Product Showcase
Beckhoff Twincat- Plc And Motion Control On The Pc
Function/ApplicationsThe Windows Control and Automation Technology
The Beckhoff TwinCAT software system turns any compatible PC into a real-time controller with a multi-PLC system, NC axis control, programming environment and operating station. TwinCAT replaces conventional PLC and NC/CNC controllers as well as operating devices with:
- open, compatible PC hardware
- embedded IEC 61131-3 software PLC, software NC and software CNC in Windows NT/2000/XP, NT/XP Embedded, CE
- programming and run-time systems optionally together on one PC or separated
- connection to all common fieldbuses
- PC interfaces are supported
- data communication with user interfaces and other programs by means of open Microsoft standards (OPC, OCX, DLL, etc.)
Differentiating FeaturesTwinCAT architecture
The TwinCAT system consists of run-time systems that execute control programs in real-time and the development environments for programming, diagnostics and configuration. Any Windows programs, for instance visualisation programs or Office programs, can access TwinCAT data via Microsoft interfaces, or can execute commands.
A practically oriented software solution
TwinCAT offers a precise time-base in which programs are executed with the highest deterministic features, independently of other processor tasks. The real-time load on a PC is set with TwinCAT; defined operating behaviour is achieved in this way. TwinCAT indicates the system load for programs that are running. A load threshold can be set in order to assure a defined computing capacity for the operating programs and for Windows NT/2000/XP. If this threshold is exceeded, a system message is generated.
TwinCAT supports system diagnosis
The general use of hardware and software from the open PC world requires some checking: Unsuitable components can upset the PC system. Beckhoff have integrated a practical indicator of the real-time jitter into their product, giving administrators an easy way to evaluate the hardware and software. A system message during operation can draw attention to incorrect states