Machine Interfaces – CNC Control Software
MTConnect Compliant
The Freedom® Platform team has developed its own set of robust, easy to install, MTConnect Adapters that enable connectivity with any industrial asset. They are available as part of the Freedom eLOG® platform, or as stand-alone interfaces.
As the communication standard for the manufacturing industry, we have adopted the MTConnect protocol which provides rich data sets in a consistent format which can also be used to integrate with other applications such as ERP and other business systems. Freedom Software Adapters are available for all types of controllers on all types of machines. Examples include but not limited to:
• CNC’s (Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain, Bosch, Mazak, Okuma,etc)
• PLC’s ( A-B, Siemens, Modicon, etc)
• Robots ( FANUC, KUKA, ABB etc.)
• Any Controllers with OPC-UA
Deployment Options
The Freedom Server is a Linux-based system that hosts the Freedom software. In an effort to leverage the latest technologies and create unique value for our customers the Freedom platform is available in three options:
- A Public Industrial Cloud Managed by the Freedom Team
- A Private Industrial Cloud Managed by the Customer
- An On-Premise Virtual Server hosted by the Customer
Benefits of Freedom in the Industrial Cloud Are:
- Eliminates the need for Dedicated or Virtual Servers and the IT staff to maintain them
- Lowers the Cost of Entry
- Multi-Tenant – Your Enterprise on the Same Platform
- All Plants on the Same Upgrade Path and on the Same Release of the Software
Freedom Machine Interface Options:
Freedom Software Adapter
Freedom Software Adapter
Freedom Software Adapters exist for many of the current standard CNC, PLC, and Robot controls that are used on the majority of industrial assets. This interface is installed directly on the assets industrial controller. Freedom Software Adapters communicate directly with the industrial controller via open architecture tools supplied by the control vendors. No PLC programming, asset configuration, or NC programming is required. The Freedom Software Adapter is extremely simple to install, taking only a few minutes to configure and when connected to a Freedom Server, communicates the real-time status of the industrial asset via MTConnect. Freedom Software Adapters are available for all types of controllers on all types of machines.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
• CNCs (Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain, Bosch, Mazak, Okuma, etc.)
• PLC’s (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Modicon, etc)
• Robots (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, etc)
• Any Controllers with OPC-UA
Freedom Hosting Appliance
For those assets with an industrial controller that does not support open architecture, we offer a hosting appliance. This DIN-rail mounted industrial PC provides a Windows platform on which the Freedom Software Adapter resides. The Hosting Appliance offers:
- 2 x RS-232/422/485 Ports with Automatic Flow Control
- 3 x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 Ports with Teaming Function Support
- 4 x External USB
- PC/104+ Expansion Slots Option
- 1 x Mini PCIe slot for WLAN and Fieldbus Cards
- Windows® Platform
Freedom Sensor Adapter
We offer a Freedom Sensor Adapter for deploying additional sensors to any type of industrial asset but also for connecting to legacy assets whose only option
for communication is through discrete I/O. This off-the-shelf, self-contained, DIN-rail mounted electronic appliance mounts in the industrial asset’s power panel and is connected to I/O signals from the asset as well as from external sensors. The Freedom Sensor Adapter has MTConnect on-board and connects directly to the Freedom Server. It does not require PLC programming, asset configuration, or NC programming.
This adapter is expandable offering a variety of signal monitoring capabilities such as:
Freedom Gateway and Freedom eDGE
Freedom Gateway and Freedom eDGE provide the “edge analytics”, visualization, and secure network connection (to the asset monitoring client) as the foundation for an a la cart machine monitoring device that can scale to an enterprise machine monitoring solution. They allow you to transform any industrial asset into a Smart IIoT asset
Freedom Gateway
Freedom Gateway is an industrially hardened IIoT edge appliance installed in the electrical cabinet of the manufacturing asset acting as a host for the Freedom eDGE software package. Additionally, it provides I/O interfaces for legacy machines, supports external sensor implementation/aggregation, and delivers both wired and wireless connectivity for ancillary devices.
Freedom Gateway is Configurable to Meet any Manufacturing Asset Monitoring Situation:
- Flexible Network Configuration and Firewall Rules. Allows Creation of Isolated and Bonded Networks
- Provides a Secure Gateway Between IIoT Connected Industrial Assets and Factory Networks
- Hosts Freedom’s Communication Software Enabling the Machine Control to Interface with Asset Monitoring Systems via MTConnect
- Provides I/O Interfaces for Legacy Machines that do not have newer technology machine controllers
- Hosts Freedom’s eDGE Software Providing Analytics and Visualization Local to the Asset
- Displays Manufacturing Metrics Locally on Operator Stations and Andon Boards Connected to the Freedom Gateway
- Accesses Manufacturing Metrics Wirelessly via Mobile Devices
Freedom eDGE: Your Solution for Edge Analytics
Freedom eDGE is a web-based system that can be accessed from any device connected to the Freedom Gateway with a standard web browser.
Features Include:
- Real-Time and Historical Manufacturing OEE Analytics
- Unlimited Custom Dashboards and Andon Views
- Intuitive Graphical User Interface
- Point and Click
- Drill Down Capability
- Comprehensive Standard Reports
- Email and Text Notification
Who Needs to Know?
Plant
Managers
Shop
Foremen
Maintenance
Managers
