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.
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.