The EtherCAT I/O system from Beckhoff is being expanded with new fibre-optic-compatible hardware. Using the EK1501 EtherCAT coupler and the EK1521 junction terminal, more flexible topologies are now possible with glass fibre technology.
Besides its high performance and low system costs, EtherCAT also stands out due to its flexible topological characteristics. The EtherCAT Terminal system from Beckhoff supports all topology variants: line, ring, tree and star. This flexibility is continued in the wiring and the selection of different cables. The maximum distance between two stations is 100 m using a standard Ethernet cable (100BASE-TX). With the new fibre-optic modules, greatly extended networking up to 2 km is possible (100BASE-FX).
The EK1501 fibre-optic coupler connects EtherCAT to an arbitrary number of EtherCAT Terminals. Connection is made via SC duplex sockets. A further fibre-optic module can be optionally connected via a second port; an additional switch is not required.
The EK1501 EtherCAT Terminal with fibre-optic interface enables conversion to multimode glass fibre technology within a terminal line. The combination of line and branches or stubs is particularly useful for system wiring. Applications for the fibre-optic module will primarily be in widely distributed systems, such as wind farms or high tension systems. Even cable redundant systems with fibre-optic can be realised using the EtherCAT branch.
Rittal’s flat-pack enclosure solution Rittal
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
The launch of Rittal’s FR IT flat-pack enclosure earlier this year marked a milestone for the company, introducing the local market to a high-capacity, top-tier IT enclosure in a convenient and cost-effective flat-pack format for the first time.
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...Appointment Beckhoff Automation
News
Beckhoff Automation has appointed Luzuko Bulembu as technical support engineer.
Read more...Reliable connectivity for the food and beverage industry LAPP Southern Africa
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
The food and beverage industry operates in one of the most demanding industrial environments where hygiene, efficiency and reliability are critical to daily operations. To support these growing industry demands, LAPP has introduced a new generation of sensor cordsets designed to perform in challenging food and beverage environments.
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.
Read more...Safety-critical fibre optic systems in mining Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Omniflex highlights the importance of fibre optic technology in in enabling systems in the mining industry to transmit shutdown commands reliably over tens of kilometres and verify that they have been executed.
Read more...Compact integration of 3A and 4A connectors
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
With the new AT-HA grommet, icotek is expanding its innovative IMAS-CONNECT adapter system with a forward-looking solution for industrial use.
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