Motion Control & Drives


Small local controller integrates virtual device

August 2013 Motion Control & Drives

When the optional virtual device (slave interface) is activated, the CX8093 Embedded PC behaves like two Profinet devices. Accordingly, twice the maximum input/output data volume can be processed – with Profinet approximately 1000 bytes, i.e. the CX8093 can process twice the number of process data. The network name of the ‘two’ devices can be set via the address switch or the TwinCAT System Manager. The IP settings are allocated by the controller.

A further benefit of the virtual device is the ability to communicate with a second Profinet controller, which is a simple way to increase system availability. On the one hand, the CX8093 (as a local controller) can verify the two incoming master signals by means of a plausibility check to monitor the function of the cabling, for example. On the other hand, failure of one of the masters can be detected and the second master can respond accordingly.

The space-saving CX8093 Embedded PC measures only 65 x 100 x 80 mm. It runs Windows CE 6.0 and features a 400 MHz ARM9 CPU and a MicroSD card with up to 4 GB storage capacity. In addition to bus terminals, EtherCAT terminals can also be connected directly. During start-up, the device automatically detects which of these I/O systems is connected. Another special feature is a capacitive 1-second UPS that enables persistent data to be saved in the event of a supply voltage failure. The controller is programmed via the TwinCAT PLC automation software.

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



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