MINNEAPOLIS, MN ‚– In order to improve synchronization for highly complex machines and production lines with numerous EtherCAT‚® masters, Beckhoff Automation has introduced the new EL6692 EtherCAT bridge terminal. In the most complex systems, data may have to be exchanged between individual EtherCAT systems or the distributed clocks of different systems may have to be synchronized. An ideal solution for these applications, the new EL6692 EtherCAT bridge terminal cost-effectively implements these tasks directly in the I/O system.
EtherCAT masters such as the TwinCAT‚® automation software suite from Beckhoff can exchange data in real-time via network variables. The EL6692 EtherCAT bridge terminal provides this functionality directly in the I/O system. In addition to “normal” data exchange, the EtherCAT bridge permits distributed clock synchronization (exact calibration of distributed clocks) between several EtherCAT masters, in exact drive synchronization required in spatially distributed machines, for example.
In addition, the EtherCAT bridge terminal can help integrate subordinate PCs ‚– e.g. DIN rail mounted CX Embedded PCs from Beckhoff ‚– as EtherCAT slaves in an EtherCAT network. In this case, the bridge terminal connected to the CX Embedded PC is coupled with the higher-level EtherCAT system.
The EL6692 bridge terminals have a separate power supply for both EtherCAT networks in order to prevent an interruption of data communication in the event of power loss in one of the systems.
The high-performance EtherCAT I/O Terminal system permits communication to 1,000 distributed I/O in just 30 microseconds (‚µs), almost unlimited network size and optimum vertical integration using industrial Ethernet and Internet technologies. High-performance EtherCAT Terminals are available for all common digital and analog signal types encountered in the world of automation. Fieldbus devices, such as those for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, CANopen, Interbus or Lightbus are integrated via local fieldbus master/slave terminals. Any standard Ethernet device can be integrated locally to an EtherCAT system via switch terminals.
Beckhoff Automation LLC
www.beckhoffautomation.com
::Design World::
Filed Under: Ethernet — cables • hubs • switches, Networks • connectivity • fieldbuses
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