Mechatronics

ProMat 2023: Motion control platform, UNIX virtualization, rugged distributed control

A sampling of exhibits at ProMat 2023 show advances in automation and control help warehousing, distribution centers and other motion control applications, including offerings from Beckhoff Automation.

Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

 

Learning Objectives

  • Beckhoff Automation XPlanar motion control platform demonstrates applications appropriate for small-scale mobile robots.
  • Virtualization software can work on industrial UNIX or Microsoft Windows using Beckhoff Automation TwinCAT software platform.
  • A distributed machine control platform without enclosures, the Beckhoff MX System, is under development by Beckhoff Automation and expected to be released in 2024.

Warehousing, distribution center insights

  • Beckhoff Automation XPlanar motion control platform demonstrated applications appropriate for small-scale mobile robots using projected video at ProMat 2023.
  • Beckhoff Automation TwinCAT software platform can be used for virtualization software using industrial UNIX or Microsoft Windows architectures, as explained at ProMat 2023.
  • Beckhoff MX System, a distributed machine control platform without enclosures, is under development by Beckhoff Automation and expected to be released in 2024.

While ProMat 2023 exhibits focused on technologies useful for distribution centers and warehouses, the industrial computing, automation and motion control products shown at the Beckhoff Automation booth could be used in many manufacturing and other industrial applications. ProMat 2023, March 20-23, in Chicago, was organized by MHI.

Beckhoff Automation enhanced its demonstration of the by projecting videos onto the movers and tile base (photos) to show different applications and how floating movers could be applied for micro-fulfillment and other applications. Beckhoff demonstrated XPlanar capabilities at ProMat 2023, March 20-23, in Chicago, organized by MHI. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering
Beckhoff Automation enhanced its demonstration of the by projecting videos onto the movers and tile base (photos) to show different applications and how floating movers could be applied for micro-fulfillment and other applications. Beckhoff demonstrated XPlanar capabilities at ProMat 2023, March 20-23, in Chicago, organized by MHI. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

Beckhoff XPlanar motion control platform

Beckhoff Automation enhanced its demonstration of the Beckhoff XPlanar advanced motion control platform by projecting videos onto the movers and tile base (photos) to show different applications and how floating movers could be applied for micro-fulfillment and other applications.

Described as a smaller-scale automated guided vehicle, the movers can operate individually, in pairs or in groups to handle larger loads. XPlanar has no mechanical parts, covers a small footprint, can be programmed with Beckhoff TwinCAT software and is being integrated by machine builders and others, in undisclosed applications. So far, custom machine builder applications account for about 60%, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) account for about 40% of XPlanar use.

Movers for Beckhoff XPlanar advanced motion control platform can operate individually, or in pairs or groups to handle larger loads. XPlanar has no mechanical parts, covers a small footprint, can be programmed with Beckhoff TwinCAT software and is being integrated by machine builders and others. Each XPlanar mover can transport 400 g (about 9 lb). Beckhoff demonstrated XPlanar capabilities at ProMat 2023, March 20-23, in Chicago, organized by MHI. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering
Movers for Beckhoff XPlanar advanced motion control platform can operate individually, or in pairs or groups to handle larger loads. XPlanar has no mechanical parts, covers a small footprint, can be programmed with Beckhoff TwinCAT software and is being integrated by machine builders and others. Each XPlanar mover can transport 400 g (about 9 lb). Beckhoff demonstrated XPlanar capabilities at ProMat 2023, March 20-23, in Chicago, organized by MHI. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

Each XPlanar mover can transport 400 g (about 9 lb). Mover routes and mover motions on the base can change on the fly (video clip). Movers also can precisely swirl and mix liquids they carry in a controlled manner.

Virtualization software, industrial UNIX or Microsoft Windows

TwinCAT/BSD, a UNIX-based version of Beckhoff Automation programming and control platform, extends TwinCAT software beyond Microsoft Windows. (photo) Hypervisor virtualization software can run on TwinCAT UNIX or Microsoft Windows in virtual machine architectures. Such configurations make it easier for IT to run updates of Microsoft Windows software applications while avoiding disturbance to run-time applications for operations. Multiple controllers and higher-level applications could run in one piece of computing hardware. Many configurations and silicon combinations, speed and computing cores provide a wide range of computing power, all programmable with Beckhoff TwinCAT software.

TwinCAT/BSD, a UNIX-based version of Beckhoff Automation programming and control platform, extends TwinCAT software beyond Microsoft Windows. (photo) Hypervisor virtualization software can run on TwinCAT UNIX or Microsoft Windows in virtual machine architectures, as shown at ProMat 2023. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering
TwinCAT/BSD, a UNIX-based version of Beckhoff Automation programming and control platform, extends TwinCAT software beyond Microsoft Windows. (photo) Hypervisor virtualization software can run on TwinCAT UNIX or Microsoft Windows in virtual machine architectures, as shown at ProMat 2023. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

Distributed machine control without enclosures

Under development for release in mid-2024, the Beckhoff MX System, a rugged, industrial cabinet-less machine control platform, (photo) provides modular, integrated, hot-swappable control system components: Controllers, I/O modules, communications and power supplies. The MX System, also programmable with Beckhoff TwinCAT software, is designed to operate outside of control cabinets in stand-alone configurations and/or could extend control capabilities inside existing control enclosures.

Under development for expected release in mid-2024, the Beckhoff MX System, a rugged, industrial cabinet-less machine control platform, (photo) provides modular, integrated, hot-swappable control system components (controllers, I/O modules, communications and power supplies), as shown at ProMat 2023. The MX System will be programmable with Beckhoff TwinCAT software. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering
Under development for expected release in mid-2024, the Beckhoff MX System, a rugged, industrial cabinet-less machine control platform, (photo) provides modular, integrated, hot-swappable control system components (controllers, I/O modules, communications and power supplies), as shown at ProMat 2023. The MX System will be programmable with Beckhoff TwinCAT software. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

Other coverage from ProMat includes Control Engineering articles on intralogistics, warehouse robotics advancements, mobile robot software management.

Mark T. Hoske is content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, [email protected].

KEYWORDS: Small-scale mobile robots, virtualization, distributed machine control

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Written by

Mark T. Hoske

Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.