Category: Beckhoff

PLC, motion control, interpolation, and visualization

Multi-core CPUs in conjunction with TwinCAT 3 enable PLC projects to be distributed to several

cores, resulting in significant performance gains. All TwinCAT motion control functionalities can

also be used to their full extent: in addition to simple point-to-point movement, more complex

multi-axis functions such as electronic gearing, cam plate, and flying saw are also possible.

Interpolating 3D path movements and complex axis kinematics can also be executed, however,

transitioning to more powerful devices from the CX2000 series must be checked out for each

individual case here.

In addition to handling real-time control tasks, management in the TwinCAT 3 real-time kernel

leaves enough time for the user interface (HMI). Due to the excellent performance of the graphic

unit integrated in the CPU, even demanding visualizations can be displayed with modern user

interfaces.

The CX5300 series is also available as an embedded PC without an operating system and without

TwinCAT. The extended operating temperature range from -25°C to +60°C enables use under

challenging ambient conditions.

EtherCAT as a fast I/O system

The embedded PCs were developed with a view to optimized interaction with EtherCAT.

Every CX5300 controller therefore has an internal EtherCAT master port. This can be routed

to the right, to the I/O level, to enable the use of EtherCAT I/O Terminals. If necessary,

however, it can also switch automatically to the K-bus terminal system. Both Ethernet ports

of the CX5300 can be used for both standard IT connections and as additional EtherCAT

master interfaces. In conjunction with EtherCAT and TwinCAT, very fast control processes

in the microsecond range (eXtreme Fast Control Technology) can be implemented.

Due to the separate Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, EtherCAT can also be implemented with

cable redundancy by using one of the Ethernet interfaces as a redundancy port. In addition,

the devices can be operated with an EtherCAT slave interface in the multi-option interface

so that several intelligent controllers can be synchronized via an EtherCAT network.

Alternatively, the devices can be configured with an EtherCAT master interface in the multi

-option interface, which then provides two independent EtherCAT masters.

The basic equipment of the CX5300 Embedded PCs includes two independent Gbit

Ethernet interfaces, four USB 3.1 ports, one DisplayPort interface and a multi-option

interface that can be flexibly equipped ex factory, for example with a serial port,

a fieldbus connection, or a second video connection with DVI-D, HDMI, or DisplayPort.

The boot and storage medium is an interchangeable, industrially compatible CFast card,

whose slot is accessible behind a cover. The CFast card serves as a substitute for a hard

disk, i. e. the operating system, along with TwinCAT and user projects, are stored on it.

Fast hardware exchange is thus possible if servicing is required; a software update can

be performed simply by replacing the card on site. The built-in capacitive 1-second UPS

assures secure backup of persistent application data on the CFast card. The date and

time are backed up by an exchangeable battery (button cell).

In addition to handling real-time control tasks, management in the TwinCAT 3 real-time kernel

leaves enough time for the user interface (HMI). Due to the excellent performance of the graphic

unit integrated in the CPU, even demanding visualizations can be displayed with modern user

interfaces.

The CX5300 series is also available as an embedded PC without an operating system and without

TwinCAT. The extended operating temperature range from -25°C to +60°C enables use under

challenging ambient conditions.

The main features of the CX5300 device series are:

• Intel Atom® x6 series (Elkhart Lake) CPUs with two or four cores

• fanless cooling

• convenient 4 or 8 GB RAM

• electrically isolated 24 V DC power supply unit, UPS OCT-capable

• built-in capacitive 1-second UPS for persistent data storage

• left-side extension interface for a system module

The CX5300 series supplements the existing CX5200 devices with totally identical

housing dimensions. A system or fieldbus module from the CX2500-xxxx family can

still be plugged in via the multi-pin connector on the left-hand side, and the system

can be expanded to include further interfaces. This allows further PC interfaces

(e.g. two additional 1 GB Ethernet ports) or fieldbus interfaces (e.g. for PROFIBUS,

CAN, etc.) to be added to the system.

Compact, fanless multi-core controller with Intel Atom® x6000RE

The CX5300 Embedded PCs are DIN rail mountable and fanless, and are

equipped with the significantly more powerful Intel Atom® x6 series

processor, a modern processor with a next-generation CPU and graphics

performance. This assures a long life cycle for series production and support

through the integration of a modern Intel Atom® CPU. As with all newer

embedded PCs, the entire range of EtherCAT Terminals or K-bus terminals

can be directly connected on the right-hand side.

The CX5300 series is also available as an embedded PC without an operating

system and without TwinCAT. The extended operating temperature range from

-25°C to +60°C enables use under challenging ambient conditions.

The CX2500-Mxxx fieldbus master modules are left-sided attachments

for the Embedded PC series CX20xx, CX52x0. CX53x0 and CX56x0.

The use of systems with fieldbus master modules enables the segment

-like construction of control structures in extensive plants and machines

using further fieldbus components (Bus Couplers, Bus Terminal Controllers,

Drive Technology, etc.).

The CX2500-M510 fieldbus master module assumes the function of a

CANopen master. Each module occupies a PCI Express® lane, so that

a total of four modules can be connected in any desired combination

to the left side of a CX20xx group. Compared with the Beckhoff PCIe®

Fieldbus Cards, the technical data of the fieldbus master modules are

almost identical, but with single channels.

The parallel operation of several identical or different masters is possible,

e.g. two PROFIBUS masters or a PROFIBUS master and a CANopen master.

In the case of mixed operation of master and slave connections, CX systems

act as intelligent gateways between different fieldbuses: data are received,

processed and fed into other fieldbuses. Master or slave connections network

several CX systems with one another strictly deterministically via the fieldbus

level. CX fieldbus modules can be retrofitted/exchanged by adding them to

existing CX systems. The scanning and recognizing of the modules, the

parameterization, the configuration of the connected I/O components and

the online diagnostics of the process/fieldbus status take place in the TwinCAT

System Manager.

The CX2500-Mxxx fieldbus master modules are left-sided attachments

for the Embedded PC series CX20xx, CX52x0. CX53x0 and CX56x0.

The use of systems with fieldbus master modules enables the segment

-like construction of control structures in extensive plants and machines

using further fieldbus components (Bus Couplers, Bus Terminal Controllers,

Drive Technology, etc.).

The CX2500-M310 fieldbus master module assumes the function of a

PROFIBUS master. Each module occupies a PCI Express® lane, so that a

total of four modules can be connected in any desired combination to the

left side of a CX20xx group. Compared with the Beckhoff PCIe® Fieldbus

Cards, the technical data of the fieldbus master modules are almost identical,

but with single channels.

The parallel operation of several identical or different masters is possible, e.g.

two PROFIBUS masters or a PROFIBUS master and a CANopen master.

In the case of mixed operation of master and slave connections, CX systems

act as intelligent gateways between different fieldbuses: data are received,

processed and fed into other fieldbuses. Master or slave connections network

several CX systems with one another strictly deterministically via the fieldbus

level. CX fieldbus modules can be retrofitted/exchanged by adding them to

existing CX systems. The scanning and recognizing of the modules, the

parameterization, the configuration of the connected I/O components and

the online diagnostics of the process/fieldbus status take place in the TwinCAT

System Manager.

The CX2500-Bxxx fieldbus slave modules are left-sided attachments

for the Embedded PC series CX20xx, CX52x0. CX53x0 and CX56x0.

The use of systems with fieldbus slave modules enables the use of 

a CX system as a subordinate local controller for the construction of

complex or modular systems. External process data are received from

the master and processed, or data from its own process peripherals

are returned to the master controller directly or processed.

The CX2500-B510 fieldbus slave module assumes the function of a 

CANopen slave. Each of these modules occupies a PCI Express®

lane, so that a total of four of these modules can be connected in any

desired combination to the left side of a CX20xx group. The fieldbus

slave modules are single-channel modules.

The parallel operation of several identical or different slaves is possible,

e.g. two PROFIBUS slaves or a PROFIBUS slave and a CANopen slave.

In the case of mixed operation of master and slave connections, CX

systems act as intelligent gateways between different fieldbuses: data

are received, processed and fed into other fieldbuses.

Master or slave connections network several CX systems with one another

strictly deterministically via the fieldbus level. CX fieldbus modules can be

retrofitted/exchanged by adding them to existing CX systems.

The scanning and recognizing of the modules, the parameterization, the

configuration of the connected I/O components and the online diagnostics

of the process/fieldbus status take place in the TwinCAT System Manager.

The CX2500-Bxxx fieldbus slave modules are left-sided attachments

for the Embedded PC series CX20xx, CX52x0. CX53x0 and CX56x0.

The use of systems with fieldbus slave modules enables the use of

a CX system as a subordinate local controller for the construction of

complex or modular systems. External process data are received from

the master and processed, or data from its own process peripherals

are returned to the master controller directly or processed.

The CX2500-B310 fieldbus slave module assumes the function of a

PROFIBUS slave. Each module occupies a PCI Express® lane, so that

a total of four of these modules can be connected in any desired

combination to the left side of a CX20xx group. The fieldbus slave

modules are single-channel modules. The CX2500-B310 fieldbus slave

module for PROFIBUS can present itself to the master as a multiple

(max. quadruple) virtual slave station, resulting in a four-fold increase

in the quantity of exchanged process data.

The parallel operation of several identical or different slaves is possible,

e.g. two PROFIBUS slaves or a PROFIBUS slave and a CANopen slave.

In the case of mixed operation of master and slave connections, CX

systems act as intelligent gateways between different fieldbuses: data

are received, processed and fed into other fieldbuses.

Master or slave connections network several CX systems with one another

strictly deterministically via the fieldbus level. CX fieldbus modules can be

retrofitted/exchanged by adding them to existing CX systems.

The scanning and recognizing of the modules, the parameterization, the

configuration of the connected I/O components and the online diagnostics

of the process/fieldbus status take place in the TwinCAT System Manager.

PLC, motion control, interpolation, and visualization

Multi-core CPUs in conjunction with TwinCAT 3 enable PLC projects to be distributed to several

cores, resulting in significant performance gains. Likewise, all TwinCAT Motion Control functions

can be used to the full: in addition to simple point-to-point movements, more complex multi-axis

functions such as electronic gearing, cam plate and flying saw are possible. Interpolating 3D path

movements and complex axis kinematics are also executable, however, the transition to more

powerful devices from the CX2000 series must be checked in the individual case here.

In addition to handling real-time control tasks the TwinCAT 3 real-time kernel leaves enough time

for the user interface (HMI). Due to the good performance of the graphic unit integrated in the CPU,

even demanding visualizations can be realized with modern user interfaces.

The CX5200 series is also available as an Embedded PC without operating system and without

TwinCAT. The extended operating temperature range from -25 to +60°C enables use under climatically

challenging conditions.