Fifty years of TNC.
For a technical product line to achieve this level of success, many factors have to come together. From HEIDENHAIN’s perspective, the most important aspect is satisfied users.
This objective has guided TNC developers from the very beginning. After all, the goal is not simply to expand the capabilities of machine tools through technical innovation. As complexity continues to increase, new technologies must remain intuitive to operate and fully under the user’s control at all times.
OPTIMAL MOTION CONTROL AND DRIVE PERFORMANCE
TNC controls are synonymous with superior surface quality and outstanding dimensional accuracy. This makes them ideally suited for demanding applications such as tool and mold making. Features such as the Dynamic Precision package, the control’s Tool Center Point Management, and 3D Tool Compensation (known as 3D-ToolComp) are just a few examples. In combination with HEIDENHAIN motors, drives, and encoders, all of which are specifically designed for use in machine tools, TNC controls enable high-speed machining with maximum accuracy, even during highly complex 5-axis movements.
INTUITIVE OPERATION
The name says it all: the Klartext programming language of TNC controls is not only named after plain-language programming, it is built around that very principle. Instead of relying on cryptic codes, programs are created through a conversational interface using clear, easy-to-understand commands. This not only makes it possible to create NC programs directly at the machine, but also allows shopfloor personnel to incorporate their practical expertise right from the start of the programming process. But the Klartext programming language is only one example of the user-friendliness that has become a hallmark of TNC controls. From soft keys and touch operation to HEIDI (short for HEIDENHAIN DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE)— the AI assistant that can even generate programming suggestions—control operation continues to evolve with a focus on maximizing ease of use. In fact, TNC controls are now even teaching robots to speak Klartext!
SAFETY YOU CAN COUNT ON EVEN BEFORE A CHIP IS CUT
Will the NC program run smoothly on the machine shop floor? The detailed, true-to-life simulation provided by TNC controls answers that question before machining begins, especially for programs created with CAM systems. Solutions such as HEIDENHAIN programming stations and a Digital Twin bring not only Klartext programming, but also realistic simulation and program verification to the PC in the office. So when the program reaches the shop floor, the machine can get straight to making those chips fly.
MAXIMUM RELIABILITY
“It’s running!” The more often that phrase can be heard across the shop floor, the better. TNC controls provide the ideal foundation for making it happen: cycles that simplify setup, highly effective dynamic collision monitoring, and comprehensive monitoring functions for processes and for machine components. HEIDENHAIN also offers
complementary solutions such as vision systems, breakage sensors, and StateMonitor, all of which integrate seamlessly with the control. This results in stable and efficient manufacturing processes, allowing the machine to focus on what it does best: producing high-precision workpieces economically, including during unattended shifts.
