RichAuto DSP CNC Controller Buying Guide

RichAuto DSP CNC Controller Buying Guide

Choose a RichAuto DSP CNC controller by machine type and required control functions first. A11, A11 PLUS, B11, B51 and F131 are mainly standard 3-axis options; A132 is for 2-3 axis lathe control; A12 targets plasma and flame cutting; B57 targets ATC; A15, B15 and F135 target multi-spindle or multi-head machines; A18, B18, B58 and F141 are 4-axis-oriented; F1410 supports 3-4 axis stone work; and F731/F741 target network, PC or multi-machine control. For any replacement, confirm the exact wiring, interface board, signal type, hardware revision, firmware and machine configuration before ordering.

Current RichAuto Series and Models

The current RichAuto series covered in this guide are A1X, B1X, B5X, F1X and F7X.

The supplied model range includes:

• • A11
• • A11 PLUS
• • A12
• • A132
• • A14
• • A15
• • A18
• • B11
• • B15
• • B18
• • B51
• • B57
• • B58
• • F131
• • F135
• • F141
• • F1410
• • F731
• • F741

Model names alone do not establish compatibility with a particular CNC machine. The useful starting point is the machine application, followed by axis requirements and any special control functions.

Standard 3-Axis Controllers

A11, A11 PLUS, B11, B51 and F131 are mainly standard 3-axis options.

These are the first models to investigate when the machine requires conventional three-axis control. The RichAuto A11 is one model in this group.

For a replacement project, confirming that both controllers are described as 3-axis units is insufficient. The existing machine may use a particular interface board, wiring arrangement, signal type, hardware revision or firmware that must be checked before a replacement is specified.

Controllers for Specific Machine Applications

A132 for 2-3 Axis Lathe Control

A132 is a 2-3 axis lathe controller.

A buyer with a lathe application should identify the machine as a lathe when requesting a quote rather than selecting a controller from axis count alone.

A12 for Plasma and Flame Cutting

A12 targets plasma and flame cutting.

If the machine is used for either process, include that application in the enquiry. This separates the requirement from a standard three-axis routing application even when the machines may have a similar number of motion axes.

B57 for ATC Applications

B57 targets ATC applications.

For a machine with an automatic tool changer, state the ATC requirement when requesting a controller. On a replacement project, ATC capability by itself does not confirm that B57 can replace the installed controller. Wiring, interface hardware, signals and the rest of the machine configuration still require verification.

Multi-Spindle and Multi-Head Machines

A15, B15 and F135 target multi-spindle or multi-head applications.

These models should be considered when the machine uses more than one spindle or head as part of its operating configuration.

When requesting a quote, identify the machine as a multi-spindle or multi-head system and provide the existing controller information if the project involves a replacement. Similar model names should not be used as the basis for assuming compatibility.

4-Axis Controllers

A18, B18, B58 and F141 are 4-axis-oriented models.

If the machine requires four-axis control, these models form the relevant group to investigate. The exact machine configuration still matters because the verified information supplied here does not establish that every four-axis model is interchangeable across every four-axis machine.

F1410 has a more specific application: it supports 3-4 axis stone work.

For stone machinery, identify both the application and the required axis configuration when requesting a controller.

Network, PC and Multi-Machine Control

F731 and F741 target network, PC or multi-machine control.

F731 is published as a 3-5 axis networked controller. Its exact configuration requires confirmation before ordering.

If networked operation, PC-based control or multi-machine control is required, include that requirement explicitly in the enquiry. Do not infer the exact supported configuration from the F7X family name alone.

Where A14 Fits

A14 is part of the supplied current model list, but no more specific application for A14 is included in the verified facts available for this guide.

For that reason, this article does not assign it an axis count, machine type or function. Its required configuration should be confirmed before selection.

The same principle applies whenever a buyer has incomplete information about a controller model: confirm the actual specification instead of filling the gap from model-number similarity.

A Practical Model-Selection Process

A buyer can narrow the RichAuto range with a short sequence of questions.

First, identify the machine application. Determine whether it is a standard CNC machine, lathe, plasma or flame cutter, stone machine, ATC machine, or a multi-spindle or multi-head system.

Next, confirm the required axis configuration. Standard 3-axis applications point toward A11, A11 PLUS, B11, B51 or F131. Four-axis requirements bring A18, B18, B58 and F141 into consideration, while F1410 covers 3-4 axis stone work. F731 is published for 3-5 axis networked control, subject to configuration confirmation.

Then identify any special requirement such as ATC, multiple spindles or heads, network operation, PC control or multi-machine control.

This process narrows the candidate models before the detailed compatibility check begins.

Replacement Requires a Separate Compatibility Check

Replacing an existing RichAuto controller requires more verification than matching a model to a general machine category.

Before ordering a replacement, confirm:

• • exact existing controller model
• • machine type
• • axis configuration
• • interface board
• • wiring
• • signal type
• • hardware revision
• • firmware
• • machine configuration

Also identify ATC, multi-spindle, multi-head, network, PC or other relevant control requirements where applicable.

Do not call any RichAuto controller a drop-in replacement until these details have been checked.

Honest Trade-Offs

A model intended for more axes or additional control functions does not automatically suit a simpler machine. Those functions are relevant only when the machine requires them.

Likewise, a standard 3-axis model does not cover requirements such as ATC, multi-spindle or multi-head control, lathe control, plasma or flame cutting, four-axis operation or networked control merely because some basic machine characteristics appear similar.

For replacement work, there is another constraint: compatibility with the existing control hardware. A proposed controller can belong to the correct application category and still require further verification before it can be specified for the machine.

The useful comparison is therefore between the machine’s actual requirements and the controller’s confirmed configuration.

Pre-Order Checklist

Before requesting a quote, prepare:

• • machine type and application
• • required number of controlled axes
• • existing controller model, if applicable
• • ATC requirement
• • number of spindles or heads, if relevant
• • lathe, plasma, flame or stone application, if relevant
• • network, PC or multi-machine control requirement
• • interface board details for a replacement
• • wiring information for a replacement
• • signal type
• • hardware revision
• • firmware
• • relevant machine configuration details

The more complete this information is, the easier it is to narrow the controller options without relying on assumptions.

Confirm Compatibility Before Requesting a Quote

If you know the machine but are unsure which RichAuto DSP controller to choose, send CINKR the machine type, axis configuration, required functions and existing controller information.

For replacement enquiries, include the exact controller model together with the available wiring, interface board, signal type, hardware revision, firmware and machine configuration details.

For a RichAuto controller compatibility check and quotation, contact info@cinkr.com.