Compare our Standard System Features to other manufacturers

Designed and built specifically for hot, humid, dusty, dirty medium-industrial environments: From the welded heavy-gauge steel case complete with closed-loop temperature control to heavily de-rated electronics and controls, our systems are designed to run in the worst locations.

Many systems use simple fans/filters to draw in outside air for cooling resulting in dust and dirt contaminating the electronics. Our systems use a refrigerated closed-cabinet cooler to cool the internal components with NO outside air intake. With no outside air intake the systems stays clean and dry.

True Industrial-Rated PC:

While other manufacturers use off-the-shelf PC's, motherboards, and cards for their controllers, the Synchron CNC is based on true standardized industrial PC's. The heart of these are high-performance Single Board Computers (SBC) plugged into an industry standard passive backplane allowing the SBC to be interchanged with ones from any OEM desired as technology evolves. All components are selected for high-temperature operation and the longest possible life. All devices have been selected for maximum long-term supportability -- no "Component-of-the-Month" syndrome so common to standard PC's.

Brilliant, easy-to-view 15" 1024x768 active-matrix LCD monitor: Astonishingly clear and easy to see even in brightly lit areas with no possibility of phosphor burn (darkening). The replaceable backlight is rated >30,000hrs.

Built-in full-sized, soft-touch NEMA-4 sealed industrial keyboard with integrated pointer and 20 programmable function keys: Designed for use in the worst possible environments with heavy gauge,solid stainless-steel faceplate, silicon rubber keypad, and built-in sealed Touchpoint(R) pointer pad. Not a flimsy add-on mini keyboard with open keys that collect dirt and dust, no common mouse to fall off or need constant cleaning .

Exceptionally flexible programming structure: Uses industry-standard G-code and M-code, easily customizable to accommodate custom commands and legacy CNC code. If desired the system can even be hard-programmed in C+. Complete C+ code commands and intermediate-level Aerotech commands are provided.

True multi-tasking operation: Capable of simultaneously running up to 3 user CNC/PLC programs while operator and system safety interlocks are continously monitored by a 4th background PLC program. Non-running programs may be edited/compiled or other Windows(R) programs may be ran without having to stop the CNC program(s).

From 2-axis (X/Y only) to 11-axis control (X,Y and 9 boring head axes) standard. Up to 12 physical axes with 4 virtual axes (16 total) are available in any desired configuration.

True electronic Gearmode: Up to 8 boring head axes can be run in true electronic gearmode slaved to a virtual master axis eliminating drift.

Isolated analog outputs (2) and high-performance line-driver pulse output: Both analog outputs provide 0 to +/-10v @100ma. The pulser output provides 8v @100ma giving rise-fall times of less than 5 micro-sec at end of 75' twisted-pair cable, with usual cable lengths 2 micro-sec or better is typical. All analog and pulse outputs use a separate power source and are totally isolated from the computer protecting it from the "Outside World". This greatly reduces the chance of interference or damage caused by problems with external equipment.

Fully customizable Man-Machine-Interface (MMI): Using Visual-basic custom functions can be assigned to existing function keys and new function keys can be created.

Extensive I/O options: Digital 2 in/4 out standard, board is ready for 4 in/6 out using "classic" hard-wired Opto-22 style modules. Optionally up to 512 I/O points-per-axis may be provided using dedicated 10/100 Base-T MODBUS TCP ethernet-based Opto-22 or equivalent control.

2 analog inputs +/-10vdc, 2 analog outputs +/-10vdc.

Fully programmable pulsers: synchronous high-speed pulser with a minimum pulse width of 1 micro-sec and asynchronous pulser with a 100 microsec minimum.

Both workstation and laser safeties are single-ended monitored and acted upon.

Network friendly: The SBC used in these systems come standard with at least one 10/100/1000 Ethernet port with 2 more located on the FireWire interface card.

CDRW (CD-Read-Writer): Easy program and *system backup using built-in CD burner or by pluging in a removable USB drive.

* Note -- Windows (r) system backup software is NOT supplied! It is the customers responsibility to choose and install software for backing up the operating system files and configuration!

Extensive built-in hardware/software diagnostics and tuning programs: From built-in oscilloscope monitoring of motor signals, to extensive plotting utilities with save/load/export functions, to complete tabular displays of all machine states, inputs and outputs the Aerotech diagnostics package can't be beat!

All drive amplifiers are protected by electronic current limits, all CNC AC power is protected by circuit-breakers: Virtually eliminates the need to replace fuses.

Brushless DC motors: All motors are either linear or rotary DC brushless designs ensuring very long, trouble free operation.

Positive-pressure purged linear-motor tables with solid metal covers: No moving metal skirts that add mass, rattle and bind. No silly "venetian blind" type dust covers that do nothing more than collect the dust and drop it into the tables. No bellows-type covers that become perforated from chips and ceramic shards.