Prima Electro S.p.A. (PRIMA INDUSTRIE Group) and YASKAWA Europe GmbH have signed an important strategic partnership agreement for the CNC market. Prima Electro chose SIGMA-5 SD drives and motors by YASKAWAto implement its new OSAI OPENcontrol CNC family, consisting of a unique platform combining the leading edge technologies of the two companies. The CNC and SIGMA-5 SD drives will be linked via the new Mechatrolink III fieldbus. Thanks to this partnership YASKAWAdrives and motors are now part of the new OPENcontrol product line, whose modularity and scalability are designed to allow customers to select hardware and software components according to their specific application needs. The platform and cooperation cover all the OPENcontrol software (OPEN-10 for GMC - General Motion Control, OPEN-20 and 30 for 2D and 3D applications, respectively) and hardware (OPEN-XS/M/L/XL) components. “The high scalability of OSAI numerical controls by Prima Electro with the new servo product line by YASKAWAwill deliver a unique multidrive system with power regeneration,” said a company spokes-person. “OPENcontrol steps into the market to become a reference platform for machine tools, even more in the wood/ stone/glass working, where together OSAI and YASKAWA represent a strong position worldwide. The new platformwill be properly positioned to enter the metalworking arena as well. Prima Electro’s OPEN Control will be available for milling machines and lathes. “Under this agreement YASKAWA will make its products available to Prima Electro for their integration and resale while the two companies join forces in the after-sales service thanks to their international networks of qualified engineers providing customized field services and support.” Federico De Sario, Prima Electro Executive VP Sales & Marketing, said, “This new platform represents a reference point in the machine tools market and thanks to the already known collaboration OSAI-YASKAWA, these brands are among the most used platforms in the machine tools industry.” Ralph Klein, YASKAWAExecutive Officer Drives & Motion Division, said, “With the new OPENcontrol platform, YASKAWAand Prima Electro can offer an optimized package for CNC applications. Due to this cooperation, customers will benefit by the synergies due to combining the knowledge of a strong, specialized CNC manufacturer and a market leader in the Drives and Motion area.” For more information contact: Prima Electro NorthAmerica, LLC 555 W. Algonquin Rd. IL 60005 860-883-3927 www.primaelectro.com