PC and EtherCAT-based control technology for assembly and handling.
Assembly lines consist of several units, which are often developed and tested independently of one another. The new runtime environment of TwinCAT 3 is also modularly structured, allowing developers to make use of a large number of existing modules and combine them in a modern development environment based on Microsoft Visual Studio to form new modules or entire control programs. Both the IEC 61131-3 automation languages and C and C++ are available and can be used alongside one another. Additional development tools such as Matlab/Simulink can also be used to create modules. By means of the interaction of the TwinCAT 3 control modules via defined interfaces on a common control platform, the full performance of an industrial or embedded PC can be utilised without communication or synchronisation losses.
TwinCAT 3 can use all cores of modern CPUs and can also be used on both 32 and 64-bit systems. The TwinCAT tasks can be outsourced to different CPU cores. This further increases the performance of the PC controller and, in addition to PLC and motion control, can integrate functions such as measurement technology, condition monitoring and robotics. Beckhoff PC-based control technology provides the necessary foundation with powerful CPUs, fast I/O, the fast EtherCAT bus system and TwinCAT software.
PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding. This enables extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...Hans Beckhoff receives German Mechanical Engineering Award Beckhoff Automation
News
Hans Beckhoff has received the 2025 German Mechanical Engineering Award. This prestigious award honours entrepreneurs who have set standards in machine and system engineering, driven innovation, and taken on social responsibility.
Read more...Valmet modernises turbine automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Valmet has received an order to deliver a comprehensive replacement of plant DCS and turbine control systems at Ennatuurlijk’s combined cycle power plant in the Netherlands.
Read more...Intuitive CNC HMIs with simulation functionality Beckhoff Automation
SCADA/HMI
The TwinCAT 3 automation software from Beckhoff offers two new function libraries for CNC-specific user interfaces. These were used to create an advanced, intuitive HMI application specifically for CNC purposes and to simulate part machining using real-time data.
Read more...PC-based control technology in additive manufacturing Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
As an open control platform, PC-based control supports different engineering approaches, including low-code programming. The machine builder, Additive Industries uses this to create the code for the TwinCAT runtime of its 3D printers.
Read more...Integrating fire alarm systems into building management systems Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Fire alarm systems work independently of the building automation system. Schrack Seconet has developed a flexible gateway using ultra-compact industrial PCs and TwinCAT from Beckhoff, which can be used to flexibly convert a customer-specific communication protocol to a wide range of transmission standards.
Read more...Hybrid DCS for an evolving industrial landscape Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Today’s industrial automation continues to evolve at a blistering speed, which means traditional DCSs have to keep up to ensure continuous integration into modern, digital infrastructure.
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