Efficient all the way to the cloud

On the software side, the Twincat 3 Plastic Framework, the Twincat Analytics data analysis solution and Twincat OPC UA for communication in accordance with the Euromap standard form the basis for this. On the hardware side, Ethercat terminals for energy data acquisition and servomotor drives play an important role as an alternative to hydraulic solutions.

The Twincat 3 Plastic Framework enables the seamless integration of hydraulic and electric drive technology and thus offers a modular and powerful control solution for plastics machines that is designed to minimize development costs. According to Beckhoff, this provides all the prerequisites for achieving efficient and sustainable plastics processing with precise process control and end-to-end digitalization.

The Plastic Framework bundles Beckhoff's plastics expertise and integrates important industry-specific control functions. These are complemented by a collection of industry-specific framework controls that can be integrated into the solution. The integration of Euromap/OPC UA is also possible. The sample code already included for various plastics applications, such as injection molding, blow molding and extrusion, facilitates project planning and programming.

Data transparency for greater production and energy efficiency

Support for all common Euromap interfaces enables the user to exchange standardized data both between individual machines and with the higher-level MES. In addition, the Twincat Analytics data analysis tool can be used to aggregate process data in sync with the machine cycle. This data can be used to derive all the necessary information about the manufacturing process and machine status in order to optimize production efficiency and energy consumption.

With a portfolio of I/O terminals, Beckhoff also integrates the measurement technology required for energy monitoring into the standard control technology. Modular measurement technology terminals are available for temperature, power, current and voltage through to complex network or condition monitoring. The signals are made available to the control system as raw data for further processing. This means that only a single controller is required for automation and energy data acquisition. Implementation is simplified with PC-based control; retrofitting requires little effort.

The dynamic and high-precision servo drive technology from Beckhoff opens up further possibilities for saving energy and conserving resources in plastics processing. There are decisive advantages over previous hydraulic solutions, for example, on the one hand due to the very good controllability and on the other hand due to the higher energy efficiency up to the complete elimination of a hydraulic infrastructure in the machine or system. This is made possible by the AM8000 rotary servomotors, the AL8000 linear servomotors and the new AA3000 electric cylinders.