With EtherCAT P, Beckhoff combines ultra-fast EtherCAT communication and power supply (2 x 24 VDC/3A) in a standard 4-wire Ethernet cable. It enables direct power supply for both EtherCAT P slaves and the connected sensors and actuators in such a way that separate power lines can be eliminated, considerably simplifying system cabling. This makes EtherCAT P the ideal sensor, actuator and measurement bus, providing advantages both for connecting small remote I/O stations in terminal boxes and for decentralised I/O components located throughout the actual process.
EtherCAT P Box modules for all data acquisition requirements
A full range of EtherCAT P system and I/O components in protection class IP 67 is currently available for the 24 V I/O level. For connecting sensors and actuators, users can integrate any of the wide range of well-established EP Box modules from Beckhoff in the new EPP versions for EtherCAT P. These include a variety of 4, 8 and 16-channel digital input box modules; 4, 8, 16 and 24-channel digital output modules; numerous 4, 8 and 16-channel IP67 I/Os with combined digital inputs/outputs; as well as RS-232 and RS-422/RS-485 serial interfaces. There are also new EPP Box modules for analog input and output quantities, such as ±10 V/0-20 mA, differential/absolute pressures, and data from resistance sensors, thermocouples and incremental encoders.
Free and flexible choice of topology, as enabled by EtherCAT, is equally possible with EtherCAT P. The following IP67 infrastructure components are available to set up the required network architecture in the field:
• EPP1111 EtherCAT P Box with ID switch.
• EPP1322 EtherCAT P junction with power feed-in and junctions with or without power refresh (EPP1332/EPP1342).
• EPP9001 EtherCAT P/EtherCAT connector with power transmission.
• EPP9022 EtherCAT P Box for diagnosing Us (system and sensor supply) and Up (peripheral voltage for actuators).
Significant benefits for machine engineering applications
EtherCAT P – now fully supported by the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) – reduces material costs for machinery, time and cost of installation, as well as the frequency of errors in the installation process. In the machine itself, it also minimises the installation space required for drag chains, cable trays and control cabinets. The entire automation process benefits from the reduced size of sensors or actuators, made possible by the new EtherCAT P cables. Overall, equipment manufacturers now have considerably more freedom when designing their machinery and more flexibility to reduce machine footprint.
Cables and wires for food and beverage LAPP Southern Africa
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
The strict hygiene regulations for handling foodstuffs stipulate particularly complex requirements for electrical components. The cables and accessories used must withstand a wide range of chemical, thermal and mechanical loads, and also function perfectly at all times in refrigerated and damp rooms.
Read more...Innovative separation of recyclable materials Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
A plant built by Belgian specialist machine builder, Absolem Engineering features an innovative process for separating recyclable materials. Using PC-based control from Beckhoff, a major problem has been elegantly solved - the generation of different signal sequences for the exact synchronisation of different camera systems.
Read more...Redefining mobility for fibre cabling Legrand
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
As data volumes rapidly increase globally, specialists need to take an urgent look at IT and network infrastructure, with a particular focus on vital equipment like servers, racks and fibre cabling. The Legrand team believes that advanced fibre cabling solutions, which have been developed to simplify deployment, lower costs, improve performance and enable greater densities, will efficiently meet future capacity demands.
Read more...Open control system for retrofit of conveyor control system Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
For every online retailer, warehouse logistics is part of the critical infrastructure. An Australian office equipment supplier has retrofitted the warehouse logistics installation of its central warehouse, and replaced the proprietary decentralised controllers of the conveyor lines with PC-based control from Beckhoff, based on powerful EtherCAT communication.
Read more...High-speed data transmission
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Data protocols are constantly evolving to enable interoperability and reliable transfer of increasing amounts of data at the highest speeds between more and more connected devices. To address this technological challenge, Fischer Connectors is expanding its platform capabilities to meet the most demanding connectivity requirements for high-speed data transfer.
Read more...PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...Modular assembly platform for clean manufacturing Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
JR Automation delivers custom automated solutions for numerous industries. It has done this through its scalable, modular automation platform, FlexChassis, which speeds up time to market while cutting costs. The company chose the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff because of its speed, and modular design that allows for multiple configurations.
Read more...Robust Ethernet cordset cables Turck Banner Southern Africa
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Turck Banner offers a product range comprising a wealth of different connectors and cables, including over 115 000 connection technology solutions with differing degrees of complexity.
Read more...EtherCAT measurement terminals for vehicle development at Mercedes-Benz Beckhoff Automation
System Integration & Control Systems Design
At the Mercedes Technology Centre plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, car axles are examined with the highest precision on four test benches, in parallel with road tests and simulations. All data is acquired using PC-based control from Beckhoff.