After a decade and millions of units deployed worldwide, Beckhoff celebrates its I/O technology standard MINNEAPOLIS, April 19, 2005 – At the 1995 Hannover Fair in Germany, Beckhoff first introduced its electronic terminal block I/O technology. Many users hailed the new design as a technological revolution. Over the last 10 years, Beckhoff has expanded the Bus Terminal system into a complete distributed I/O system and is today able to offer 187 different standard Bus Terminals and Bus Couplers for 17 fieldbus systems. The design has been so successful that over 1.25 million were shipped in 2004 worldwide.The Beckhoff Bus Terminal system is a modular I/O system in protection class IP 20, consisting of electronic terminal blocks for direct sensor/actuator wiring. The Bus Terminal concept, which Beckhoff developed with Wago GmbH, is based on the traditional, 12 mm wide terminal block with integrated signal electronics and modular configuration options. The Bus Terminals themselves are fieldbus-independent and can be integrated in all major automation bus systems using fieldbus-specific Bus Couplers.Beckhoff Bus Terminals have been produced in the millions and have become established in virtually all industries around the globe. Due to its universal concept, the Beckhoff I/O system is used in a wide range of applications, from heavy machinery to Ethernet-based building automation.Managing Director Hans Beckhoff said, "Our Bus Terminal system was one of the key technologies that shaped automation technology over the last 10 years. Starting from the original Bus Terminals, which in 1995 were limited to standard signals, an almost seamless product range has emerged today. Our innovative efforts are aimed in two directions: technological advancement and price reduction. Our system will continue to set technological standards, for example, with EtherCAT, and at the same time, our more established products will become more cost-effective."Bus Terminal innovation continuesOver recent years, Beckhoff presented a range of innovations for the Bus Terminal system, including Bus Terminal Controllers enabling local intelligence in a terminal box, 8-channel analog terminals in housings with a width of only 12 mm and TwinSAFE Bus Terminals for integrating safety technology into the Beckhoff I/O system.New application areas were opened with technologies such as the power terminal, the power measurement terminal and the oscilloscope terminal for visualizing forces within machines in real-time. The Bus Terminals not only enable PLC and motion control functions, but also metrological functions. In the future, measuring, control and motion technology are likely to become even more integrated. Motion control is the latest InnovationBeckhoff has now developed servo power sections that can handle small stepper motor control applications directly from the Bus Terminal I/O. In addition to the Bus Terminal I/O for stepper motors, future plans include two designs for DC motors: The KL2532 DC motor output stage will enable direct operation of two 24 V DC motors with a rated current of up to 1 A. The KL2542 Bus Terminal is being designed for 50 V DC motors with a rated current of up to 3.5 A and features an integrated incremental encoder interface. These Bus Terminals feature path control and speed control, and will provide a cost-effective means of driving DC motors in the lower performance range up to 175 W. Beckhoff 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 PCs, automation controllers, operator interface, I/O, servo drives and motors. With representation in 50 countries, Beckhoff is well positioned to provide global sales and service to its customers. Sales and service are handled directly, with no intermediaries involved to provide faster response and improved communications. For additional information, Contact Beckhoff or visit their web site at www.beckhoffautomation.com .
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