MDSI's OpenCNC Selected by South Bend Lathe

100-year-old machine tool builder chooses OpenCNC for CNC line

ANN ARBOR, MI—Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI), the leader in Internet-enabled software CNC and software motion control technology, announced that its OpenCNC® software CNC has been chosen to debut on two models of the CNC product line of South Bend Lathe, South Bend, Indiana. The two models will be shown at IMTS 2000, Chicago, September 6–13. In MDSI's booth #4214 will be South Bend's Magnaturn 612LP with OpenCNC. In South Bend Lathe's booth #8420, the larger Magnaturn 1220 with OpenCNC will be displayed.

South Bend Lathe produces a variety of machine tools including manual and CNC lathes, manual and CNC mills, and multi-spindle drilling machines. South Bend Lathe is also a leader in the production of equipment supplying the rubber roll grinder industry. The company chose OpenCNC because of its flexibility, and the opportunity it gives South Bend to adapt to future needs.

"OpenCNC gives us a platform to grow our CNC line for the future," says Ty Putrich, president, South Bend Lathe. "MDSI's control is multi-faceted. You can apply it to any kind of machine tool, you can use it for complex applications, and yet it has a simple user interface and it's relatively easy to use and adapt. With other controls, the day you buy them is as good as they get. With OpenCNC, we not only have a platform for standardization but also a platform for growth."

MDSI's OpenCNC software CNC and software motion is leading-edge foundation technology for CNC and General Motion control for the Internet age. In an industry dominated by proprietary hardware CNC/GMC solutions, MDSI has already proven that even high–end, multi–axis CNC machine tools can be controlled entirely from software—without any motion control cards or proprietary hardware—all from a single operating system, Microsoft® Windows NT®, running from a single processor. MDSI's patented core motion technology provides a common control across all machine types, including single- and dual-turret lathes, single- and multi-spindle precision drills, routers, mills, grinders, gear hobs, dial index machines, and gantry machines.

"South Bend Lathe is a time-honored metalcutting equipment company that has chosen our revolutionary software CNC to go forward in the 21st century," says James R. Fall, president and CEO, MDSI. "We welcome the opportunity to work with South Bend on their existing line of machines as well as the new products they will bring to market."

About MDSI

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies web-based shrink-wrapped software motion control applications that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing for the Computer Numerical Control (CNC), General Motion Control (GMC), and electronics equipment markets. The company’s soft motion and soft CNC products reduce machine tool control costs, increase productivity, extend the productive life of machine tools, and leverage the Internet for real-time data collection and remote diagnostics. Unlike traditional hardware or proprietary-based motion controls, MDSI's soft motion solutions use no proprietary hardware or motion control cards.

MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer-support. The company's customers, spanning many industries, include Boeing, Caterpillar, Cessna Aircraft, Dana, Detroit Diesel, Emerson Electric, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed–Martin, Marconi Precision Aerostructures, Tecumseh Products Company, Teledyne, Textron, and Vickers. For more information, visit MDSI's web site at http://www.mdsi2.com.

About South Bend Lathe

South Bend Lathe was created as The South Bend Machine Tool Company in 1906 by twin brothers who designed, tested, and built lathes in a one-room shop. Today South Bend Lathe supplies a complete line of metalworking equipment, including South Bend manual and CNC lathes, Chipmaster manual and CNC vertical mills and CNC machining centers, roll grinders, Deka drilling and tapping machines, and Johnson mechanical presses up to 300 tons. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.southbendlathe.com.

MDSI, the MDSI logo, and OpenCNC are registered trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. Significant Events and OpenEvents are trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Visual Basic, and Visual C++ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.