One Cable Technology reduces installation and cabling costs

As the encoder cable is eliminated, fewer cables need to be pulled through the machine. The Machinery Directive states that power and encoder cables must be routed separately. Thus, separate cable channels must be installed. This is not the case with OCT.

In large installations with many motors, the risk of mixing up the cables is also eliminated; it is impossible to make the mistake of connectingencoder cable 1 to motor 2. The encoder is always directly assigned to the motor.

The feedback line is eliminated, which cuts motor costs, since the cost-intensive IP65/67 round plug and assembly, which can be extensive, are omitted.

Inventory costs are effectively halved.

As routing work is also halved, installation costs are reduced too.

OCT reduces the number of cables in drag chains (= narrower chains) and cable channels. This makes these components smaller and narrower, and thus less expensive.

Since a cable and connector are not needed for the motor and controller, the component and commissioning costs are reduced.

Drive technology is often found on moving elements, such as robots, multi-axis gantries, or pick-and-place robots. Here, limited space and oscillating mass play a major role.

By reducing the number of cables, the drag chains and cable channels also become smaller.

All OCT encoders allow access to all encoder data. This allows the encoder temperature, LED luminosity, and operating hours to be monitored.

The Beckhoff Smart System Diagnosis (B/SSD) ordering option also makes it possible to measure vibrations and humidity precisely and thus monitor the state of systems and servomotors in real time with minimal effort. This provides the basis for statistical evaluation with TwinCAT Analytics and effective predictive maintenance. Machine conditions and processes can therefore be monitored effectively and any necessary action taken in a timely manner to ensure efficient operation and maximum machine uptime.

B/SSD uses the proven One Cable Technology (OCT), which eliminates the need for additional sensors and sensor cables and significantly reduces wiring work.

With full integration in TwinCAT Analytics, live data and historical data can be recorded, clearly visualized, and processed into valuable information with B/SSD for machine optimization. Vibration measurements can be performed as an average value (RMS), with peak values (peak-to-peak), or statistically (kurtosis) up to ±50 g.

Compared to dual cable solutions, the cable length is not limited. The maximum length is 100 m, which matches standard EtherCAT and Industrial Ethernet cabling. The OCT cables are available for cost-optimized fixed installation with PVC sheathing or with PUR sheathing suitable for drag chains. A torsion cable with PUR sheathing can be used for robotic variants.

OCT cables are available for all motor series, including stainless steel motors or anodized motors in hygienic applications.

One Cable Technology is based on standard servomotor cables that have been tried and tested in the field over the course of many years. This technology has become a market standard that has been characterized and established by Beckhoff for over a decade. Over 90% of our motors are now supplied via OCT.