Esautomotion S p A : Anticipate the future. The R&D team at Esautomotion.

Anticipate the future. The R&D team at Esautomotion.

In an increasingly competitive scenario in which numerical controls must control hyper-sophisticated and fast machines, continuous technological research is a central element in Esautomotion's growth strategy.

To face this challenge, Esautomotion's R&D function, structured into two departments, Software and Hardware, has undergone significant qualitative and quantitative strengthening, with the entry of new managers and talents from the best Italian universities.

R&D Software. Proudly designed in Italy, globally performing.

The Software R&D team, led by Lorenzo Brandoli, Technical Director and Software Development Manager of Esautomotion, has 15 researchers.

"With a degree in electronic engineering behind me, I joined Esautomotion way back in 1990" - "Lorenzo Brandoli introduces himself - "In those days Motorola systems were used, which was the absolute leader in processors. Over time, I have collaborated in the migration to Intel PC-based systems which, in their various evolutions, have equipped a very successful series such as the ViS600 and today the new ViS800. We are working on the next migration from Intel/Windows to ARM/Linux multicores, which will equip the new generation of ViS900 CNCs. In these cases, the challenge is to "change everything to change nothing" towards customers: all previous functionality and stability must be rigorously maintained, while ensuring improved speed and performance."

"On this project we avail ourselves of the collaboration of the HiPeRT Lab (High-Perfomance Real-Time Systems Laboratory), a spinoff of the University of Modena" - announces Brandoli - from whom we asked for support in the development of the new operating system and new algorithms , in particular regarding the possibility of simulations using AI and machine learning logics".

"A peculiarity that differentiates us from our competitors is the internal design of the software at the Carpi HQ, without any outsourcing" - Brandoli remarks - "An important competitive advantage that guarantees us maximum integration and control of all phases, from design to stability tests up to production".

"It would also be wrong to think that our role ends at the moment of the launch of a new CNC" - underlines Brandoli - "It must, in fact, be considered that we operate in a typically B2B market and we must necessarily ensure long availability of the products, at least 10 years. So constant updates yes but with a view to evolution and never revolution. This is a philosophy that we have managed to maintain even during the global processor shortage during the pandemic. Thanks to the close collaboration with colleagues in the Hardware department, we often had to change the CPUs normally used with others without any impact on the stability of the CNCs".

Hardware R&D. The best components hunters around the world.

Leonardo Cristofani is Hardware Development Manager, with responsibility for development and Quality Control for all Esautomotion products.

"My team makes use of 2 engineers for the development of the electronic part, another 2 for the mechanical part and one for the engineering" - declares Cristofani - "We take care of the research and selection of the components, the prototyping and testing phases , internally and at customers' premises, of obtaining the various necessary certifications and approvals as well as the manuals and technical documentation. Our natural interlocutor is obviously my friend Lorenzo's R&D Software but we interact with practically all the internal functions, from Sales to Purchasing, as well as providing technical assistance when requested".

"As already said by Lorenzo Brandoli, we are emerging from complicated years in terms of material procurement" - underlines Cristofani - "Thanks also to the typical Esautomotion flexibility and a bit of Italian creativity, we managed to manage the situation satisfactorily, avoiding delays in delivery but, certainly, it was a period of great pressure for my team, who I thank for their dedication and commitment in … "rounding up" components around the world".

"At the moment we are busy, with our colleagues from the R&D Software team, for the day after tomorrow, that is to say the development of the futuristic ViS-900 series, which will require the design from scratch of the electrical circuitry and the identification of all the hardware components " - announces Cristofani - "It is a sector in constant and almost frenetic evolution, with launches that continuously follow one another: one of the priorities is to stay updated on what is happening and will happen, to never be caught unprepared. Simplifying, today it is possible to obtain better performance with fewer components than a few years ago, which translates into less complexity, reduction in size and faster assembly times."

"I believe that the future lies in electrical CAD, which will allow us to carry out reliable operation simulations in our laboratories rather than online on customer systems" - highlights Cristofani again - "The comparison is with Formula 1 simulators, which drivers use now daily for tests and driving tests. On the other hand, we are not far from Modena, home of Ferrari, and therefore we already have it in our DNA (smiles)".