CX5600 | Embedded PC series

The CX5600 series supplements the existing CX5100 devices with absolutely identical housing dimensions. What is new, however, is the expandability on the left-hand side by a module of the type CX2500-xxxx, with an additional space requirement of about 22 mm in width. This allows further PC interfaces (e.g. two additional 1 Gbit Ethernet ports) or fieldbus interfaces (e.g. for PROFIBUS, CANopen, etc.) to be added to the system.

The basic equipment of the CX5600 Embedded PCs includes two independent 1.0 Gbit Ethernet interfaces, four USB 3.0 ports, one DVI-D interface and a multi-option interface that can be flexibly equipped ex factory, for example with a serial port or a fieldbus connection.

The boot and storage medium is an interchangeable, industrially compatible M.2 SSD (SATA), whose slot is accessible behind a cover. The operating system as well as TwinCAT and user projects are stored on it. Fast hardware exchange is thus possible if service is required; a software update can be performed simply by replacing the M.2 SSD on site. The built-in capacitive 1-second UPS ensures secure backup of persistent application data on the M.2 SSD. The data and time are buffered by an exchangeable battery (button cell).

EtherCAT as a fast I/O system

The Embedded PCs were developed with a view to optimized interaction with EtherCAT. Therefore, each CX5600 controller has an internal primary EtherCAT port. This can be fed to the right to the I/O level in order to enable the use of EtherCAT I/O Terminals. If necessary, however, it can also switch automatically to the K-bus terminal system.

Both Ethernet ports of the CX5600 can be used both for standard IT connections and as additional EtherCAT master interfaces. In conjunction with EtherCAT and TwinCAT, it is possible to implement very fast control processes in the microsecond range (eXtreme Fast Control Technology).

Due to the separate 1.0 Gbit Ethernet interfaces it is also possible to use EtherCAT with cable redundancy by using one of the Ethernet interfaces as a redundancy port. In addition, the devices can be operated with a EtherCAT slave interface in the multi-option interface so that several intelligent controllers can be synchronized via an EtherCAT network.

PLC, motion control, interpolation, and visualization

Multi-core CPUs in conjunction with TwinCAT 3 enable PLC projects to be distributed to several cores, resulting in significant performance gains. Likewise, all TwinCAT Motion Control functions can be used to the full: in addition to simple point-to-point movements, more complex multi-axis functions such as electronic gearing, cam plate and flying saw are possible. Interpolating 3D path movements and complex axis kinematics are also executable, however, the transition to more powerful devices from the CX2000 series must be checked in the individual case here.

With the CX5600 series, particular importance was also attached to the continuation of support for TwinCAT 2 (32 bit); an upgrade to the more modern TwinCAT 3 (64 bit) is however possible at any time with this device series. With both TwinCAT 2 and TwinCAT 3, the management in the TwinCAT real-time kernel ensures that sufficient time remains for the user interface (HMI) in addition to the control tasks run in real-time. The high performance of the graphics kernel integrated in the CPU enables demanding visualizations with advanced user interfaces to be realized.

The CX5600 series is also available as an Embedded PC without operating system and without TwinCAT. The extended operating temperature range from -25°C to +60°C enables use under climatically challenging conditions.