With the CX series of Embedded PCs, Beckhoff has
combined PC technology and modular I/O level to form a DIN rail
unit in the control cabinet. The CX device series combines the worlds
of Industrial PC and hardware PLC and is suitable for mediumperformance
control tasks. The modular control system can be configured to match
the task in hand and can be installed in the control cabinet or
the terminal box.
The CX system covers the whole range of Beckhoff control technology
both in terms of price and performance: This product range is designed
for tasks requiring the characteristics and computing capacity of
Industrial PCs, but whose budget does not stretch to full-blown
Industrial PCs. The system only uses the components that are actually
required. For example, a CX can be operated in “headless”
mode, i.e. without display or keyboard; in this case, the associated
interface is not required.
Scalable performance classes
The CX family includes several basic CPU modules with different processors
for optimum adaptation to the respective control task:
 |
| CX1030: |
high-performance CX with Intel® Pentium® M CPU, 1.8
GHz processor |
|
| CX1020: |
high-performance CX with Intel® Celeron® M ULV CPU,
1 GHz processor |
|
| CX1010: |
basic CX with Pentium® MMX-compatible CPU, 500 MHz processor |
|
| CX1000: |
basic CX with Pentium® MMX-compatible CPU, 266 MHz processor |
|
| CX9010: |
Ethernet controller with Intel® IXP420 XScale® technology,
533 MHz processor |
|
| CX9000: |
Ethernet controller with Intel® IXP420 XScale® technology,
266 MHz processor |
Apart from various CPUs, the individual CX types also have different
system interfaces and power supply units. Via associated I/O interfaces
the CX1030, CX1020, CX1010, CX9000 and CX9010 Embedded PCs support
Beckhoff Bus Terminals and also EtherCAT Terminals as I/O system.
The components
The modules of the CX series system are connected with each other
via the standardised PC104 bus (16-bit). The individual system components
come as modules with single (19 mm) or double width (38 mm)
that can be connected in series. The basic unit for the CX1030,
CX1020 and CX1010 series consists of a CPU module and a power supply
module. The CX9000 and CX9010 devices integrate CPU and power supply
in a single unit. Depending on the CX type, the controllers can
be expanded through further system interfaces. The range of optional
modules is complemented by fieldbus connections for PROFIBUS, CANopen,
DeviceNet, SERCOS interface and Lightbus, both as master or slave
versions.
The software
In combination with the TwinCAT automation software, the CX Embedded
PC becomes a powerful IEC 61131-3 PLC that can also handle Motion
Control tasks. Depending on the required cycle time, it may be used
to control several servo axes. With the CX1030, CX1020 or CX1010
even special functions such as “flying saw”, “electronic
gearbox” or “cam plate” can be realised. The CX
thus becomes a controller that covers PLC, Motion Control and visualisation
tasks with a single hardware. Under Windows CE, thanks to the real-time
capability of the operating system, user tasks written in high-level
languages can be processed in real-time in parallel with TwinCAT.
Wide range of applications
Due to the design and the features of an industrial PC Control,
the Embedded PCs can be used in a wide range of applications. Existing
applications include mechanical engineering (automatic sawing machines,
automatic assembly machines, paper cutting machines, screwdriver
control, packing machines, sheet metal processing, handling equipment),
process technology (water treatment, power generation, consumption
logging), building services (room control, access control) and many
more. |
