The vTNC7 programming system is the next generation of the programming station for creating NC programs for HEIDENHAIN controls. It celebrated its world premiere at EMO 2025. The vTNC7 user benefits especially when programming individual parts or components for small series in the area of 2.5D machining, as they can move significantly faster from design to the first good part in production. New features such as Feature Based Programming, the Clear Text Converter, and an AI-based assistant support this process. New simulation functions and the easy management of virtual machines round out the system scope of the vTNC7 programming system.
Feature Based Programming opens up new avenues in NC programming for the vTNC7 user. Instead of painstakingly typing individual NC statements by hand, the new function assists in automatically creating a clear text program from the 3D model of a component. The user extracts the entire geometry description of individual elements with contours including depth from the data. Drill holes are even captured automatically by the feature recognition. Subsequently, the user enriches the geometries with strategies. With Feature Based Programming, the user easily, quickly, flexibly, and reliably obtains an NC program. Additionally, the vTNC7 systematically stores process and technology knowledge, allowing the user to retrieve and use it in other programs at any time. Another advantage of the vTNC7: Automated swiveling and pre-positioning reduce manual interventions and save valuable time.
With the new AI chatbot of the vTNC7, HEIDENHAIN elevates task-oriented user support to a new level. The smart assistant, exclusively available for the vTNC7, encompasses all functions of the programming system and answers all questions regarding operation and program creation without technical jargon. It also assists in programming, provides tips, and generates program suggestions in clear text. This allows the user to utilize it as a virtual trainer. The new assistant is based on HEIDENHAIN's extensive experience in artificial intelligence and represents another milestone in ongoing development work. It reflects the consistent use of AI technologies at HEIDENHAIN – and shows how innovative research can be translated into practical support.
The new Clear Text Converter transforms NC programs generated on the vTNC7 with Feature Based Programming so that they can also be processed on predecessor controls of the TNC7 without the corresponding options. Additionally, it can make selected other cycles of the TNC7 usable for the predecessor controls. This ensures smooth downward compatibility and greater flexibility in daily operations – all without additional programming effort.
In terms of simulation functions, the vTNC7 also offers practical new tools. The user can examine critical movement operations in the simulated TCP path by forward and backward spiraling of the tool path, including the entire machine kinematics. An automatically generated simulation report also facilitates the validation of the generated NC programs for quick and safe error analysis.
With the service 'Digital Twin for vTNC7', multiple virtual machine models can be directly stored in the programming system and used for simulation. The selection of a virtual machine is conveniently done with a mouse click. Subsequently, the vTNC7 automatically adjusts the kinematics and other machine parameters in the background. The user interface and functionality of the programming system remain fully intact. This solution enables a consistent and efficient workflow.
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