exhibition preview
Plug-in system for control cabinet-free automation
See Beckhoff on Stand 43
W ith the MX-System as a modular automation toolkit, Beckhoff has packaged its comprehensive product portfolio of control products in a robust new housing system for direct machine mounting. The resulting solution can completely replace traditional automation systems installed in control cabinets, reduce machine footprint and cut energy consumption from fans and other cooling devices. EtherCAT forms the technological foundation for the standard interfaces of the MX-System. EtherCAT is able to connect a large number of I/O modules, drives, and other components to a controller in almost any topology and sequence. Functional safety is also integrated. As EtherCAT covers the entire range of data transmission requirements, one bus system is sufficient for internal system communication as well as for external expansions, which can also be connected via EtherCAT P. The connectors of the MX-System, together with the PCB backplane, are well protected in a robust aluminium extrusion profile onto which the function modules are plugged and screwed in place. This baseplate provides the backplates for control voltages and communication, as well as for supply voltages. The combination of baseplate and function modules meets the requirements of protection rating IP67
over the essential properties of the components typically installed in a conventional control cabinet. These hot-swappable function modules cover all functions required on a machine, including the IPC, bus coupler, I/O, motion, relay and system products. They are based on the proven range of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff. Beckhoff says the inherently modular MX-System significantly reduces the planning effort and the required number of components for the machine builder in the design phase. Machines and systems can also be designed to be much more space-saving and application- specific. Machine builders can mount the compact MX-System directly on the machine, which eliminates the need for a separate control cabinet with its own cable routes. This reduces the overall installation effort, especially in conjunction with pre-assembled cables. Machine modularity, which is now an absolutely essential prerequisite, is also consistently and optimally supported by the MX-System as it can be distributed across the machine in modules. The control cabinet and panel builder industry is also set to benefit enormously from the simple plug-in solution that eliminates complex individual wiring. For example, a control cabinet assembly process that previously took 24 hours can now be reduced to approximately one hour of system installation. In addition, the significant risk of wiring errors, especially in the case of sophisticated control cabinets, is avoided. The error-prone individual production processes that the control cabinet builder previously had to carry out manually have now been transferred to the prefabricated functional modules. There are also advantages for control cabinet construction from a logistical point of view. Analyses have shown that, in some cases, 90 % of previous parts list items required for classic control cabinets are no longer needed. Furthermore, many machine builders will be able to simplify their logistics processes, since this easy-to-install technology often eliminates the need for external control cabinet construction. www.beckhoff.com
and is passively cooled within a temperature range of 0 to +50 °C. This eliminates the need for additional protective housings, and means that a central, manually installed control cabinet is no longer necessary. The function modules take
Simple ◾ Digital configuration ◾ Consistent data quality ◾ Intelligent engineering
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M achine B uilding .L ive 2023
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