PC-based control—Okuma America, booth A-8301

Modern Machine Shop, August, 2002

OSP P100 CNC design incorporates de facto standards associated with PC hardware and software architecture and is built on commercial off-the-shelf components. According to the company, the control is not a CNC front ended by a PC, but is a true PC CNC. The software architecture incorporates off-the-shelf technology to assure system reliability and an open environment.

As the cornerstone of the CNC design, the company chose CompactPCI (cPCI) as the system bus. It is a high-performance industrial bus based on the standard PCI electrical specification in industrial grade packaging.

The company chose Radisys Corporation to supply the PC motherboard. This, according to the company, is to keep the engine technically current, ensure high reliability and ensure that company applications transfer seamlessly to next generation technology. The motherboard can be easily swapped to a newer and more powerful version by simply exchanging boards, the company says.

Two Ethernet ports for factory-and enterprise-level communication are incorporated in the motherboard. Four USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are available at the operator's panel for interface to PC peripherals. Panel Link industry standard is used for digital interface to flat panel display. Device Net automation industry standard supplies the I/O interface.

Okuma America Corporation, (704) 588-7000. Enter 1423 at www.mmsinfo.com to visit Online Showroom, or write 1423 on RS card.