Lathe Control Features User and OEM Updates

Heidenhain’s CNC Pilot 640 lathe control has been updated with new functions and hardware for the machine operator and builder. The control is designed for universal lathes, fully automatic turning centers, turn-mill machines, vertical lathes, and vertical boring and turning mills ranging to five-axis machining with X, Y, Z, B and C axes.

For the end user, the updated software offers high-resolution 3D graphic simulation and enables evaluating the results of turning, drilling and milling processes before machining with a “rotational view” to inspect the part from all angles. The CNC now offers load monitoring as an option, where a multi-colored bar graph displays the load of both the spindle and the motor. Simple parameterization is available to define utilization threshold values of a reference operation. Exceeding the first threshold triggers the exchange of a replacement tool, and if the second threshold is exceeded, the machine stops. This feature helps avoid tool breakage, enhance process reliability and extend unattended shifts.

Additionally, the updated control enables eccentric turning and non-circular turning for machining of oval and polygonal parts as well as cams without any additional machine elements. The update also includes better oversight in the file manager and in the technology data display, as well as the possibility to include or exclude the tool selection to generate automatic programs, the company says. Additionally, Heidenhain touch probes are now supported with the CNC Pilot 640.

For the machine builder, new synchronizing functions and real-time coupling functions enable the actual and nominal calculation of complex simultaneous movements of several axes. As many as 20 controls loops are available, and control loop groups can be enabled. Other features include a “copy default data” function for creating backup files, easier means of designing OEM-specific buttons and simplified commissioning.