January 2022

NEWS n 5 ‘Revolutionary’ automation system turns controllers into cabinets BECKHOFF HAS announced “a revolution in control cabinet construction” in which an industrial controller becomes, in effect, a modular control cabinet, avoiding the need for conventional enclosures. The company believes that its “flexible, space-optimised and intelligent”MX system will change the way we design and build both control cabinets and automation systems in general. Beckhoff says the system will save time and money for machine-builders, especially during the planning and installation stages. It could cut typical assembly times from 24 hours to just one hour, as well as saving space and needing far fewer components and connections. It will also allow “cabinets” to be assembled on a plug-and-play basis by personnel who are not electrical experts. And, by using prefabricated cables, the risk of wiring errors will be greatly reduced. There is no need for cable glands. The system is based on a combination of an aluminium baseplate and control and power modules that together offer IP67 protection and can be mounted directly onto machines without additional protective housings. Available modules include industrial PCs, I/Os, motion modules, and system modules such as power supplies and couplers. The baseplates provide standardised connections for the function modules which are simply plugged in and screwed into place. The baseplates can contain up to three rows, each with up to 24 slots. Behind each row of slots, a backplane distributes power and EtherCat communications. There are two types of backplane. Data backplanes with MX-C slots supply the modules with 24V or 48V DC supplies and EtherCat, while power backplanes with MX-P slots distribute mains voltages and DC links (up to 848V DC). An MX-P slot can supply up to 35A, while a power backplane can carry up to 63A. The MX modules come in different sizes depending on their function. For example, an I/O module will typically fit into a single slot, while drive modules may go across several slots. Because every function module plugged onto the MX baseplate is also an EtherCat device, diagnostics are available without needing to open a cabinet. Each module has a data matrix code that can be scanned by a smartphone app, linking the phone to the controller to gather diagnostic data. Any defective modules can be hot-swapped. The baseplates also monitor parameters such as temperature. The modules support the TwinSafe safety system, offering safe I/O and motion capabilities with STO/SS1 or Safe Motion functions. Modules such as IO-Link Class B masters allow safe disconnection of actuator supplies. https://www.beckhoff.com/en-gb “Beckhoff believes the MX system will change the way we design and build both control cabinets and automation systems in general.” www.drivesncontrols.com January 2022 DFA MANUFACTURINGMEDIA, the publisher of Drives & Controls , has launched an online portal and social media information resource called Smart Futures that will cover developments in smart technologies across a wide spectrum of sectors, including manufacturing, medical, building, agriculture, energy, security, transport and materials. The portal will help visitors to stay up- to-date on these technologies via an immersive, interactive experience. It will also offer organisations operating in these sectors a new channel for marketing their technologies. Smart Futures has been created to help the process of digital transformation currently underway in the UK and around the world. Its mission is to facilitate knowledge exchange, explore emerging best practices, and help business development in communities poised to turn the digital vision into reality. The Smart Futures portal will focus on being an information resource centre that will communicate with visitors on a range of digitalisation topics, through interaction via the Web, social media and mobile devices. https://smartfutures.org.uk Portal will act as one-stop shop for smart technologies Beckhoff’s MX system combines a robust baseplate with plug-in modules for functions such as IPCs, I/O, motion control and relays.