Seamlessly integrable CNC solutions – new features
ISG (Industrial Control Technology) and KEB Automation
From woodworking and robotics to the manufacture of dental prostheses: In cooperation with the Swabian company ISG, the ISG-CNC core is implemented in the KEB automation system – with individual possibilities for many industries.
KEB's complete solution enables CNC machine manufacturers to create their technologies with open automation tools without compromising CNC functionality. The user can put together the required hardware from the wide KEB portfolio for control and drive technology. The respective software package consisting of an integrated CNC core for the movement as well as the visualization including a user-friendly HMI interface is scalable according to the requirements.
In essence, the cooperation between ISG and KEB results in many options and opportunities that go far beyond the ISG-CNC basis. Thus, customers can use additional features for different applications – depending on their needs.
Extensive function packages with CNC features
Basis Package
- Speed and acceleration pre-control, jerk limitation
- Powerful, tact-synchronous CNC-PLC interface
- Coupling functions, gantry axis functions, measuring functions
- Look-ahead function
- Linear, circular, spiral interpolation
- DIN 66025 program syntax with high-level language extension
- Subprogram technology, macro definitions, coordinate systems, spindle and additional functions
- Operation with automatic mode, manual mode, single block mode, referencing, block advance, handwheel operation mode
- Tool management
Expansion Package
- CNC Channels
Up to 12 channels expandable, channel synchronization, axis exchange between the channels - Transformation (trafo)
Expansion of all CNC channels through kinematic transformation - High-Speed Cutting (HSC)
Faster machining time, higher accuracy, better surface quality - Spline
Use of gearing (AKIMA, B-Spline) for geometry optimization - Cutting
CNC technology extension for cutting (e.g. laser, plasma, oxyfuel, water jet) - Volumetric compensation (vol. comp.)
Effective way to increase machine accuracy
CNC features in detail
"Almost 100 kinematics are already stored in the trafo feature. In the near future, it will also be possible to create your own kinematics," says Michael Zacharewicz, Head of Control & Automation at KEB. This feature is used wherever individual kinematics are required by the application.
The HSC feature in turn is used for high quality demands on surfaces. A very high speed results in significantly lower cutting forces, which makes it possible to manufacture very precise tools for plastic injection moulding machines, for example.
The spline feature can be used to calculate optimal paths for the user. "This enables us to run perfect path radii that are either designed for high precision or production speed," explains Zacharewicz.
In order to further optimize the accuracy of a CNC machine, the vol. comp. feature offers the possibility of compensating machine tolerances by software.
The channel feature is suitable for parallel machining of workpieces. Here a workpiece is often machined by several kinematics or sorted using a "pick and place" application. The feature allows up to 12 kinematics to be controlled simultaneously on a single IPC with a single CNC core.
Open tools
"With our features in the CNC core, we can be used in any industry and now offer everything from the axis to the HMI interface that customers need for their projects," says Michael Zacharewicz. The integration of the ISG kernel into the KEB complete solution results in a high level of usability, as the system is set up using the COMBIVIS studio 6 automation tool. Its object-oriented design supports the user in configuring the axes and channels. In addition, PLC and machine functions can be easily extended via the IEC61131 standard.
In addition to the software core for CNC (ISG kernel) used by KEB, the Stuttgart-based software company also owns a real-time simulation software for virtual commissioning (ISG virtous), in which the first KEB products are already implemented as digital twins. ISG also has a test automation tool for control software (ISG dirigent).

Automation tool COMBIVIS studio 6 for configuring the CNC kernel
Documentation
Do you have questions?
Tim Aufderheide - Application Engineer Plastics Machinery
+49 (0) 5263 401-169
E-Mail: tim.aufderheide(at)keb.de
