The international BACnet standard, which ensures interoperability between building automation devices from different manufacturers, is steadily gaining in importance as new features are being added. Revision 12 delivers a series of innovations that Beckhoff has already implemented in its BACnet stack for TwinCAT.
To achieve intelligent automation that encompasses all of a building’s technical systems, the controller must have the information from each component at its disposal in order to coordinate them. Beckhoff provides the required basic software and hardware for such applications: the Bus Terminal system with 400 different I/O components that supports all common sensors and actuators, scalable controllers ranging from bus terminal controllers to embedded PC devices to powerful industrial PCs, and the TwinCAT automation software with its building automation PLC libraries.
Transparent integration of BACnet
Since a standards based communication architecture is key to vendor-independent building automation, Beckhoff has placed special emphasis on the transparent integration of BACnet in its TwinCAT automation solution.
The rail-mountable embedded PCs CX8091, CX9020, CX5010 and CX5020 are now certified as per BACnet standard Rev. 12. The controllers with stackable I/O levels provide scalable performance, ranging from the CX8091, which supports up to 250 BACnet objects in typical control applications, to the CX5020, which is recommended for applications with up to 3000 BACnet objects. Thanks to extensive performance improvements in comparison with Rev. 6, the controllers are now capable of processing more than twice the number of BACnet objects without a change in processor load.
The precise scalability of the Beckhoff building controllers on the basis of performance classes provides significant cost benefits. Users that require more processor performance can simply scale-up to the next controller platform.
How the DCS can step off the hardware obsolescence treadmill Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Ageing servers and unsupported operating systems are quietly eroding the stability of process plants that rely on distributed control systems. Kobus Vermeulen of Schneider Electric explains how virtualising the DCS environment can break the hardware obsolescence cycle without disrupting operations.
Read more...Test bench for temperature calibrating power semiconductors Beckhoff Automation
Temperature Measurement
Precise temperature characteristics are essential for performing power cycling tests on power semiconductors. Infineon Technologies determines these characteristic curves on a test bench using PC-based control. As a result, calibration has become more precise and the efficiency of the entire test laboratory has increased significantly.
Read more...XTS for highly efficient end-of-line packaging of beverage bottles Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
Italian machine builder Clevertech used Beckhoff’s XTS linear transport system to help a Dutch distillery double its bottle packaging throughput to 225 bottles per minute while cutting format changeover times from 30 minutes to just seven.
Read more...Motion control for flight simulators Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Turkish specialist, SANLAB is a leader in motion platforms and simulation technologies. At the heart of these platforms are application-specific servo drives, servomotors and industrial PCs for real-time control, which are supplied by Beckhoff.
Read more...Centralised control rooms where growth is elastic, not physical Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Modernised control rooms feature distributed control system architecture consolidated into centralised compute environments. replacing traditional PCs with thin clients.
Read more...Appointment Beckhoff Automation
News
Beckhoff Automation has appointed Luzuko Bulembu as technical support engineer.
Read more...A single platform for all automation functions Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.
Read more...40 years of PC-based control Beckhoff Automation
News
When Beckhoff elevated the industrial computer to the status of a central control system four decades ago, a paradigm shift occurred.
Read more...Dynamic control of industrial solar plants and energy storage systems Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
Spanish Group, Power Electronics has demonstrated its comprehensive expertise in sustainable energy supply in over 3000 solar and energy storage projects with a total installed capacity of 120 GW. To control its modular systems, the company relies on open, high-performance Beckhoff control technology.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version