Since 2000, Continental’s new tire plant in Timisoara is completely controlled by over 230 Beckhoff Industrial PC’s running TwinCAT Motion and PLC control software. The new plant proves that PC Control is no longer just a niche product but is ready for almost any application, especially with the addition of solid state controllers like the CX1000. The CX1000 is DIN Rail mountable and runs Windows CE or Windows XP embedded and has no moving parts making it very suitable for certain traditional PLC applications. The control applications at the new plant involve very high speed coordinated motion control. Beckhoff Industrial PC’s running TwinCAT PLC and Motion Software with no additional motion cards, PLC’s or HMI’s control over 250 Beckhoff servo axes and thousands of I/O points.
Martin Kleinbrod, Plant Manager, states “It was relatively simple and cost efficient to link all PC Controls at the shop floor levels using conventional Ethernet Components”. Continental reduced overall investment by 50% compared with using traditional PLC, HMI, and Motion architectures which still require Industrial PC’s for SCADA and HMI. Continental must stock only two types of PC’s versus the traditional inventory of PLC’s, HMI’s, and Motion Cards. Beckhoff’s formula for success is providing one source for all the PC control components, including: Software, Industrial PC, Fieldbus Cards, Fieldbus I/O, and Drives while ensuring openness and reducing the number of components.
TwinCAT, with Beckhoff’s patented Kernel, leverages Beckhoff’s 15 year control experience with Microsoft Operating systems. The Beckhoff IPC with TwinCAT is a powerful controller when coupled with one of Beckhoff’s 13 plus supported network I/O modules, Servos, and Control Panel Interfaces.
Additional Information can be found at: www.pc-control.net/pdf/032003/pcc_titel_e.pdf .Beckhoff U.S. - www.beckhoffautomation.com Continental - www.conti-online.com Beckhoff factsBeckhoff Automation provides advanced, open automation products based upon proven technologies so that customers can implement high performance control systems faster and at a lower overall cost than traditional PLC and Motion Control systems.
Beckhoff’s “New Automation Technology” Product range includes PC based Control, Industrial PC’s, Automation Controllers, Operator Interface, I/O, Servo Drives, and Motors. With representation in 35 countries, Beckhoff is well positioned to provide sales & service to its customers. Sales and service is handled directly, no intermediates involved, to provide faster response and easier communications. Jeff Brown U.S.
Product Management Beckhoff Automation LLC 12204 Nicollet Avenue South Burnsville, MN 55337 Phone: 952-890-0000 Fax: 952-890-2888
