BECKHOFF Automation (www.beckhoff.com) is proud to announce the release of the all-new EP6002 EtherCAT Box Modules that allow external devices to directly integrate with a serial interface, like RFID or barcode readers, in a wide field without using a control cabinet.

With the use of selectable RS232 or RS422/RS485 interfaces, the powerful and compact IP67 EtherCAT Box Modules with two channels deliver high flexibility to allow serial devices to be directly integrated into an EtherCAT network.

EtherCAT Box Modules measure only 126 mm in height, 30 mm in width, and 26.5 mm in depth, and are ideal for applications in confined spaces.

The box modules transfer data in a totally transparent way into a higher level EtherCAT controller, while the active serial communication channels function in full duplex mode to up to 115,200 Bd. The 128 byte transmit buffer and an 864 byte receive buffer are supplied for the data’s temporary storage in the EtherCAT Box.

Serial devices are linked to the EP6002 through the rugged M12 plug connectors. The EP6002 EtherCAT Box, with the “TwinCAT Virtual Serial COM Driver”, can be used without the use of a controller as a COM interface in Windows operating systems.