FANUC America unveils new combined PLC/CNC motion controller

Robotics and automation systems provider FANUC America Corporation recently unveiled its latest combined PLC/CNC motion controller Power Motion i-MODEL A Plus (PMi-A Plus) at MODEX 2024. FANUC said its PMi-A Plus enables the use of its controls for general motion control equipment. 

The PMi-A Plus can control multiple pieces of industrial equipment as well as run multiple programs simultaneously and independently. A maximum of 32 total control axes can be grouped in up to 10 independent control paths, with each path containing a maximum of 24 axes and four axes of simultaneous motion. PMi-A Plus’ functions enable flexible motion control by using position, speed, torque and/or pressure feedback from sensors. 

FANUC said its PMi-A Plus is suitable for applications including controlling machines used for filling, winding, printing, packaging, and stamping.

Integrated automation system demonstrated at MODEX

At MODEX, FANUC showcased the PMi-A Plus controlling FANUC’s new Alpha i-D Series servos and drives to power an automatic storage retrieval system (AS/RS), which was tended by a CRX-10iA robot arm. The PMi-A Plus controlled seven axes simultaneously while the collaborative robot bin picked different products.

“This AS/RS demonstration shows FANUC’s factory automation and cobot product lines working together to provide a one-stop-shop automation solution to the supply chain industry,” says Jon Heddleson, general manager of FANUC America’s factory automation. “Our CNC seamlessly integrated with the collaborative robot shows the possibilities for FANUC products to fuel all parts of an automated warehouse cell.” 

The CRX cobot was integrated via FANUC’s Robot ON-SITE integration platform, which the company said simplifies the connection of its cobots or robots to its CNC. Up to four cobots or robots can be connected to one CNC through the platform. Because the PMi-A Plus can act as an automated cell controller, no additional programmable logic controller was needed. 

Additional FANUC demonstrated its new M-710iD/50M robot arm equipped with the company’s new industrial PC (iPC) with box-detection software. FANUC said its new iPC offers a durable touchscreen HMI with faster processing speeds and secure connectivity. The customized graphical screens are achieved by FANUC Picture to ensure simple operability.

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