Embedded PC can be PLC

To provide automation and control applications with the most powerful PC-based controllers possible, Beckhoff Automation announced its new CX1030 Embedded PC. The DIN rail mounted computer is equipped with a 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium M processor and is the most powerful device in the Beckhoff Embedded PC family, at present.

The CPU is cooled by a passive cooling module and an easily exchangeable fan cartridge located on the underside of the housing. The module contains 256 MB DDR RAM (standard), expandable to 512 MB or 1 GB. When operated with a hard drive, the embedded PCs boot from compact flash, available in removable 64 MB size, with options for 1-, 2- and 4 GB. Two Ethernet RJ-45 interfaces are connected to an internal switch and offer a simple option for creating a line topology without additional Ethernet switches. All other CX family components can be connected via the PC/104 interface, available on both sides of the device. Operating system can be Microsoft Windows CE or Windows XP Embedded. TwinCAT automation software from Beckhoff transforms the unit into a PLC and motion control system, with or without visualization. It also be used for interpolating axis movements with TwinCAT NC Interpolation.

Beckhoff says combining CX1030, EtherCAT, and TwinCAT enables very fast control processes in the sub-millisecond range (XFC: eXtreme Fast Control Technology) with 1,000 distributed I/O operations in 30

www.beckhoffautomation.com

Beckhoff Automation

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