 22 simultaneous users. CNC connections are unlimited and offered in packs of 10.
CNC Systems get more complicated as time goes on, but the solutions to data management continue to use antiquated technology and manual processes. The current software solutions that do exist are typically complicated and expensive plant-wide solutions that do not adequately address the needs of CNC machines.
Traditionally end users have not actively backed up their CNC machines or used a manual method where someone went around from machine to machine backing them up by archaic RS232 communication to a PC on the shop floor or with a memory card. These methods are difficult, time consuming and failure prone. Program management has been the reverse, where someone needed to walk the program down to the CNC or an operator had to actively pull the program from the network while at the machine. FASConnect solves these problems by allowing CNC data management of all the machines in the factory from a central location.
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FANUC CNC AMERICA’S ALREADY POWERFUL 0i-D CNC CONTROL OFFERS NEWLY ENHANCED FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY
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FANUC FA America
FANUC FA America announces innovative, yet cost effective newly enhanced features and functionality for the already powerful 0i-D and 0i-Mate-D CNC Controls. The 0i-D features Nano CNC resolution for ultra high precision measured in nanometers and has an ultra compact design with high reliability utilizing limited cabling and easy maintenance. This CNC control is suitable for many machining applications and is available in both Milling (0i-MD) and Turning (0i-TD) versions.
The newly enhanced features to the 0i-D, an already technology-packed control, include:
- Max total controlled axis increased to 8 axes (milling model) and 11 axes (turning model)
- Al Contour Control II (milling model) uses a state-of-the-art ultra high-speed processor allowing high-speed machining of complex free form parts which are programmed in continuous small block segments
- Nano Smoothing (milling model) smooths surfaces by converting small block segment programs into smooth NURB surfaces in real time
- Jerk Control (milling model) for smooth acceleration with less machine jerking
- Enhanced Tool Management (milling & turning models)
- Retraction for Rigid Tapping (turning model) for cycle time reduction
- The Oi-Mate-D, an ideal mix of technology and affordability, also has upgraded features including:
- 2 Max Spindles (turning model)
- Spindle Control with Servo Motor (turning model) for use with live tooling for turning centers
- Nano Interpolation
- Axis control by PMC allows for programmed axis by control MTD Logic
- Grinding Function for canned cycles
- NC Guide/NC Guide Pro provides useful graphical programming guidance for parts programming at the CNC controller
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FANUC REACHES MILESTONE OF MANUFACTURING OVER 10 MILLION SERVO MOTORS
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FANUC FA America
FANUC recently reached the milestone of manufacturing over 10 million servo motors with 40,000 large servo motors from 100Nm to 3000Nm continuous torque.
In metal forming and injection molding, servo systems are being utilized as a replacement to hydraulic actuators or a constant speed motor with flywheel. The machines that see benefits to large AC servo motors are those that require higher precision or flexibility. A large servo system improves productivity and provides a rapid ROI when compared to hydraulic or flywheel based machines.
General benefits to a synchronous servo solution:
- Controllability – Using advanced digital drives makes a high degree of controllability possible.
- Reliability – No brushes, servo values, etc., to fail.
- Long Life – Only the bearing life limits the overall lifespan.
- Higher RPM – Using a PWM drive makes higher speeds possible.
- Accuracy – Fully closed loop systems. FANUC large servo motors come standard with a 1 million PPR encoder with a 16 million PPR option.
- Acceleration – The rotor can be lower weight and utilize rare earth magnets easily lowering inertia and increasing torque. These factors allow these motors to accelerate rapidly.
- Energy Savings – Power line regeneration during deceleration saves up to 50% over a hydraulic or standard electric system.
- Environmental Concerns – Noise, oil use and shop air are all reduced.
- Safety – The control system can utilize redundant monitoring of critical components needed to be compliant with machine safety requirements.
- Maintenance – The control system contains many diagnostics and messages reducing the mean time to repair.
FANUC offers servo motors up to 530KW peak power output. Up to 4 drives can be used to control one motor and up to 8 motors can be driven in tandem to provide large design flexibility and output power that can control the very large stamping presses. All our motors use digital drives, are PWM controlled and all the large motors use power line regeneration for lower cost of operation.
FANUC servo technology has won awards for its technology and energy savings abilities.
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FANUC FA AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW LASER C SERIES HIGH-PERFORMANCE LASER BUNDLES WITH NEW FANUC L SERIES (LASER) CNC CONTROL FOR LASER CUTTING MACHINES
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FANUC FA America
FANUC Factory Automation introduces a full range of complete laser bundles in the new Laser C series which pair a full FANUC laser source with a new FANUC L series (laser) CNC control system. The new FANUC laser bundles are complete, fully integrated laser solutions which include FANUC laser source, FANUC CNC laser, control, amplifiers and servo motors that are designed to optimize performance, speed and accuracy. The new Laser C series is designed to be a compact, high performance and highly reliable system and features five newly enhanced laser models; C6000i / C5000i / C4000i / C2000i / C1000i – MODEL C. These newly enhanced lasers, when paired with the new FANUC L (laser) CNC control provide extended preventative maintenance, energy savings, and more intelligent, responsive and flexible laser cutting.
As part of the FANUC laser-bundled solution, all necessary laser control and diagnostics are integrated into the CNC. Historical data for maintenance purposes is logged and can be accessed via the CNC screen. The laser source communicates with the CNC via an optical bus. No additional controller is required, and no further work is required by the machine manufacturer to ensure effective communication between the laser and CNC. Furthermore, the enhanced diagnostics with predictive maintenance features continue the charge forth in the quest for excellence.
Extended Preventative Maintenance periods developed with consolidated service routine intervals deliver the unrivaled FANUC reliability with a reduction in consumables and reduced downtime.
Energy savings were a high priority with the newly enhanced models. The C6000i/ C5000i / C4000i / C2000i / C1000i – MODEL C come equipped with a new power saving function. Two power saving states are available; Eco Power Saving state in which electric power consumption is dramatically saved and the other is Quick Power Saving state in which laser cutting can be restarted quickly. The overall result is a significant reduction of power consumption during stand-by.
The flagship models, FANUC C6000i / C4000i / C2000i – MODEL C, high-performance carbon dioxide laser sources are 6kW, 4kW and 2kW respectively. The new FANUC -L series CNC control, offered as standard on the Laser C series, delivers game changing performance with agility and finesse and enables these latest leading models to offer enhanced beam characteristics. This results in greater processing speeds when cutting thin material as well as improving cut edge quality through enhanced pulse frequency. The unrivalled number of controlled and simultaneous axes ensure flawless navigation, while the improved control of delivered energy in marking or cutting secure the FANUC laser as both a race horse and a work horse in the industry. With optimized beam quality, the 6kW model covers a wide range of applications, such as stable cutting above 32 mm, greater than 1¼ inch thickness. The latest leading models complement the specialty lasers C5000i / C1000i – MODEL C with 5kW and 1kW respectively. All models feature the latest radio frequency excitation technology and High Speed Interfacing features capable of delivering unsurpassed pulsing frequencies, a powerful influence on cutting performance.
The bundled solution ensures quick, faultless start-ups of laser machines. All laser control screens are available on the CNC. Direct control of the laser source by the CNC allows simplified handling for operation and maintenance purposes. Control of the laser and machine are continually synchronized –without exception – as carried out by one processor. When used with linear motors, extremely high-speed cutting can be achieved. Fundamental advantages bear all the exceptional features of the CNC can be used by the machine tool.
The bundled solution facilitates the integration of many useful laser-processing functions. These include diagnostic functions, processing parameter controls, and other special functions for efficient processing. At a sharp corner, the power and feed-rate are artfully choreographed to optimize performance. Thermal loading is controlled when cutting thin material: the gap between the cutting nozzle and the workpiece surface is held constant during extreme speeds. Additionally, the FANUC laser package can simultaneously control up to six axes to enable highly efficient 3-D machining.
There is also an open architecture CNC option to enable the connection of a PC via a serial high-speed optical fiber link – which provides two-way transfer of large volumes of data. This feature allows Machine Tool Builders (MTBs) to customize machines to suit individual end user demands.
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FANUC FA AMERICA INTRODUCES THE 30i/31i-P MODEL B HIGH-SPEED PUNCH PRESS CONTROLS FOR INCREASED HIT-RATES
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FANUC FA America
FANUC Factory Automation introduces the 30i/31i-P model B high-speed punch press controls capable of supporting new levels of punching and nibbling rates. The new 30i/31i-P model B CNCs have increased hit rates as a result of high-speed punch control cycles and an increased number of controllable axes: 32/20 max. controlled axes and 24/4 max. simultaneously controlled axes respectively. FANUC’s new 30i/31i-P model B CNCs boast large part program management, high speed Ethernet interface and minimal training and programming.
FANUC’s CNCs provide up to 8MB of high-capacity, nonvolatile internal memory that is available to store as many as 4000 large nested part programs. Slots are provided for ATA or Compact Flash memory cards that can add an additional 2GB of part program storage. Any commercially available USB storage device may also be connected to store and transfer large programs. A Fast Data Server can also be installed in the CNC providing up to 4 GB of Flash memory and a 100-GBit Ethernet connection. A high-speed, error-immune fiber optic connection between the CNC and an integrated PC front-end allows the hard disk be used for part program storage.
The Series 30i/31i-P model B CNCs has an embedded Ethernet interface. This allows the user to integrate the CNC control system into a company network for data collection or for high-speed part program transfers. World-wide links can be set up via the Internet. This makes remote diagnosis and maintenance, including online training, possible. Because the integrated Ethernet interface does not use a public operating system, it is practically ‘hacker-free” and immune to viruses, providing a safe and worry free connection to business networks.
Minimal training and programming are needed with the new 30i/31i-P model B CNCs for operators that already use FANUC controls. Upward compatibility is guaranteed and older part programs will run smoothly on the new controls.
The 30i/31i-P model B CNCs for punching are combined with rugged, energy efficient, high-performance servo drive systems that are specifically designed to deliver the industry’s leading reliability and performance – even in dusty, high-vibration environments of the most challenging fabricating shops. Punch presses with FANUC technology benefit from FANUC’s world renowned reliability and energy efficiency. These punch presses will be available for production more often, process more parts and use less energy.
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FANUC INTRODUCES THE SERIES 30i/31i-L MODEL B HIGH-SPEED LASER CONTROLS FOR SOPHISTICATED LASER PROCESSING
Provided By
FANUC FA America
FANUC Factory Automation America (FANUC FA America) introduces the Series 30i/31i-L MODEL B high-speed laser controls capable of supporting advanced levels of high speed laser processing. The new Series 30i/31i-L MODEL B CNCs have the capacity to deliver seamless choreography between axes motion and power modulation, even in cases of extremely high speeds when processing thin gage materials. Impressive internal laser power stabilizing characteristics deliver edge conditions on thicker materials which redefine the norm of RZ and RA (measured length of surface roughness). Truly unique in laser processing, smooth edge cross sections with superior edge finishes quantify smoothness rather than surface roughness.
Reliable and versatile, the sophistication of the new FANUC Laser controls lends innovative excellence and impressive processing characteristics to the base units. The new Series 30i/31i-L MODEL B CNCs provide exceptional performance, superior technology and impressive gains in processing speeds and power modulation which translates into shorter cycle times and increased edge quality. Relative to other CNCs in its class, the FANUC Series 30i/31i-L MODEL B Laser control has update rates of 125 microseconds, arguably 40 times faster than the rate at which a single neuron can fire within the human brain. These technological features translate to superior cut quality and accuracy; which translates into premium quality parts and a realized competitive distinction.
In line with other new FANUC CNCs offerings, the Series 30i/31i-L MODEL B provides up to 8MB of high-capacity, non-volatile internal memory that is available to store constant inventory nests, which need not require network access to activate and run during surplus machine availability. External interaction via ATA or Compact Flash memory cards bump up an additional 2GB of part program storage. Added flexibility includes a USB port, where any commercially available USB storage device may also be connected to store and transfer large programs. For increased processing capability, a fast data server can also be installed in the CNC providing up to 4GB of flash memory and a 100-GBit Ethernet connection. A high-speed, error-immune fiber optic connection between the CNC and an integrated PC front-end allows the hard disk be used for part program storage.
The Series 30i/31i-L MODEL B CNCs has an embedded Ethernet interface, allowing the user to integrate the CNC control system into a company network for data collection or for high-speed part program transfers. World-wide links can be set up via the Internet making remote diagnosis, maintenance and online training possible. Because the integrated Ethernet interface does not use a public operating system, it is practically “hacker-free” and immune to viruses, providing a safe and worry free connection to business networks.
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