Thread: Fusion vs Matrixx control

Looking at a HCN5000 What is the difference between the 2 controls? the machine i am looking at is an 06 and has the Fusion. Just curious if i want to hold out and get the Matrixx control?

it's a cost/benefit decision, mostly. the matrix is the biggest mazatrol overhaul in the history of Mazak, in my humble opinion.

Matrix has a virtual solid model of the whole machine and work area and workpiece and tooling, if you take the time to define all that.

and really robust barriers that take some work to master and tune and understand.

All the shortcomings you may have acclimated with pre-matrix have been addressed with enthusiasm. for example - pocket-mountain and the other face machining units can now use multiple islands, instead of just one major and one minor. a lot more horsepower in selecting ramp in methods, putting rapid or higher feed moves in your part shape.

In short, it allows you to overcome the modest limitations of previous mazatrol.

The program verication in mazatrol using solid model is EXCELLENT! If your tool sets, tool definitions, wpc's and workpiece definitions are high quality, thne the verification is similar to vericut simulations. not as robust as vericut, though.

2 mb std memory instead of 1, expandable to 8 mb.

incredible control and system resolution. the high end machines, like most horizontals, have encoder/resolvers that count like 1.5 MILLION pulses per rev! the low end stuff "only" counts around 200,000 pulses per rev!
all matrix is .00001" input/output resolution!

All this additional capability requires more effort towards mastery, which some people may not like.

For example - all matrix has the capability of importing fixture and workpiece parasolid model import. I suspect that 99.8% of all end users either dont use it or even know it exists!

EIA is standard, and you can do a solid verification of G code, if you feed it the various parasolid models it needs to be fully functional in G code.

some get by with running G code from a mazatrol main program, which gives you the best of both worlds.

If you like state of the art tech, matrix is it. Fusion is pretty good, also, but matrix is the most robust mazatrol overhaul in history. (mazatrol principals were pretty much set in the mid 80's, changes mostly behind the control and operation navigation changes, but mazatrol principals are CLASSIC, and the guys that created mazatrol in the late seventies were CNC VISIONARIES, in my opinion.)

-Jim

I think Seekins is looking to use 100% EIA programming, so a lot of the Mazatrol stuff isn't important for him. Something you touched on though about the encoders.....the Matrix encoders are 16,000,0000 pulses per revolution! Yes, 16 million! Crazy stuff.

Also, the Matrix is USB and Ethernet ready. Plug it in and it pops up on your network. The Fusion uses RS232 (which actually works very well). You can network the Fusion, but you have to get a special networking card that fits in the control. Newer Fusion Nexus controls like the HCN might have this stuff already included.

The temperature compensation on the Matrix is supposed to be better too, but I don't have any proof to back that up. I've got the Fusion and Matrix and neither have ever shown me any accuracy problems.

The .00001 resolution is very nice when making offsets. Especially on cutter comp for circle milling. If you want to go up .0001 on diameter, just adjust by .00005 and you're done. (Yes, the machine is that accurate).

Both of them have a huge hard drive that you can "drip feed" from. If you have a giant 3D surfacing program, you load it onto the hard drive as a sub, and then call it from the regular memory. It calls up that program just like any other. The Matrix hard drive is 20GB, and I can't remember how big the Fusion's is.

Fusion is 2 gigs....

... and yeah... what they all said...

Matrix: Improved thermal comp, improved vibration control, 16million pulse encoders, .00001" res (.0001 metric), .0001 angular res, dual engine processor, 20gig drive, ethernet/HD operation, 3D Virtual Machining for Mazatrol AND EIA (like 3D backplotting or verify... not as good as a true CAD/CAM but a nice feature), collision protection, multiple USB plug ins, MatrixCam outputs,

But the Fusion is still a very nice control... Matrix is just a huge improvement. I'd weigh the costs to a Matrix machine. An '06 HCN with a Fusion eh? Must be one of the last ones because Matrix machines came out the same year...

"An '06 HCN with a Fusion eh? Must be one of the last ones because Matrix machines came out the same year... "

it depends on the model on when the Matrix was introduced. i just installed an 07 slant 50 it had a fusion control.

OK... let me rephrase...

Matrix HCN5000 came out that yearend ....


And you are correct. Not all models to this day have changed over. A brand new FH-10800/12800 are still Fusion... A Vortech still doesn't even have Mazatrol controller, it's still a FANUC... Anglax is still Fusion (I believe)....... etc, etc...

never seen a vortech or an anglax. why no mazatrol on the vortech?

The Vortech was originally concepted for the Aerospace industry of a particular customer. Originally, it had to do with the concept of having the "like control" of other equipment... FANUC in this case. Not to mention M+ and first release Fusions couldn't deal with it... FANUC was ahead on this at the time. I'm not 100% but I think Matrix may be available now on the standard model but the 5X is definately still FANUC. I also think that it has something to do with the 5X coding and controls as well.

Mazatrol still has some differences... not necessarily problems but differences in the manerism and how certain toolpath comps are handled or required. It's kind of funny considering Matrix can control a eMachine with sub spindles, lower turrets, programmable roller rests (in the cut), ... dual turns and the new "i" machine but they won't cross this one over. I suppose when somebody buys one and asks for the Matrix to be installed, then they'll start offering it....

Hmmm...

i have a fusion on a vtc200c and a matrix on a qtn100m

the matrix is much more user friendly imo but the fusion is not far behind
you can play mp3 files from the matrix and you can patience on the fusion.

but what i like the most about the matrix is the MAZAK VOICE ADVISER.
seriously i dont have zoomer on my machine and when i am sitting behind the pc browsing the forums i know when the machine is ready

Originally Posted by alkometal

i have a fusion on a vtc200c and a matrix on a qtn100m

the matrix is much more user friendly imo but the fusion is not far behind
you can play mp3 files from the matrix and you can patience on the fusion.

but what i like the most about the matrix is the MAZAK VOICE ADVISER.
seriously i dont have zoomer on my machine and when i am sitting behind the pc browsing the forums i know when the machine is ready

Alkometal, have you gone in and edited the phrases for the voice adviser? You can really get creative.

A buddy of mine has an HCN8800, and he has it saying, "Do you know how much this machine costs?" when it's switched to 100% rapid.

When it's put in Memory mode, it says, "If you crash this bitch, you'll be working at McDonalds."