The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is transforming manufacturing with open automation systems connecting devices and machines across the factory floor.

With TwinCAT runtime for real-time Linux, Beckhoff is opening up new application possibilities for real-time control.

The MX-System helps tackle skills shortages and addresses DC power supply needs.

By Bradley McEwan, business development manager at automation and control technology specialist Beckhoff UK, discusses how software and modular hardware enables easy integration of technologies, like robotics and vision, that were once considered 'standalone'.

The EL6821 EtherCAT Terminal from Beckhoff allows up to 64 DALI/DALI-2 slaves and 64 DALI-2 input devices to be connected. The TwinCAT 3 System Manager makes it easy to configure and parameterize DALI devices flexibly.

Ideal for adaptive manufacturing, machine learning, vision and other complex applications, the IPC combines an ATX motherboard and GPU in one powerhouse device.

The CX5600 series offers expandable interfaces, operating system options and a familiar, rugged design for wide-ranging automation applications.

Over the past year and a half, supply chain challenges have been significant, with lead times for advanced components like drives, PLCs, and HMIs often exceeding 52 weeks. However, improvements in lead times and inventory levels have been observed.

With 12th Gen Intel^® Core™ processors, the controllers help engineers tackle tough applications, such as multi-axis motion, machine learning and vision, with reduced space requirements.

Integrated PC-based control technology from Beckhoff facilitates the implementation of a modular system architecture at LJ Welding Automation.