FlexxCNC™

FlexxCNC™: UR to CNC Communication Interface

Integrate your Universal Robot onto any machine in your shop in half a day. Ensure once your new cobot hits your loading dock you’ll have it cutting chips that week.

Compatible with:

Run your machine tending
operations lights out

The FlexxCNC™ enables you to automate all aspects of your CNC. Execute G-Code, actuate vises / chucks / doors, initiate stop / start / wait cycles and connect to any other peripherals all through polyscope through the FlexxCNC™.

Run Machine Tending Operations Lights Out

Run your machine tending operations lights out

The FlexxCNC™ enables you to automate all aspects of your CNC. Execute G-Code, actuate vises / chucks / doors, initiate stop / start / wait cycles and connect to any other peripherals all through polyscope through the FlexxCNC™.

Standardize Solution

Standardize the solution
across your shop

The FlexxCNC™ is compatible with a majority of CNC machines giving you the ability to standardize this solution across your shop. Move your cobot and FlexxCNC™ from one machine to another as demand shifts or build your cobot fleet to service the variety of CNC’s on your floor.

Streamline with
machinists in mind

The FlexxCNC™ tool kit is built with machinists in mind. Everything from the dedicated I/O to direct where to wire your into your CNC/peripherals to using programming language in polyscope that coincides with your machine enables machinists to take on both the integration and operation of their cobot workcell.

Streamline Machinist In Mind

Streamline with machinists in mind

The FlexxCNC™ tool kit is built with machinists in mind. Everything from the dedicated I/O to direct where to wire your into your CNC/peripherals to using programming language in polyscope that coincides with your machine enables machinists to take on both the integration and operation of their cobot workcell.

FlexxCNC™ helps you to:

Reduce Robot Integration Time

Reduce Robot
Integration Time

Redeploy Robot Multiple Machines

Redeploy Your Robot
on Multiple Machines

Run Commands To Machine

Run Commands
to Your Machine

Simplify Robot Machine Operation

Simplify Your Robot
to Machine Operation

Read Our
RDS Case Study

Read about how we helped solve RDS’s
machinist labor shortage issues

FlexxCNC™ Financial
Justification Article

Read about the cost savings of integrating
the FlexxCNC™ into your CNC operations

What our customers are saying

Tim Cheney Jr - RDS Machine

“The FlexxCNC™ greatly accelerated the integration of our Universal Robot on our Fanuc Robodrill. In under half a day, I was fully connected to my CNC machine and building robot programs. I can now run g-code and all peripheral control from my robot using polyscope”

How FlexxCNC™ works:

Part 1:

Connect your cobot and machine to the FlexxCNC™ middleware

FlexxCNC How It Works Part 1

Part 2:

Wire to your peripherals

  • Dedicated & labeled I/O
  • Wiring kits & instructions to all peripherals
FlexxCNC How It Works Part 2

Part 3:

Build your program

  • Upload the executable/configure server connection
  • Build your program in polyscope using Flexx programming nodes
FlexxCNC How It Works Part 3

View all the
Compatible
CNC Machines

Learn more about the
compatible CNC companies

Read Our CNC
Machine Tending
eBook

Learn how to automate you
CNC with collaborative robots

Best in class interface giving you the ability
to automate all aspects of running a CNC

Load G-Code

Load
G-Code

Cycle Start / Stop Detection

Cycle Start /
Stop Detection

Write Macros

Write
Macros

Control Peripherals

Control Peripherals
(Door, Vise, Chuck)

Programming Templates

Programming
Templates

Micro-Op Robot Automation

Multi-Op Robot
Automation

Standardized Software

Standardized
Software

CNC Interface Software Library

CNC Interface
Software Library

Technical Articles

FlexxCNC™
Specifications & Resources

Power:  120V AC (American Standard, outlet type: Type B NEMA 5-15)

Mounting:  M6 mounting holes

Dimensions:  10″ x 8″ x 6″

I/O:  DIO at 24V (Relay provided for non 24V integrators)

CNC Compatibility:  Haas, Mazak, Fanuc, Okuma, Brother, Mitsubishi, DMG Mori, Siemens, Heidenhain & Hurco

Robot Compatibility:  CB3 and E-Series

Connectors:  (12) M12 DIO connectors, 1 USB, 2 Ethernet port, 1 Power entry module

How It Works

Download UR Cap

User Manual

FlexxCNC 1-Page

Financial Justification

Okuma User Manual

Fanuc User Manual

Haas User Manual

Mazak User Manual

Speak with an Expert

Frequently Asked Questions

Test

Test

Why is my UR program timing out?

When the FlexxCNC™ middleware isn’t able to send signals over ethernet to the UR Robot, the program will timeout. The node that is causing the timeout can us where the issue is. Learn more

Okuma server isn’t working

Issues related to the server come in two types: where the server crashes on running, and where the server does not respond to UR node commands. Learn more

G-code is stuck on an M00 or M0

This error often appears due to not enough “Cycle Start” and “Wait for CNC” pairs being present for the program being loaded into memory or currently running. Learn more

How do I wire my FlexxCNC™?

The FlexxCNC™ M12 connections are all similarly wired to have a 24V (volt) source, and 0V ground, and one or two signal pins. In this way, both sinking (NPN) and sourcing (PNP) signaling styles can be used. A normally open (NO) relay will be included in kits so that CNC’s with non 24V signaling can be triggered using the FlexxCNC™’s outputs. Find the wiring diagram here.

What power rating does the FlexxCNC™ use?

The FlexxCNC™ will draw no more than 12W (watts). The outputs provide 24V (voltage) signal, and the inputs detect a 24V signal. Learn more

Test

Test

What do I do if my CNC machine does not have an ethernet port?

You can still automate your machine! In this case, you will be using the Flexx CNC Start Cycle Node, and a Wait node, using the “Wait for ___” mode. Learn more

Do I need an executable to set up the FlexxCNC™?

The only interfaces that require an executable to be placed on the Machine HMI are the Okuma OSP300 and OSP200. Fanuc, Mazak, and Haas interfaces only require some settings changes outlined here.

How do I get my license key for the FlexxCNC™?

The best way to get your license key is to email us at support@flexxbotics.com with your company name and the serial number of the robot you will be using with the FlexxCNC™. Your robot’s serial number can be found by navigating to the installation tab, finding the URCAP dropdown, hitting the FlexxCNC™ tab, and then the Setup tab at the top. Below your activation key field is the serial number of your UR! Learn more

What type of I/O connectors does the FlexxCNC™ use?

The Flexx CNC makes user of female M12 connectors on it’s front face, meaning you will need male M12 cables in order to interface with them. If you need more cables or longer cables than those provided, find them here or Digikey.

What if I need additional I/O ports outside of the FlexxCNC™?

While expanding the M12 I/O ports is not possible at this time, the Flexx CNC does not interfere with or use any of the native UR DIO ports! Check the inside of your UR control cabinet and the DIO nodes in Polyscope to expand your DIO options. Learn more

LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED…

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