With the LMC078, Schneider Electric is launching a machine controller that combines PLC and CNC functions in a single device. The controller has been specially developed for applications in wood, metal and glass processing as well as for processing materials such as rubber, plastic, ceramic or stone. The CNC function allows machining programs to be derived from CAD data. The controller drives a maximum of eight synchronous drive axes, whose movements can be programmed with 'SoMachine'. The motion controller can import standardized G-codes directly to accelerate NC-CNC manufacturing processes. The controller is compatible with standards such as DIN 66025 for CNC languages or the IEC 61131-3 guideline for PLCs. According to the manufacturer, the controller is ten times faster than the 'LMC058' model in terms of computing power, and bus cycle times are four times faster with Sercos III. This allows users to synchronize up to eight axes in 1 ms and handle the 3D interpolation of motion profiles in real time. The controller has twelve inputs and eight outputs. Interfaces such as USB, mini-USB, Ethernet, Modbus serial (RTU) and TCP, FTP server, NetManage, BOOTP/DHCP client and OPC server are available for commissioning, visualization and connectivity. Optionally, users can connect the controller to a higher-level controller via Profibus/DP or Ethernet/IP.