Based on the XFC (eXtreme Fast Control), XMold bundles the injection moulding know-how gained by Beckhoff from many years of experience in the industry. XMold offers an integrated control solution for demanding applications of hydraulic, servo-electric or hybrid injection moulding machines and is primarily designed for complex applications with multi-component injection units or extensive core-pulling programs. High-speed applications and complete production cells can also be implemented.
The system consists of a CP6216-1004 Panel PC with second-generation Intel Celeron, a 400 mm widescreen display in portrait mode, Beckhoff I/Os and technology software as well as drive components for servo-electric machines as an option. eXtreme Fast Control technology, which is based on the EtherCAT high-speed communication system, enables the sampling of rapidly changing input signals with a temporal resolution of 50 μs, allowing the injection process to be controlled with high precision.
Standard functions of injection moulding machines, such as the complete procedure of switching over to holding pressure, are included in the TwinCAT Injection Molding PLC Framework technology software. This saves users valuable development time, without limiting the possibilities for customer-specific technology development.
The key arrangement of the XMold panel is optimised for the injection moulding process. The panel offers the optimum in ergonomic operating quality and both standard and complex processes can be controlled via the XMold user interface. The large screen area with touch function enables clear process visualisation. Permanent status display and active operating screens are arranged in a clear and transparent overview.
Thanks to the attractive, ergonomic design of the operator interface and the programming of the actual operating logic independently of it, machine manufacturers are able to create customer specific HMIs quickly and flexibly. With the icon editor Beckhoff has created a simple graphic programming interface that requires no specific programming knowledge and minimises the effort required for adapting certain machine sequences.
Using XMold, manufacturers of plastics machines benefit from the widespread use of EtherCAT, since, in addition to the extensive Beckhoff portfolio, there is a large selection of third-party components available for integration into the control systems.
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