The system initially used an Elcede CNC controller to control both the LC220CNC Machine and the Ferranti laser. After many years the cutting board system became unreliable, cut parts were intermittently distorted. Obtaining maintenance was exorbitantly expensive and the problem could not be totally resolved.

The maintaining mechanical engineers concluded to a skeptical customer, that the problem was mechanical and recommended replacing ball screws and other items.

The AMC cutting board control system was recommended by the company who maintained the Ferranti Laser.

Burny / AMC supplied a new control system comprised essentially of an AMC-B3 controller, two AXOR MCS140 14/28 drives, plus a drive power supply. The items were housed in a custom cabinet together with a touch screen PC running WinAMC , NEE's virtual control panel software.

WinAMC was used to generate a number of custom control panels with functionality suiting the application. These included 'machine setup' panels defining for example laser kerf width, and direction sensitive separate cut speed parameters for X+, X-, Y+ and Y- directions. Cut speed at intermediate cutting directions was interpolated 'real time' by the AMC-B control.

The machine , upgrade was accomplished in 3 days. Initially an NEE engineer determined the wiring and complete functionality of the Elcede system, as no documentation was available. The old system was then removed and the new one installed and setup. Suitable custom control panels were quickly generated using WinAMC , to suit the application and the operators needs.

Compatibility problems with third party CAD part program generation software were identified and resolved. A number of test cuts were performed. Operator training was provided.

The new system provides a number of advantages:

• The system is now reliable and cut parts show no distortion indicating that the unmodified mechanics are sound.
  
  
• The new system user interface is graphical; the old system used a text interface. Parts are previewed in 'plan view' permitting operator visual verification before cutting.
  
  
• Part program code is displayed real time during program execution and can be edited before part program execution begins.
  
  
• During program execution progress is shown graphically, the cursor follows the machine movement and the path color changes. This permits the operator to estimate the program time remaining. A few lines around the current program line are also displayed.
  
  
• The new controller controls the cut speed more precisely so it is easier to set cutting parameters to achieve better burn quality.
  
  
• As the new controller is PC based large jobs do not now have to be split up to fit within the controller memory.
  
  
• The machine productivity has been considerably improved by the new controller.