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…
EtherCAT I/O modules provide intrinsic safety in IP67 form factors
Beckhoff’s new EPX module series 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 numerous advantages […]
Beckhoff’s EPX series EtherCAT I/Os provide intrinsic safety in IP67 form factors
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…
Automated foodservice to disrupt restaurant industry
Now an industrial-appliance-sized design called the Makeline from food services company Hyphen is leveraging software, rugged automation, and networked controls to help labor-strapped restaurants meet modern business demands. “We founded the business in July 2018 to leverage automation technology in modern restaurants,” said Daniel Fukuba, Co-Founder and CTO of Hyphen. “Shortly thereafter, we built the…
Beckhoff Introduces ATRO, the highly modular, fully customizable industrial robot
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…
Beckhoff optimizes linear motion with machine learning solution that eliminates cogging
The highly dynamic AL8000 linear motors from Beckhoff now meet even greater requirements for accuracy and synchronization with the new TwinCAT Cogging Compensation software. This makes the linear motors particularly suitable for high-precision applications such as milling machines or laser cutting machines. The cogging compensation software makes use of machine learning, which is seamlessly integrated […]
Beckhoff promotes Doug Schuchart to Global Intralogistics Industry manager
Doug Schuchart will lead Beckhoff Automation’s business development efforts worldwide in distribution and fulfillment center, parcel and post applications as Global Intralogistics Industry Manager. The promotion follows Schuchart’s successful vertical industry efforts with equipment OEMs, warehouse integrators and end users in the U.S. for over five years. He will continue to report to Beckhoff USA…
Beckhoff AA3000 electric cylinders
The new AA3000 series electric cylinders from Beckhoff are ideally suited as direct drives for linear motion applications with high process forces and speeds. The series offers optimal force, dynamics, and a compact footprint combined with the advantages of servo technology, such as closed-loop positioning, safe positioning at a standstill and high energy efficiency. The…
TwinCAT 3 directly integrates OPC UA Pub/Sub
With the new TF6105 function, Beckhoff now offers direct integration of OPC UA Pub/Sub communication into the TwinCAT 3 runtime. This new capability establishes straightforward and secure machine-to-machine (M2M) and device-to-cloud (D2C) scenarios based on the OPC UA Pub/Sub specification. With a new extension of the OPC UA specification, which Beckhoff played a prominent role…
New compact stepper motor I/O terminal from Beckhoff
The new EL7062 dual-channel EtherCAT Terminal from Beckhoff enables the direct connection of two stepper motors in the medium power range of up to 3 A and for a voltage range of 8 to 48 V. With flexible parameterization and minimized channel costs, the flexible motion interface is ideal as a low-cost drive for a […]
Beckhoff Automation takes the gold in 2021 LEAP Awards Motion Control category
The winners of the 2021 LEAP Awards (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) were announced today in a digital ceremony, with products across 12 categories, including Motion Control. Critical to LEAP’s success is the involvement of the engineering community. The Design World editorial team assembled a top-notch independent judging panel, comprised of a cross-section of OEM […]
Steve Rastberger becomes Beckhoff’s regional director for eastern US
Beckhoff USA has appointed Steve Rastberger to take over as the regional director for the eastern U.S. following the retirement of Graham Harris. Rastberger will leverage his formidable expertise in automation technology and industry trends to drive sales development and market share gains throughout the region. He will grow the region’s team of sales and…
New machine controller added to Beckhoff’s ultra-compact industrial PC Series
The new C6027 ultra-compact Industrial PC (IPC) from Beckhoff is a fanless device that offers high computing power in a compact form factor with Intel Core i U series processors. Compared to the C6025 IPC already on the market, this model adds a second circuit board level for customization with a variety of optional interfaces…
EL5072 EtherCAT terminal enables direct connection of inductive displacement sensors
The new EL5072 EtherCAT Terminal from Beckhoff enables direct connection of up to two inductive displacement sensors, including transducers in LVDT and half-bridge designs or inductive angular position sensors in the RVDT version. This means that precise position and distance measurements, such as in-process control or the control of joining processes, are possible in a […]
Beckhoff increases visualization capabilities with machine vision-specific control software
Expanding the toolbox of available HMI controls, Beckhoff has released the new TwinCAT HMI Control. In combination with the Beckhoff image processing software, TwinCAT Vision, the new control gives users the option of directly integrating image processing into the TwinCAT HMI operator interface. TwinCAT Vision can transmit live video and images from machine vision systems…
TwinCAT/BSD offers alternative operating system for Beckhoff Industrial PCs
TwinCAT/BSD provides an alternative operating system for all of the latest Beckhoff Industrial PC (IPC) platforms. TwinCAT/BSD combines the TwinCAT runtime with FreeBSD, an industrial-proven and reliable open-source operating system. FreeBSD is Unix-compatible and is continually being further developed, improved and optimized as an open-source project by a large group of developers. The FreeBSD system […]
The benefits of integrating vision into machine control
Scalable PC-based automation, robust network solutions and open camera standards allow machine vision to ditch black boxes and increase throughput. Daymon Thompson U.S. Software Product Manager Beckhoff Automation LLC Machine vision has become indispensable for many tasks in quality inspection, track-and-trace and more. As costs decrease and capabilities increase, practically any machine in any industry […]
Podcast: Planar motors and linear transfer systems in action (addressing COVID and more)
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 […]
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 […]
Highly dynamic AL8000 linear motors provide flexible, modular design
Backed by its wealth of expertise in the development of rotary servomotors, Beckhoff has added an innovative product to its portfolio in the area of drive technology. The AL8000 series, a new generation of high‐performance and modular linear motors, was developed in cooperation with Fertig Motors, the dynamically growing Beckhoff subsidiary. The new AL8000 product […]
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 […]