CC-Link IE TSN delivers high-speed precision and simplified architecture for KFT slicing systems

KFT Food Machinery develops high-performance slicing equipment used in some of the food industry’s most demanding production environments. When the company needed a way to support ultra-fast, multi-axis motion control in its slicer range, it turned to CC-Link IE TSN – the open industrial Ethernet technology from the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA).

From sausage peelers to co-extrusion systems, KFT’s machinery is designed with a focus on robustness and ease of use. The company’s customers work in high-output environments where equipment needs to perform consistently across long shifts and frequent changeovers.

KFT’s slicing machines represent one of the most technically advanced product families in its portfolio. These systems use ten or more independently controlled servo axes and can perform up to 14 precision cuts per second. Maintaining this level of precision and speed requires an advanced motion control architecture with fast, deterministic communication between components.

Delivering high-speed motion control

To meet this challenge, KFT integrated CC-Link IE TSN into its slicer range. This allows it to synchronise multiple servo axes in real time while keeping the system architecture clean and maintainable.

“The integration of a servo and motion control system supported by CC-Link IE TSN has been the definitive solution to our requirements,” says Marti Clos, CEO at KFT. “Thanks to its gigabit bandwidth, and the converged network architecture enabled by Time-Sensitive Networking, this protocol provides high transmission speed, deterministic synchronisation across all axes, and the ability to carry both real-time control and diagnostic data on the same network.”

KFT’s engineers noted a clear leap in performance, with the consistent, high-speed communication delivered by CC-Link IE TSN supporting stable, high-precision cutting – even at maximum speed. This has improved both productivity and reliability, while reducing the risk of unplanned downtime or inconsistent results.

The network’s bandwidth and flexibility also allowed KFT to simplify its control system design, and by adopting CC-Link IE TSN, the team was able to standardise its communications structure across motion control, I/O, and other peripherals, including pneumatic and safety systems. This has reduced wiring and integration complexity, making commissioning faster and easier to support.

“It allows us to simplify the communication structure, reducing complexity and setup time,” explains Marti “We now have a future-proof foundation that supports machine scaling and expansion into new areas, like pneumatic and safety controls.”

KFT has also been able to standardise key elements of its motion programming, reusing code and parameters between machines to support product consistency and shorten development cycles.

Technology for future performance

With CC-Link IE TSN now established as part of its slicer architecture, KFT plans to expand its use of the technology across future designs. In addition to further integration of safety and pneumatic devices, the team sees long-term benefits in adopting a consistent, open communication backbone for all motion-driven systems.

The decision to adopt CC-Link IE TSN has allowed KFT to deliver the high-speed, multi-axis coordination needed for modern slicing equipment – while improving system design, scalability, and ease of implementation.

“CC-Link IE TSN offers the performance, robustness, and flexibility we need,” says Marti. “It’s helped us push our machine capabilities forward, and it’s easy to implement and expand.”

“It’s fantastic to see companies like KFT pushing the boundaries of machine performance by adopting CC-Link IE TSN,” says John Browett, General Manager of the CC-Link Partner Association – Europe. “Seeing more and more machine builders embracing the benefits of open, high-speed industrial networking confirms just how valuable this technology is for today’s – and tomorrow’s – automation challenges.”

Image 1: KFT Food Machinery develops high-performance slicing equipment used in some of the food industry’s most demanding production environments.

Image 2: KFT's machines can perform up to 14 precision cuts per second, and require an advanced motion control architecture with fast, deterministic communication.

Image 3: By adopting CC-Link IE TSN, KFT could standardise communications structure across motion control, I/O, and other peripherals, including pneumatic and safety systems.

Image 4: Adopting CC-Link IE TSN has reduced wiring and integration complexity, making commissioning faster and easier to support.

About The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA)

The CLPA is an international organisation founded in 2000 for the technical development and promotion of the CC-Link family of open automation networks. The CLPA's key technology is CC-Link IE TSN, the world's first open industrial Ethernet to combine gigabit bandwidth with Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), making it the leading solution for the digitalisation of manufacturing. Currently the CLPA has 4,400 member companies worldwide and 3,300 compatible products available from over 400 manufacturers. 43 million devices using CLPA technology are in use globally.

Anyone interested in joining the organization can apply here: https://www.cc-link.org/en/clpa/members/index.html

Further Information:
Website: eu.cc-link.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cc-link-partner-association-europe/
X: x.com/cc_linknews
YouTube: youtube.com/user/CLPAEurope