July 2014System Integration & Control Systems Design
Beckhoff’s Scientific Automation integrates robotics, measurement technology and condition monitoring into the standard control platform alongside PLC, motion control and safety technology. TwinCAT utilises the multi-core technology of modern processors, so that complex mathematical algorithms for robotic applications or measurement analysis can be performed on separate cores, without performance implications for the PLC. When configuring a PC-based controller with multi-core CPU, the TwinCAT user can define which cores are visible to the operating system and which ones are 100% available to the TwinCAT runtime. This allows robot transformations to be calculated on one core while the PLC is executed on another.
PC-based control integrates six-axis robot kinematics into the standard controller
With TwinCAT kinematic transformation, various robot kinematics such as 2-D parallel kinematics, 3-D delta or Scara can be programmed either with DIN 66025 commands or with the PLCopen-compliant function blocks from the PLC.
Beckhoff provides for a uniform appearance at the assembly cell with a scalable range of active and passive panels featuring multi-touch operating technology. Display sizes from 175 to 600 mm as well as versions with different connections and processor powers provide the user with maximum variety and flexibility. Further advantages of the multi-touch panel series are gained from the use of CP-Link 4, a one cable technology for separating the control unit from the PC by a distance of up to 100 m: Video signal, USB 2.0 and power supply are carried by a standard CAT.6A cable. The user benefits not only from the higher flexibility, but from the reduced cable and assembly costs.
Acceleration and angle measurement directly in the field
Measures to optimise machine availability, e.g. condition monitoring, are becoming increasingly important in mechanical engineering. To integrate condition monitoring Beckhoff offers suitable I/O components and TwinCAT 3 libraries, and the latest addition to this product family is the EP1816-3008 EtherCAT Box. Equipped with two integrated three-axis acceleration sensors and 16 digital inputs, it can be used for an easily installed and cost-effective implementation of vibration and shock as well as tilt monitoring in longitudinal and transverse directions. Thus users can acquire additional data on the status of robotic and gantry type applications with high precision and no great effort.
Pluggable system solution helps tackle skills shortages and addresses DC power supply needs Beckhoff Automation
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Sufficient storage options for renewable energies are essential to use them as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
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News
Hans Beckhoff, managing director, owner and founder of Beckhoff Automation, was recently honoured with the widely acclaimed Rudolf Diesel Medal 2025. This medal honours him as a visionary pioneer in automation technology.
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The intelligent transport system, XPlanar from Beckhoff provided the basis for an innovative system concept allowing the specialists at Automation NTH to reduce the space requirement of an assembly machine for medical diagnostic devices by a factor of 10.
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Established in 1974, Oilpower is a recognised name in South Africa’s hydraulic and pneumatic sector. What started as a small, family-run business has matured into a highly structured operation with specialised teams, experienced engineers and a reputation for technical excellence and reliability. Oilpower is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year
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For TME, a machine builder specialising in the packaging of powdered foods, Beckhoff’s PC-based control technology offers unlimited opportunities when it comes to performance and innovative capacity in terms of flexibility, scalability and openness.
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