By Christopher Woller, Beckhoff Automation LLC How do you know a safety circuit on your machine is actually safe? You don’t want a short circuit, crossed wires, or cut wires to get someone hurt. So how does the tech prevent this from happening? Let me introduce you to test pulses. Basically, test pulses drop signal…

With the EL4374 EtherCAT Terminal, Beckhoff introduces a powerful analog I/O module to increase system flexibility and simplify parts management. The EL4374 is a multipurpose, combined input/output for -10/0 to +10 V or -20/0/+4 to +20 mA signals that can be used for standard automation tasks at 1 kbps per channel. Measuring such a wide…

Beckhoff Automation has relocated its Chicago operations to an enhanced and expanded office to better serve customers. In addition to housing local sales and support engineers, the new location in Rosemont, Illinois, offers roughly 4,800 square feet for meetings, seminars, and training courses in a state-of-the-art learning center. This will further support innovators across industries…

Beckhoff Automation opened a new office in Austin, Texas, to supercharge the company’s presence in the Southwest. Beyond creating a collaborative workspace, the 3,500-ft2 facility is suitable for hosting industry-specific application seminars, customer meetings, training, and events. Complementing the Beckhoff offices in Houston and Dallas, this third Texas facility creates a central site for the…

Beckhoff Automation opened an office in Greater Los Angeles to further grow the company’s presence on the West Coast. With a spacious layout spanning more than 4,100  ft2, the new office will function as a collaborative workspace and a hub for events, seminars, and customer meetings. Los Angeles’ diverse ecosystem of high-tech industries offers opportunities…

The new CX5600 Embedded PC series expands Beckhoff’s workhorse machine control line with powerful AMD Ryzen processors, additional interfaces, and operating system options. Retaining the same form factor as previous generations, these DIN rail-mounted embedded PCs provide the flexibility to support an even greater range of applications that require PLC, HMI, motion control, and much…

Alec Abkemeier is taking on a new challenge at Beckhoff USA as a software product manager focused on test and measurement technologies. With a background in measurement software and hardware, Abkemeier will grow Beckhoff’s test and measurement market share in rapidly evolving industries that require next-generation data acquisition and power monitoring capabilities. Abkemeier reports to…

The new CX5600 Embedded PC series expands Beckhoff’s workhorse machine control line with powerful AMD Ryzen processors, additional interfaces, and operating system options. Retaining the same form factor as previous generations, these DIN rail-mounted embedded PCs provide the flexibility to support an even greater range of applications that require PLC, HMI, motion control, and much…

Josh Crayton is taking on a new challenge at Beckhoff USA as Semiconductor Industry Manager. In this new role, Crayton will accelerate Beckhoff market share growth in the U.S. through more coordinated support and technologies tailored to this sector. He brings considerable expertise from consulting on automation technology for complex semiconductor manufacturing solutions throughout his…

The Global Packaging Team at Beckhoff is expanding how it supports its numerous multinational CPG and machine builder OEM customers. Beckhoff USA’s industry management experts – packaging industry manager Mark Ruberg and packaging industry business development manager Rick Forsgren – are now officially part of the Global Packaging Team led by Frank Würthner, Global Business…

With Beckhoff Vision, engineers can see what’s possible when machine vision hardware and automation software are perfectly matched. This comprehensive line of EtherCAT-enabled industrial cameras, lighting, and lensing components are paired with proven TwinCAT Vision software to round out a complete product portfolio. The new Beckhoff Vision hardware includes area scan cameras, C-mount lenses, multicolor…

Beckhoff Automation is pleased to announce the return of Brandon Stiffler as Software Product Manager. With a strong background in software development and automation technology, Stiffler will bolster the ranks of our fast-growing product management team. Previously an application engineer at Beckhoff, Stiffler’s years of experience with TwinCAT and deep understanding of complex industrial automation…

Beckhoff Automation has put Philip Ehlers in the driver’s seat as Automotive Industry Manager in the U.S. Ehlers brings considerable automotive industry experience to Beckhoff from nearly two decades working at industrial automation and test and measurement companies. At a time of intense competition and rapid technological innovation, he will provide critical direction for strategic…

Beckhoff Automation has put Philip Ehlers in the driver’s seat as automotive industry manager in the U.S. Ehlers brings considerable automotive industry experience to Beckhoff from nearly two decades working at industrial automation and test and measurement companies. At a time of intense competition and rapid technological innovation, he will provide critical direction for strategic…

To fully support digitalization in process industry applications, Beckhoff is making it easier to leverage Ethernet-APL with the ELX6233 EtherCAT Terminal. This compact, dual-channel communication interface simplifies the integration of field devices in the hazardous areas of zones 0/20 and 1/21. The compact I/O terminal extends the proven combination of Beckhoff’s flexible EtherCAT system architecture…

With a focus on autonomy, flexibility, and safety, Boston Dynamics applies its robotics expertise to a commercial robot solution with automation and integrated safety technologies from Beckhoff. As the intralogistics industry speeds ahead, mobile robotics will become even more critical. Many solutions move cartons and totes from point A to point B. Limitations arise when…

Beckhoff will showcase the latest adaptive automation technologies for the intralogistics industry at ProMat 2023. Top highlights in Beckhoff booth S1541 will include the intelligent mechatronic systems, XPlanar and the eXtended Transport System (XTS) now with No Cable Technology (NCT), and the TwinCAT/BSD alternative operating system (OS) for Beckhoff controls. An advance preview of the […]

Beckhoff has expanded its broad portfolio of PS power supplies with the new PS2000 device series featuring a built-in EtherCAT interface. The PS2000 power supplies can remotely collect additional measurement and device diagnostics for comprehensive system monitoring, which can increase availability and reduce downtime. As a result, the feature-filled power supplies combine compact design and…

Beckhoff USA has promoted Daymon Thompson to director of product management. As a longstanding, key member of the company’s product management team, Thompson has advocated for innovation in manufacturing through advanced automation, IIoT, and machine learning technologies. He will leverage his significant experience to lead new product initiatives across the entire Beckhoff portfolio. Based out…

Alyssa Hiedeman, Application Development Engineer, Beckhoff Automation B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota Alyssa Hiedeman started working in Technical Support at Beckhoff Automation’s U.S. headquarters in Savage, Minnesota, in 2016. In 2019, she relocated to Denver to take a position as an Application Development Engineer on the recently created Advanced Applications…

Jake Schieffer is taking on a new role within Beckhoff USA as Vice President of Sales. This promotion results from Schieffer’s significant successes as Regional Director – Midwest. In the newly created national position, he will continue to promote business alignment throughout the sales organization and accelerate growth across the U.S. Based at the Beckhoff…

Azad Jafari joined Beckhoff Automation as I/O Product Manager, a key role that oversees the company’s I/O systems, EtherCAT and other industrial networking solutions across the u.s. In addition to deep engineering experience with complex automation solutions, Jafari possesses considerable expertise in business development and industry management, particularly in consumer electronics. Based at Beckhoff USA’s…

With the new EPX module series, Beckhoff offers a compact option for Ex i signal acquisition from zones 0/20, 1/21 and Div. 1 as an addition to the wide range of EtherCAT Box modules. With robust IP67 protection, they enable direct and decentralized installation on machines and systems, even in harsh environments. This results in…

With ATRO, Beckhoff presents a breakthrough concept for robotics applications. This modular system enables extreme flexibility in robot kinematics to fit essentially any application with payloads up to 10 kg and reach of up to 1.3 meters. With ATRO, users can select the exact number of axes required and quickly assemble the exact robot or…

The ELM3002-0205 EtherCAT measurement terminal from Beckhoff delivers high-voltage measurement functionality for batteries, generators and motors. This feature-filled I/O terminal supports the four measurement ranges of ±60, ±120, ±500 and ±1,000 V, respectively, and is particularly suitable for applications in the fields of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. In the renewable energy market, the…