Open automation solutions for photovoltaic production

With the extensive portfolio of robust and powerful Industrial PCs, fieldbus components and drive technology, TwinCAT automation software as well as the high-speed EtherCAT communication system and XFC, the high speed machine control system, Beckhoff provides an extensive range of solutions for all process steps in photovoltaic production.

PC- and EtherCAT-based automation

PC-based Control
The Beckhoff Industrial PCs represent the most powerful hardware platform for
PC-based control technology. Beckhoff supplies Industrial PCs constructed in a variety of forms and equipped in various ways. The PCs feature industrial design and are equipped with top-performance components. They are based on open IT
and automation standards. Individual housing constructions ensure optimised adaptation to the control requirements.

Maximum performance with EtherCAT
The basis for ultra-fast process communi-
cation is the EtherCAT Industrial Ethernet system, which is ideally suited for use in photovoltaic production. The high-speed communication between the controller and the I/O terminals – without special hardware – offers previously undreamt-of possibilities: Motion Control with numerous axes synchronised through EtherCAT distributed clocks with nanosecond precision.
EtherCAT

EtherCAT Servo Drives
The AX5000 Servo Drive series is available in single- or multi-channel form and is optimised for exceptional functionality and cost-effectiveness. Integrated control technology supports fast and highly dynamic positioning tasks. The AX5000 enables flexible motor selection. EtherCAT as
high-performance system communication enables ideal interfacing with PC-based control technology.
AX5000

HD Bus Terminals – 16 channels in 12 mm
The new Bus Terminal generation with increased packing density: the “High Density” Bus Terminals feature 16 digital connection points in the housing of a 12 mm electronic terminal block. This reduces the space required in the control cabinet and significantly lowers the channel price. The HD Bus Terminals are implemented for E-bus and K-bus in different versions, e.g.: 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 8 digital inputs + 8 digital outputs, 8 digital inputs (2-wire system), 8 digital outputs (2-wire system). HD Bus Terminals

Robotics, Motion Control and PLC
on one PC platform
With the “TwinCAT Kinematic Transformation” library, robots can now also be integrated seam-
lessly into the PC Control. TwinCAT supports various parallel and serial kinematics, such as those used for pick-and-place tasks. Application examples in photovoltaic production are loading
and unloading in automatic production lines for solar cells.