PLCs, DCSs & Controllers


PC and EtherCAT-based control technology

October 2012 PLCs, DCSs & Controllers

At EuroBlech in Germany, between 23 and 27 October, Beckhoff will present its integrated solution for metal forming. PC and EtherCAT-based control increases the control quality, enabling machines to run faster and with higher precision.

Sheet metal components come in all shapes and sizes, requiring a wide range of machining processes including rolling, cutting, stamping, folding, drawing, joining, cleaning and finishing. Beckhoff controls presses, punches, transfer units, straightening machines, lubrication units and cutters. For these diverse requirements Beckhoff offers an integrated, scalable control platform in the form of PC and EtherCAT-based control. A single industrial PC is used for control, motion and HMI. This way, the high processor power offered by PC technology eliminates the need for special hardware: position and pressure controllers for hydraulic valves, for example, can be replaced with software. The Industrial PC can deal with highly complex control algorithms without performance implications and still has sufficient performance reserves for additional functions such as condition monitoring or safety features.

EtherCAT guarantees high control quality

Presses require sophisticated control technology, since high forces are applied at high speeds. EtherCAT, the real-time Ethernet fieldbus, in conjunction with PC-based control, enables smaller sampling rates, so that the machine can run faster and at the same time with higher precision. All necessary process signals can be integrated simply and inexpensively into the controller via the Beckhoff I/O systems in protection class IP20 or IP67: from the digital I/Os, high-precision measuring terminals and safety functions to condition monitoring.

For more information contact Kenneth McPherson, Beckhoff Automation, +27 (0)11 795 2898, [email protected], www.beckhoff.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

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...
New energy-efficient evaporation line for dissolving pulp production
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Valmet will deliver a new evaporation line to Altri Biotek mill in Portugal. This delivery is part of Altri’s €75 million project to convert the Biotek mill to produce dissolving pulp for the textile industry.

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...
Industrial PC for high demand on 3D graphics or deeply integrated vision
Beckhoff Automation Industrial Computer Hardware
Beckhoff Automation’s C6043 industrial PC with NVIDIA GPU handles applications with high demands on 3D graphics or deeply integrated vision and AI program blocks with minimal cycle times.

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.

Read more...
Open control technology reduces energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Beckhoff Automation IT in Manufacturing
The Swedish company Airwatergreen AB is breaking new ground in the dehumidification of air in industrial buildings and warehouses. PC-based control from Beckhoff regulates the innovative process.

Read more...









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.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved