In a recent podcast interview, we got the chance to talk with Jeff Johnson of Beckhoff Automation about linear-motor conveyors (also called intelligent transport systems) as well as the planar-motor system from Beckhoff called the XPlanar. Listen in: Design World · Planar motors and linear transfer systems in action! Beckhoff engineer Jeff Johnson explains […]
Beckhoff
TwinCAT IoT now supports Siemens’ MindSphere
MindSphere, the Industrial IoT as a service solution from Siemens, is now one of the latest solutions that can integrate with TwinCAT. Beckhoff has offered diverse IoT communication capabilities with its TwinCAT IoT product family since 2015. Transmitting data to the cloud or between networked machines in this way creates enormous potential for increasing production […]
Integrated servo drives in EtherCAT I/O terminal format
The new ELM72xx EtherCAT Terminals from Beckhoff are fully functional servo drives in a robust metal housing that deliver an output current (Irms) of up to 16 A at 48 V dc for the power supply. They expand the company’s portfolio of compact drive technology in I/O terminal format and offer all of the current […]
New integrated servo drives from Beckhoff expand automation beyond control cabinets
The new AMI812x series of integrated servo drives expands the Beckhoff compact drive technology portfolio (up to 48 V dc) with devices for distributed installation in the field. The integration of servomotor, output stage and fieldbus connection in a space-saving design makes the drives suitable for automation outside of control cabinets in the motion power […]
Beckhoff introduces contact-free, flying motion technology with XPlanar
Beckhoff is unlocking entirely new possibilities in machine design with the introduction of XPlanar. In this innovative system for flying motion control, planar movers float freely above planar tiles arranged in customizable layouts and enable extremely flexible, precise and highly dynamic positioning. For machine builders and manufacturers, this results in maximum flexibility and simplification in […]
XTS from Beckoff offers hygienic design with optimal cleanability
XTS Hygienic, the stainless steel version of the eXtended Transport System from Beckhoff, is now available in the U.S. The IP69K-rated linear transport solution opens up a wide spectrum of new applications, primarily in food and pharmaceutical industries and for processing and filling liquids. With optimal cleanability, high chemical resistance and no hidden corners, edges […]
Beckhoff EL51xx EtherCAT Terminals enhance incremental signal analysis
Beckhoff Automation has introduced new EL51xx EtherCAT Terminals with built-in incremental signal analysis functionality. Incremental encoders have become indispensable in many applications due to their compactness and low price points. Beckhoff meets this important need with the comprehensive EL51xx series for analysis of 5 V incremental encoders via RS422 and TTL signals. These four new high-performance […]
Multi-axis servo system features oversampling technology
The AX8000 multi-axis servo system from Beckhoff now offers oversampling technology in addition to extremely high dynamics and μsec cycle times. Oversampling technology via EtherCAT enables process data scans several times within a communication cycle. This significantly boosts performance for precision processing machines and other systems that require evaluation of high-resolution measured values. With the […]
EtherCAT sets record with 3,000 vendor IDs
The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) issued its 3,000th EtherCAT vendor ID in July 2020. Beckhoff introduced the EtherCAT real-time Ethernet system to the market in 2003 and disclosed its details within the ETG the same year. This recent milestone underscores how the ultra-fast communication system has taken the automation world by storm since its release, […]
Part 6: IDE and other software for connectivity and IoT design work
As mentioned in Part 5 and at the top of this series, software that unifies various aspects of automation development is key to IIoT connectivity. Such software typically provides what’s called a universal engineering environment or more commonly an integrated development environment (IDE) to let engineers connect machinery with IT and other facility architectures. In […]
