Custom machine control concept

Build the laser machine.
Start beyond zero.

A configurable CNC control foundation based on ACS Motion Control technology, designed for laser machine builders and system integrators that need coordinated motion, G-code execution, laser-process interfaces, diagnostics, and a practical operator experience.

Explore the platform View the HMI concept

Concept disclosure: This is an independent Manufacturing With Light concept proposal based on ACS Motion Control technology. It is not an ACS Motion Control product or endorsement. Final hardware, software, safety architecture, and support responsibilities must be defined for each project.

The market gap

A controller is not yet a CNC machine.

Changing controls platforms can create a substantial first-machine commitment. Beyond motion performance, the machine builder must define G-code behavior, application logic, laser synchronization, EtherCAT I/O, process gas, HMI communications, alarms, commissioning, backup, diagnostics, and recovery.

A machine builder should not have to buy an advanced motion controller and then invent the entire CNC architecture.

Core product scope

A reusable foundation for laser material processing.

01 / Motion & CNC

Coordinated machine motion

A selected SPiiPlus controller configuration, coordinated axes, GSP/G-code architecture, homing, machine coordinates, custom G- and M-code framework, simulation, and dry run.

02 / Machine application

Reusable control structure

ACSPL+ application structure for machine states, sequencing, interlocks, recipes, I/O, communications, alarms, diagnostics, and recovery.

03 / Laser interfaces

Process synchronized with motion

Defined handling for laser enable, power commands, process gas, auxiliary equipment, timing, and status. LCI can be incorporated where laser output requires tight coordination with trajectory.

04 / Operator interface

A documented HMI interface

Standard status, commands, recipes, alarms, maintenance, and service functions for an industrial PC or operator panel.

05 / Deployment

Commissioning and recovery

Configuration control, backups, restore procedures, commissioning tools, diagnostic logs, documentation, training, and first-line application support.

06 / Productization

Engineering that carries forward

A controlled library of proven modules and machine templates so the next project begins from a validated base instead of a blank application.

The platform provides

Reusable CNC and machine-control architecture
Laser-specific application framework
HMI communication model and diagnostics
Commissioning, documentation, backup, and recovery structure

The machine builder retains

Machine mechanics and optics
Laser selection and process development
Automation, fixturing, and safety
Customer-specific functions and machine differentiation

Interactive HMI example

Designed around how the machine is actually used.

Select Run, Manual, Jobs, Setup, Process, or Service in the demonstration. The example illustrates an XYZ plus rotary laser-welding machine; production screens would be adapted to the final machine architecture and risk assessment.

MWL WELD

LW-400 · Cell 01 | JOB: VALVE-BODY-214-REV-B

Machine ready

14:32:18

Weld production

XYZ + rotary synchronized welding

AUTO · seam 3 of 5

Running CNC program

VALVE214-B.NC · block N170

PROGRAM: O0214 — VALVE BODY REV BAUTO · MEM

N130G0 X184.226 Y62.814 Z48.000 A127.400

N140M08 (SHIELD GAS ON)

N150G4 P0.4

N160G1 Z42.318 F600

N170M310 P1250 W1.20 H180 (WELD ON)

N180G1 A487.400 F2280

N190M311 T160 (RAMP OFF)

N200G4 P1.2

N210M09 (SHIELD GAS OFF)

X184.226

Y62.814

Z42.318

A127.400°

Part progress

54% · 00:26 remaining

Live weld process

Travel38.0 mm/s

Power1.25 kW

Wobble1.2 mm

Frequency180 Hz

Gas18 L/min

Focus-0.4 mm

Machine readiness

Laser sourceReady

Fixture clampConfirmed

Shielding gas18 L/min

Fume extractionRunning

Protective window22% life

Touch controls remain below process status.

Manual operation

Jogging, rotary positioning and individual machine functions

MANUAL · processing laser inhibited

Axis positions

X184.226 mm

Y62.814 mm

Z42.318 mm

Rotary127.400°

XY jog · press and hold

Z and rotary jog

Machine functions

Manual safety state: Processing laser is inhibited. Hold-to-run and safe-speed limits apply.

Weld job library

Revision-controlled paths, recipes and inspection requirements

Part / revision	Joint	Material	Recipe	Inspection	Status
VALVE-BODY-214 / B 5 seams · 284 mm total	Circumferential	316L	316L-FILLET-06	Vision + power	Validated
BATTERY-CAN-088 / D	Lap seam	Al 3003	AL-LAP-12	Vision + LDD	Validated
MANIFOLD-603 / A	Contour	304 SS	304-CONTOUR-03	Vision	Validated
DEV-COUPON-041 / 0	Butt seam	Ti Gr. 5	TI-DEV-02	Cross-section	Approval needed

Fixture and seam setup

Guided alignment before production

Workpiece and fixture

Fixture IDFX-VALVE-214B

Rotary chuck3-jaw · 80 mm

Part diameter42.000 mm

Material316L SS

Focal length200 mm

Working distance198.6 mm

Alignment wizard

1 · Confirm fixture and clampComplete

2 · Find rotary centerline+0.022 mm

3 · Vision seam locateComplete

4 · Set focal Z−0.400 mm

5 · Dry-run clearance check

Coordinate systems

Machine CSMCS-01

Fixture CSG54

Tool center pointTCP-LW200

Rotary axisParallel to X

Weld process recipe

Motion-synchronized laser and wobble parameters

316L-FILLET-06 · Revision 4

Validated · Operator locked

Power1.25 kW

Travel speed38.0 mm/s

Wobble width1.20 mm

Wobble freq.180 Hz

Ramp in120 ms

Ramp out160 ms

Shielding gas18 L/min

Focus offset−0.40 mm

Seam controls

Start overlap1.5 mm

End overlap2.0 mm

Corner power scale72%

Gas pre/post flow0.4 / 1.2 s

Synchronized event preview

G1 X184.226 Y62.814 Z42.318 F2280 M310 P1250 W1.20 H180 ; weld on G2 X191.480 Y68.220 R4.250 G1 A360.000 F1800 M311 T160 ; ramp off

Diagnostics and recovery

Actionable alarms, interlocks and controller state

Active events

14:29:18

Fixture clamp confirmation lost
DI-34 opened during seam 3. Laser and motion stopped.

14:21:06

Protective window nearing service limit
Estimated 22% life remaining.

Where to start: Inspect the fixture and workpiece, then reclamp in Manual mode. Confirm DI-34 remains on before resuming from Seam 3. The laser stays inhibited during recovery.

Relevant I/O

Clamp command

Clamp confirmed

Guard closed

Gas flow OK

Laser ready

Extraction

Chiller OK

Safety OK

Controller health

ACS control cycle200 µs / 5 kHz

EtherCATOP · 16 slaves

Max following error0.007 mm

Software setLW400-1.6.2

Illustrative concept only. Values, functions, permissives, interlocks, alarms, and safety states are examples and do not define a production-ready safety system.

Delivery model

Clear ownership across the complete machine.

The platform works only when control-product support, reusable application engineering, and the machine builder's application responsibilities are deliberately connected.

ACS Motion Control

Core hardware and software
Firmware and product support
Advanced motion expertise
Training and application escalation

Laser CNC platform provider

Reusable architecture and productization
Laser-specific application engineering
Commissioning and documentation
First-line machine support

Machine builder / integrator

Machine mechanics and optics
Laser and process development
Automation, fixturing, and safety
Customer-specific functions

Required condition

This concept depends on a defined level of support from ACS. The platform provider can own the reusable CNC architecture and first-line laser-machine application support, while retaining reliable access to ACS for product selection, training, firmware and product questions, advanced motion issues, and escalation.

Potential applications

A common core for different laser machines.

Precision laser cutting and welding
Tube and medical-device processing
Micromachining and small-feature systems
Laser cladding, DED, and additive manufacturing
Special-purpose fixed-beam laser systems

Recommended pilot

Prove Machine #1. Measure Machine #2.

Select a suitable three-to-five-axis fixed-beam cutting or welding project.
Define the standard architecture and application-specific boundary.
Confirm ACS product selection, training, and escalation support.
Commission the first machine and capture every reusable component.
Measure production performance and engineering reduction on the next machine.

Planning a custom laser machine?

Start with the application, required axes, laser-process interface, safety concept, and support model.

Discuss the application