The open CNC controller for a cutting machine

The paper addresses the field of factory automation within the scope of an open machine control system. It presents a CNC controller for a cutting machine. It involves a PC based controller that has been built on base of the open QNX real-time operating system platform. Microsoft Windows, which is a commonly accepted graphical user interface environment, serves as the front-end of the HMI. The CNC controller and the HMI are interconnected by the Ethernet TCP/IP link. The control system is flexible and modular. It supports CAD/CAM and network link to the office-level of factory automation. The application is thoroughly presented with the highlight on real-time features; the QNX real-time operating system and Ethernet TCP/IP technology for the use in a networked automated factory are also described.