Consolidate Robot and CNC Controllers in a Single Real-time Windows IPC

Demo video: How to consolidate robot and CNC controllers into a single real-time Windows IPC

1 min read
Kingstar

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When it comes to machine automation, hardware costs and complexity add up fast. As your requirements expand, so does your ever-growing list of hardware: a controller for robot control. Another for CNC. Another for machine vision. You end up with a lot of controllers, perhaps even proprietary, ultimately end up being a lot of systems to manage – and a lot of dollars out of your pocket.

Software-based machine control changes that paradigm. With the right software and a single real-time Windows PC, you can consolidate all of those controllers and their associated costs. Your Windows IPC becomes the only controller that you need. Simply by flipping a switch or moving an Ethernet cable, you can seamlessly switch from a robot controller to CNC controller to a GigE camera. No more separate infrastructure with separate costs, no need for data acquisition or control cards – just one integrated real-time Windows machine acting as an all-in-one controller.

What about the challenges of EtherCAT? While EtherCAT is recognized as the network standard for software motion control, it’s not without issues. That’s why KINGSTAR delivers auto-discovery, auto-configuration, and much more, all in a “plug-and-play,” open and standards-based environment.

Software-based machine automation also supports the modern needs of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial IoT (IIoT). It enables an OPC UA connection to the cloud for analytics, back-end needs, and security. A SCADA connection saves data to your database for real-time processing. And with new add-ons consistently added to the platform, you can keep up with the industry’s move to the cloud.

Watch the demo video below to learn how KINGSTAR helps you radically simplify your architecture by consolidating controllers and modernizing machine automation.

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