"Hurco Companies, Inc. has been a leader in CNC technology for decades, offering over 70 different models of mills and lathes to fit the specific needs of manufacturers," said a company spokesperson. "However, the company is best known for their powerful yet intuitive control that simplifies the programming process and enables machine shops to be more productive. Unlike most machine tool brands, Hurco owns every aspect of its machines from the nuts and bolts to the casting to the control software. This vertical integration empowers the engineers at Hurco to find innovative solutions to any impediments manufacturers face."
Inventors of the Conversational Control
"Hurco is recognized for its conversational control, which only makes sense considering the company's co-founder Gerald Roch invented that form of CNC programming, and it remains the most powerful and intuitive conversational programming on the market today," the spokesperson added.
The user-friendly nature of the control makes it easy to navigate, and its programming prompts are an asset to shops that rely on on-the-job training to combat the skills gap, as even the most novice of machinists can pick up the control within a short amount of time. This learning curve is accelerated further by the abundance of training resources available on Hurco.com/Connect.
A few of the most popular features include Advanced Verification Graphics with 3D Solid Rendering, 3D Import and Data Block Search:
- The Advanced Verification Graphics feature lets the user view a solid rendering of the tool path that displays dynamic rotation, tool cut simulation and dynamic view manipulation. This feature reduces scrap and programming time and proves out the part program.
- 3D Import includes Solid Model Import and 3D DXF. Solid Model Import allows the user to program at the CNC control directly from a STP file. The efficiency provided by the Solid Model Import feature is further enhanced with 5-sided programming because it automatically creates the necessary Transform Plane blocks. 3D DXF provides the ability to gather Z-depth information from the DXF file and program from splines.
- The Hurco control also simplifies the tedious task of searching for a data block or line of code during the editing process with its Data Block Search feature. Users can easily touch the selection they need to edit on the graphics screen, and the cursor will jump to the corresponding program selection.
- The True Interrupt Cycle eliminates the need to teach the control the path the tool takes when it retracts and returns to the part. When the Interrupt button on the control is pressed, the spindle stops cutting, the coolant shuts off and the tool automatically retracts to Z home. The operator can jog the machine in any direction to check the part or change tool inserts. Then, simply press two buttons, and the cycle automatically resumes right where it left off and at the speed you choose.
Rapid G-Code Processing
Machine shops that use G-code and rely on CAD/CAM software have found increased productivity by leveraging the versatility of the Hurco control. These shops often use NC for the complex parts, but use conversational programming for one-offs, simple 2D work and fixturing. Or they use NC/Conversational Merge, a powerful control feature exclusive to Hurco that allows users to apply conversational features, such as pattern operations, scaling, tool probing, part probing and an abundance of work offsets to NC programs.
Mastercam Applications Engineer Jesse Trinque conducted a demo on a Hurco VMX42HSRTi and said of the control, "It was moving through code at an unbelievable pace, and really at a level far above the price point Hurco is at. There are machines that cost double, triple what this machine costs and do not move as well."
Automation Job Manager Software
Hurco's Automation Job Manager feature integrates fully with ProCobots robots, eliminating the need for robot programming. This software integration is designed for high-mix manufacturing with frequent part changeovers and gives operators complete control over their automation.
"Simply put: if you can run a Hurco, you can run ProCobots automation. With Hurco automation, you do not run into the bottle neck or expense of an integrator to set up your automation because you do not need to program the robot," said Mike Cope, Hurco Product Technical Specialist. "Instead, you program the automation right on the Hurco control with the Automation Job Manager feature. This gives our customers complete control over their automation-quick changeover (less than 5 minutes), flexibility (ability to move the robot to another Hurco machine), quick installation and no robot programming."
In addition to automatically calibrating with the Hurco machine, Automation Job Manager allows the user to queue and run multiple jobs with different parts, and stack parts to multiply the table's part capacity.
The conversational Automation Job Manager software is so user friendly that machinists can fully set up their systems with just five steps:
1. Select a CNC program
2. Enter the part dimensions
3. Run automatic job setup
4. Select the pockets
5. Start the job.
AI and Emerging Technologies
At IMTS, Hurco debuted its concept design for its next-generation control. This revolutionary new control concept features an ergonomic design and fully customizable interface. With integrated AI tools like ChatCNC and AI feature recognition, the system offers a transformative solution for simplifying machine operations and reducing programming time.
"Our AI-driven features like ChatCNC were particularly well received," said Scott Camloh, General Manager of Hurco. "Machinists expressed enthusiasm over the real-time support and efficiency gains that allow them to concentrate on precision and quality."
"While anticipation for the commercial release of the next-gen Hurco control is strong, Hurco's current control offers technical specifications (standard, not an upcharge) that are better than any CNC control in the industry," said the spokesperson. "In addition to the 10,000-block lookahead that Hurco's patented UltiMotion feature provides, some of the control's other robust technical specifications that are standard include 128-GB solid-state hard drives, 4 GBs of RAM, 2.7-GHz dual-core processors and 15-inch LCD touchscreen control console monitors."
For more information contact:
Hurco Companies, Inc.
One Technology Way
Indianapolis, IN 46268
800-634-2416
info@hurco.com
www.hurco.com/WinMax