Many-core controllers will play a central role in the future of machine control and in the realisation of Industry 4.0 concepts. To meet the rising requirements of smart factories, with their increasingly intelligent machines and production systems, high-performance controllers such as the Beckhoff C6670 industrial server are becoming indispensable. To make effective use of this immense computing performance, however, powerful software support, such as that provided by the TwinCAT 3.1 automation platform, is a necessity.
Many-core computers differ from conventional industrial PCs in their architecture. They feature several processors, also referred to as ‘packages’, and each is equipped with multiple cores. Their memory architectures also provide a notable difference. One technique, known as non-uniform memory access (NUMA), provides each processor with its own dedicated memory. Beckhoff has implemented this design with its C6670 industrial server featuring two Intel Xeon packages, each offering 6, 12, or 18 cores and from 64 to 2,048 GB of RAM.
This immense computing power can only be utilised effectively, however, if the performance of each core is fully leveraged by TwinCAT 3.1 software. The flagship control software from Beckhoff is capable of mapping the various machine and process workflows – highly suitable for parallelisation and distribution of different tasks as function modules.
Easy modularisation and user-friendly diagnostics
With TwinCAT, users can implement individual automation tasks in the form of modules. Written in PLC or C++ code, these machine modules are assigned to individual tasks within the TwinCAT system and executed in user-defined cycles. The tasks can then be simply distributed over the real-time cores. To intelligently define the execution sequence, the individual tasks can be prioritised.
Critical for reaching the highest level of system performance, the diagnostic functionality of TwinCAT 3.1 analyses the load of each core individually. Cores can also be assigned exclusively to the TwinCAT runtime process, in which case they are referred to as ‘isolated’ because they do not execute any Microsoft operating system functions along with the TwinCAT real-time system. This makes it easy to separate Windows processes from real-time processes.
Support for up to 256 processor cores
Since TwinCAT 3.1 was designed for up to 256 processor cores, it provides a future-proof solution, offering the ability to run automation applications on the complete spectrum of currently available processors. Depending on the amount of computing performance needed, the system designer can configure the appropriate number of cores for the respective real-time applications.
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...Siemens ecosystem strengthens data and AI integration Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has announced significant expansions to its Industrial Edge ecosystem, accelerating data and AI integration and releasing enhanced cybersecurity functionalities. These enable a seamless integration of IT and OT environments, optimise processes and reduce operational disruptions.
Read more...Siemens manages shipbuilding process for HD Hyundai Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has been selected by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering as a preferred partner to establish an integrated platform to manage the entire shipbuilding process as a single data flow to help ensure consistency across all its global shipyard facilities.
Read more...Transforming the process industry through digitalisation Endress+Hauser South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
By connecting field devices, systems and people, digitalisation creates new opportunities to optimise operations, enhance maintenance strategies and support continuous improvement. As a leading instrumentation provider and major source of process data, Endress+Hauser plays a key role in enabling this transformation.
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.
Read more...The assets you can’t see are the ones that can shut you down
IT in Manufacturing
ABEGuardOT is an asset management solution that delivers continuous, non-intrusive visibility across multi-vendor environments, including Siemens, Rockwell, ABB, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, Emerson, GE and Yokogawa, with support for OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, Modbus and Profibus.
Read more...Edge I/O NTS and the need for industrial speed Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
One of the most compelling solutions to emerge from industrial automation is Edge I/O NTS, which represents a natural evolution of computing from centralised servers to localised, device-level input/output processing, offering improved speed, efficiency and resilience.
Read more...The next wave of AI-driven process automation Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
As process industries hurtle toward an AI-driven future, four powerful trends are set to redefine automation strategies in 2026: hyper automation, AI-first automation, low code/no code platforms, and advanced process intelligence.
Read more...Huge increase in denial-of-service cyber threats
IT in Manufacturing
NETSCOUT has released its Distributed Denial-of-Service Threat Intelligence report, revealing sophisticated attacker collaboration, resilient botnets and compromised IoT infrastructure that drove more than eight million DDoS attacks worldwide.
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.
printer friendly version