Winlink - The Windows Friendly CNC

With WinLink from OSAI-UK, CNC users have the advantages of one of the most powerful and versatile CNC controllers on the market combined with the numerous benefits of the familiar Windows operating environment.

The standard WinLink hardware structure is based on a Pentium processor combined with dynamic RAM expandable up to 128 Mbytes and a hard disk drive and the system runs the latest versions of Microsoft Windows. A 10.4" TFT colour screen shows the bright graphics images to good effect, helping to make its operation straightforward, logical and user-friendly.

The integrated Ethernet communications interface and the powerful Microsoft DLL libraries allow the development of completely personalised high-performance graphics for interaction with the CNC.

New IFP hardware makes it possible to have user hardware running directly on the WinLink workstation with no additional hardware or software, giving total compatibility with any required hardware add-ons as well as having the convenience of being able to use off-the-shelf packages or user-developed software. Being 100% a PC, WinLink has all of the advantages of any powerful PC with the added benefits of being backwards compatible so that the creation of customised software is simplified.

The operator keyboard features a 'yellow-key' for simple and instant switching between the CNC and the Windows environments - with both environments remaining fully operational at all times.

In the latest version of WinLink, the front panel simultaneously performs as a 'non-intelligent' operator panel as well as an on-line intelligent operator panel and/or off-line 'host' computer. These roles are executed simultaneously on a single piece of hardware, the new IFP, communicating with the CNC rack through separate communication lines, enabling true multi-tasking operation. Standard CNC interface is via direct connection of CRT and keyboard to the CNC rack, whilst custom-developed operator interface programs and standard packages are run on the workstation in a fully IBM compatible environment, interfacing with the CNC through a dedicated communication link.

For example, through a CAD program, the PC might calculate new ISO profiles, which are then transferred via the parallel link, whilst the CNC is engaged in machining parts, the standard screen showing the axis positions during machining. The user can even, for special purchasing or operational reasons, choose alternative PCs to be the engine of the IFP architecture.