Drive & Control

profile Viewpoint

Machine tool programming: Open Core Engineering opens new possibilities

Machines used in metalworking and manufacturing rely on some of the most complex automation platforms, employing advanced and powerful CNC and PLC systems to precisely control multi-axis interpolated motion sequences. There has been an ongoing effort to streamline the programming of these systems by developing programming languages and platforms that are more “open” and easier to use. These efforts are also being done to add more functionality to machine tools, such as more user-friendly operator interfaces (HMIs), visualization capabilities and real-time data capturing capabilities. Open Core Engineering is a new approach to machine automation programming that combines the previously separate environments of PLC platforms and IT programming While industry code programming into one comprehensive software portfolio. standards such as IEC61131 have helped improve machine automation programming, “open” is a relative tools in use, or for a machine tool For example: A machine tool builder term. Many programmers—including OEM —they must learn to program wants to offer his customer a tool and those recently out of school, or tooling applications using languages data management HMI that operates with backgrounds in computers, that are very specific to industrial on mobile devices so the operator can networking, and Web applications—are controls, most often based on ladder move freely between the tool room well-versed in standard programming logic. These programmers may have and the machines. A programmer languages like C++, Visual Basic for innovative ideas for new machine might use a Java or Android platform Applications (VBA) and Java, or capabilities that can be created more to author the application. However, mobile platforms such as Android and easily with higher-level languages it can be challenging to have that Apple iOS. commonly used in the IT world. application communicate with the machine’s control platform. It can However, when they start working in Developing those applications using be done, but it can take multiple an industrial environment—either for traditional PLC programming tools software steps, instead of simple an operation with multiple machine can be difficult and time consuming. function blocks. A new automation functionality in library of Open Core Engineering the form of Open Core Engineering functions utilizes a programming is helping address this need. Open interface (Open Core Interface) to Core Engineering is a fresh approach allow programmers to create high- to machine automation programming level language-based applications that that combines the previously separate communicate directly to the core of environments of PLC and CNC the controller. platforms and IT programming into one comprehensive software portfolio. With this programming freedom it will be easier to engineer and machine With Open Core Engineering, a new part. Rather than taking a the controller’s “core” PLC and tool offline, Open Core Engineering CNC kernel is opened to enable capabilities enable the use of an programmers who use IT industry external program to enter data for a standard development tools such part, load the part parameters into Scott Hibbard as C++, VBA and Java to create the CNC via the Open Core Interface, Vice President of Technology automation functions and applications cut the part and capture and visualize Bosch Rexroth Corporation as an alternative to utilizing IEC61131 the tool path data. Charlotte, NC (www.boschrexroth-us.com) programming environments. Open Core Engineering will “open” Open Core Engineering offers a up a new range of possibilities portfolio of software tools, function for flexibility and productivity. It packages and support for higher-level means more innovation, as software languages. It helps streamline the professionals and programmers who automation engineering workflow, are experienced with technologies like from initial machine configuration to mobile platforms and smartphones actual production operations. This will not necessarily need to is especially true for many ancillary become experts in IEC 61131 PLC machine tool functions, such as data programming languages. The end gathering, remote diagnostics and result is that machine tool OEMs and real-time machining visualization end-users will have a wider range of without the use of cameras. programming capabilities to improve machining performance, versatility For external applications, such as and productivity. energy and cycle time analyzers, a

Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai

www.facebook.com/BoschRexrothUS

twitter.com/BoschRexrothUS

www.youtube.com/BoschRexrothGlobal

©2015 Bosch Rexroth Corporation Bosch Rexroth Corporation Subject to change without notice. 14001 South Lakes Drive Printed in USA. Charlotte, NC 28273-6791 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Telephone (800) 739-7684 FORM bos4604-01-2015 www.boschrexroth-us.com