For efficient energy management in building and plant operation, it is necessary to log the consumption of water, electricity, and heat at the shortest possible intervals. PC-based control from Beckhoff offers the ideal basis for the acquisition and processing of this consumption data, including secure communication with Cloud-connected database systems.
Consumption data concerning the use of electricity, water, heat or gas in networked buildings, properties, towns or plants can be made available via the Cloud. These large quantities of data – often referred to as ‘big data’ – can be used by building occupants, building operators or municipalities in order to optimise energy consumption.
Malfunctions and excessive consumption can be easily identified. This identification of malfunctions, as well as gathering detailed, highly accurate consumption statistics, often remotely, is streamlined through this process.
Beckhoff supplies the ideal platform for smart metering in PC-based control. Consumption data is cost-effectively acquired via modular Beckhoff I/O terminals. These flexible devices are ideal for the most diverse types of signals, either by the direct connection of a sensor, by distributed I/Os on a fieldbus (e.g. EtherCAT, Profinet or BACnet/IP) or via lower-level buses such as M-Bus. Control, regulation, and data pre-processing are performed by an embedded PC, which is easily scalable with different performance classes. The programming of PLC functions, the integration of program codes as required (such as for C++), and the configuration of I/O points, database interfaces and the OPC UA (unified architecture) communication protocol, all take place in the universal TwinCAT engineering environment. A modern, Cloud-connected system interface can be realised via the TwinCAT database server. Optionally, the data can also be buffered and analysed locally in an Embedded PC.
With OPC UA, the embedded PC serves as the client and the higher-level energy management software as the OPC UA server. OPC UA offers the option of secure data communication, standardised according to IEC 62541.
Introduction to Part 2 loop signatures and process transfer functions
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The previous series of loop signature articles dealt with the basics of control loop optimisation, and concentrated on troubleshooting and ‘SWAG’ tuning of simple processes. In this new series, consideration will be given to dealing practically with more difficult issues like interactive processes, and with processes with much more complex dynamics.
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Siemens is setting new standards in industrial drive technology with the launch of its new high-performance drive system, Sinamics S220. This offers a seamless and innovative drive system with comprehensive simulation and analysis capabilities and advanced connectivity features that enable full integration into digital work processes.
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Nissei Plastic, an injection moulding machine manufacturer based in Japan is implementing a worldwide tend towards open automation systems from experienced specialists using PC and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...Loop Signature 31: Non-linearity in control loops (Part 2) Michael Brown Control Engineering
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This article is a continuation of Loop Signature 30 published in the last issue in this series, exploring reasons for non-linearities which may be encountered in feedback control loops
Read more...PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies has unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding (pins). This enables an extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...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.
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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.
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