Efficiency, flexibility, and transparency are crucial for sustainable competitiveness. For production machines, the focus is on efficiency and reliability, while test bench technology requires flexibility in terms of interfaces, sensor technology, and actuators. Advanced test benches require dynamic control systems and precise, calibrated measurement data. Operators want to make their systems future-proof, for example through new safety technology, condition monitoring, or energy measurement to optimize consumption.
With our system-integrated measurement and testing technology, we provide you with a modular range of measuring hardware and software products for designing advanced, high-performance DAQ systems.
Your head start in measurement and testing technology with Beckhoff:
- measurement technology integrated into the automation platform
- powerful portfolio of EtherCAT measurement terminals in several performance classes
- wide variety of supported signal types, channel numbers, and designs
- platform for pre-development, test benches, in- or end-of-line measurement technology
- measurement technology can be combined with existing control architectures
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Areas of application
Machine building
System-integrated measurement technology increases the competitiveness of machines.
Test benches
Dynamic measurement technology optimizes test benches in research and laboratories.
Energy and power measurement
IIoT-enabled solutions offer transparency for machines and energy distribution.
Our technology for measurement and testing
PC-based control – high-performance data acquisition, stand-alone or system-integrated
With PC-based control, Beckhoff provides an open system solution for DAQ systems and all measurement and testing technology sectors. Scalable industrial PCs form the backbone of the system, paired with the TwinCAT software platform. Modular in design and scalable in terms of performance, variable hardware is available for all machine functions. This approach is also transferable to all tasks that are required in the metrological environment. Regardless of whether 5, 500, or 50,000 measurement channels are recorded, whether the task involves a massive accumulation of measurement data and complicated calculations based on this data, or whether eternal file storage in gigabyte dimensions is needed: all these requirements are no challenge for scalable PC-based control systems.
Your head start in measurement and testing technology:
- integrated into the system: combine and synchronize measurement and testing technology with all other control components
- end-to-end: control all processes via a standardized software platform
- scalable: combine high-precision measurement technology with standard I/Os for optimal resolution, accuracy, channel count, and sample rate
- flexible: integrate measurement and testing technology with actuators, vision, and sensors
Modular DAQ system: From data acquisition to analysis
Whether you need standard accuracy and resolution or high precision and extreme speed, you can create any measurement chain with the EtherCAT measurement modules from Beckhoff. This is ensured by interlinking hardware and software modules as effectively as possible: sensors at field level are connected to I/O modules that communicate with each controller via a fieldbus. Beckhoff Measurement Technology shows its full strength when combined with EtherCAT as a measurement technology fieldbus, which transmits large amounts of data to the control system in a time-synchronized manner. TwinCAT software is an engineering tool with comprehensive functions: PLC, measurement technology, analytics, motion control, robotics, safety, visualization, vision, and communication, including a wide range of database and cloud connections.
The benefits of control-integrated measurement technology:
- variable: IP20 and IP67 sensor connection to I/O modules
- high-performance: high-precision and time-synchronized data transmission with EtherCAT
- versatile: software integration of all functions in TwinCAT
- flexible: configure standard and precision measurement technology as required
- open: combine Beckhoff Measurement Technology with existing controls
Fast and synchronized at the highest sampling rates
EtherCAT technology was launched by Beckhoff in 2003 and made available as an open automation technology standard. Due to its outstanding performance, flexible range of topology, and simple configuration, EtherCAT is the standard in many industries. EtherCAT P creates additional synergies as a One Cable Automation fieldbus. With little wiring work, small and large measuring devices can be installed outside the control cabinet – distributed throughout the system – and used to collect measured values. In addition, technologies such as distributed clocks, oversampling, and synchronization with external time signals really set EtherCAT apart for use in metrological applications in laboratory or production environments, right through to particularly data-intensive applications with thousands of channels with sampling rates of 100 ksamples/s per channel.
The benefits for measurement and testing technology:
- extremely fast cycle times for precise and efficient processes
- maximum performance at speeds of 1 Gbit/s or 10 Gbit/s (EtherCAT G10)
- high measurement quality due to timestamps, distributed clocks, and oversampling
- wide selection of EtherCAT-compatible sensors and actuators
- flexible integration of other fieldbus systems
TwinCAT's DNA: Flexibility, modularity, and outstanding performance
As an end-to-end development environment, TwinCAT 3 integrates all engineering and runtime processes for implementing all control tasks. Programming is carried out in accordance with the IEC 61131-3 programming standards with interfaces to C/C++, MATLAB®, and Simulink®. Even demanding tasks in metrological data processing can be easily solved with TwinCAT, supported by a wide range of measurement technology functions, e.g., TwinCAT Scope as visualization, TwinCAT Analytics for data analysis, and PLC libraries for filters, condition monitoring, power monitoring, vision, and machine learning. Microsoft Visual Studio is used as the standard workbench as it supports different version management systems and simplifies team-based programming.
TwinCAT highlights for measurement and testing technology:
- high-performance real-time platform supports cycle times of 50 µs and faster
- ready-made software blocks and functions simplify engineering
- can be combined with scientific development tools
- diverse options for data storage and evaluation
Our product highlights for measurement and testing
The entire range of automation signals in one system
With its portfolio of bus and EtherCAT Terminals, Beckhoff provides a comprehensive range of I/O modules with IP20 and IP67 protection ratings. A wide range of fieldbus systems is also supported. In addition to the usual signal types and combinations, many other I/O modules are available for special input signals: current, voltage, power, temperature, resistance, thermocouples, and measuring bridges right through to various encoder interfaces, fast pulse counters, and I/O terminals for controlling motors (compact drive technology). With the I/O modules from Beckhoff, you can configure your customized solution for measurement and testing tasks.
The highlights for measurement and testing technology:
- extensive portfolio of EtherCAT and bus terminals
- can be combined to create customized I/O configurations
- various form factors and IP protection classes
- free topology selection due to extensive infrastructure components
- precision and standard resolutions can be mixed as required
System-integrated high-end measurement technology for DAQ applications
ELMxxxx EtherCAT measurement terminals provide a lean control architecture both in the production environment and on the test bench. As part of the universal EtherCAT Terminal system, they supplement it with precise analog input terminals that offer high-performance measurement functions. The ELMxxxx EtherCAT Terminals are the ideal choice for measurements that require maximum measurement accuracy (0.01 %, 100 ppm) and fast, synchronous acquisition. The two series – basic (10–50 ksps per channel, simultaneous) and economy (1 ksps per channel, multiplexed) – turn the universal terminal system into a DAQ system that is flexible and powerful.
The benefits of system-integrated high-end measurement technology:
- replaces external DAQ systems
- up to 50,000 samples/s per channel with simultaneous acquisition (basic line)
- cross-terminal time synchronization (distributed clocks)
- high measuring accuracy of up to ±0.01 % (100 ppm) and better
- extensive mathematical functions and filters can be set
- can be combined with EtherCAT Terminals (ELxxxx, ESxxxx, ELXxxxx)
Precise measurement results – certified
As part of a measurement chain, EtherCAT Terminals are also subject to special requirements with regard to the reproducibility and traceability of measurement results. Beckhoff supports cases like this with factory, DAkks, or ISO 17025 calibration certificates for certain EtherCAT Terminals from the EL3xxx and ELM3xxx series. The certificates specifically state the compensation points achieved and the measurement uncertainty of the compensation. These values can be used, for example, to increase the achievable accuracy in the application, which represents concrete added value. The certificate is issued for individual terminals and enables a more precise definition of the entire measurement chain down to the individual measurement channel, thus reducing measurement uncertainty. Each certificate is uniquely assigned to a terminal using an ID number. Recalibration at the Verl production site is also available on request.
The benefits of calibration for measurement and testing technology:
- calibration certificates for EtherCAT Terminals increase the precision of the measuring chain
- calibrated EtherCAT Terminals can be combined with standard I/O components as required
- variants with factory, DAkkS, or ISO 17025 calibration certificate available
- optional recalibration of EtherCAT Terminals at the factory
Extract process and test bench data efficiently
Data from machines, systems, or test benches is valuable and must therefore be stored reliably and securely. This is exactly what the TwinCAT Database Server provides by executing a high-performance data exchange between TwinCAT and various database systems: in addition to relational databases such as Microsoft SQL, Oracle, MySQL, or SQLite, NoSQL databases such as MongoDB are also supported, which come into their own for varying measurement activities. Working with the TwinCAT Database Server is just as flexible as the database connection: From the simple NoCode configuration and the PLC Expert mode for programmers who do not want to create SQL commands, right through to the SQL Expert mode with maximum flexibility for SQL specialists.
The benefits for measurement and testing technology:
- write measured values from the real-time context directly to databases
- support for relational and NoSQL databases
- various configuration modes facilitate project planning and choice of measurement data
- PLC code generation for simple implementation in the control system
- various PLC function blocks for different user groups
Merging the worlds of measurement technology
In many laboratory applications, LabVIEW™ is established as the program language, recipe management system, and HMI. Nevertheless, no one has to do without the advantages of a TwinCAT system with its diversity and real time: via the bidirectional TwinCAT 3 Interface for LabVIEWTM, the operator can conveniently access all TwinCAT data via the familiar LabVIEW™ interface and integrate it into the LabVIEW™ application. There are several transmission modes to choose from to enable fast response times or high transmission bandwidths. ADS client VIs for LabVIEW™ are provided for data exchange with the TwinCAT runtime. An NTP client VI ensures the synchronization of both systems.
The benefits in measurement and testing technology:
- optimizes data exchange between LabVIEW™ user level and Beckhoff hardware
- bidirectional communication between TwinCAT and LabVIEW™
- TwinCAT data can be streamed, processed, and displayed in LabVIEW™
- LabVIEW™ data can control TwinCAT systems and transfer external measurement signals to TwinCAT
(LabVIEW™ and NI™ are trademarks of National Instruments®. Neither Beckhoff, nor any software programs or other goods or services offered by Beckhoff, are affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by National Instruments®).
Are you looking for solutions for special applications?
TwinCAT Machine Learning – artificial intelligence at control level
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an effective technology for automating processes. Machine learning (ML) as an AI method is ideal for detecting patterns or anomalies in large amounts of data. However, there are often not enough AI experts to be able to implement artificial intelligence on a broad scale.
With the system-integrated TwinCAT Machine Learning AI range, programmers can develop high-quality AI models based on their processes without any AI expertise and have them executed in the machine controller in real time.
TwinCAT Analytics – creating and distributing valuable information from data
TwinCAT Analytics is a product family for the comprehensive analysis of machine data, from a single local machine to many machine parks distributed across locations. Several tools map the complete workflow, from raw data acquisition and evaluation with various algorithms to the archiving and display of live and historical machine data, e.g., in TwinCAT Analytics One-Click Dashboards.
Since on-premises applications are increasingly being moved to cloud systems, there is also a need for machines and systems to feed their production and status information into these systems. TwinCAT IoT provides the necessary connectivity via OPC UA, MQTT, or REST.
MATLAB® and Simulink®– strong partners for TwinCAT
MATLAB® and Simulink® are established programming environments in science and industry. With TwinCAT Target for MATLAB® and Simulink® as well as TwinCAT Interface for MATLAB® and Simulink®, Beckhoff supports deep integration of both tools in TwinCAT.
Starting from engineering in Simulink®, instantiable TwinCAT Object Models (TcCOM) can be generated, which are triggered directly via a real-time task or called via other TcCOMs. This allows, for example, observers or virtual sensors to be created that can be executed in real time or the behavior of non-existent components (hardware-in-the-loop) to be simulated in real time. With TwinCAT Target for MATLAB®, the functions developed in the MATLAB® scripting language can be translated into C/C++ code using MATLAB® Coder™ and used in TwinCAT.
Condition monitoring – integrated into the control system or as a retrofit
The advantages of proactive maintenance are undisputed: the reliability of the systems increases, maintenance costs fall, and production output remains at a consistently high level.
Beckhoff’s flexible measurement technology program and the TwinCAT condition monitoring library provide all the necessary tools for implementing highly effective machine condition monitoring based on proven PC-based control technology and high-performance communication via EtherCAT. Our condition monitoring products have also been used to monitor wind turbines for many years.
