TwinCAT
PLC and Motion Control on the PC
TwinCAT - The Windows Control and Automation Technology
The TwinCAT automation software converts any compatible PC into a real-time controller with multi-PLC, NC axis control, programming environment and operating station. TwinCAT replaces conventional PLC and NC controllers as well as operating devices:
- open, compatible PC hardware
- Embedding of IEC 61131-3 software PLC, software NC and software CNC in Windows NT/2000/XP, NT/XP Embedded, CE
- Programming and runtime systems optionally together on one PC or separated
- Connection to all common fieldbus systems
- PC interfaces are supported
- Data communication with user interfaces and other programs by means of open Microsoft standards (OPC, OCX, DLL, etc.)
TwinCAT architecture
TwinCAT consists of runtime systems for real-time execution of control programs and development environments for programming, diagnosis and configuration. Any Windows programs, for instance visualization programs or Office programs, can access TwinCAT data via Microsoft interfaces, or can execute commands.
A practically oriented software solution
TwinCAT offers a precise time-base in which programs are executed with the highest deterministic features, independently of other processor tasks. The real-time load on a PC is set with TwinCAT: This achieves a defined operating behavior. TwinCAT displays the system load for running programs. A loading threshold can be set, in order to assure a defined computing capacity for the operating programs and for Windows NT/2000/XP. If this threshold is exceeded, a system message is generated.
TwinCAT supports system diagnosis
The general use of hardware and software from the open PC world requires some checking: Unsuitable components can upset the PC system. Beckhoff integrates a handy display of the real-time jitter in order to provide administrators with a simple means of evaluating hardware and software. A system message during operation can draw attention to error states.
Start/stop behavior
Depending on the setting, TwinCAT is started and stopped manually or automatically. Since TwinCAT is integrated into Windows NT/2000/XP as a service, an operator is not needed to start the system: switching on is enough.
Restarting and data backup
When a program is started or restarted, TwinCAT loads programs and remanent data. To backup data, and to shut down Windows NT/2000/XP correctly, a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is of great value.
TwinCAT and "Blue Screen"
The TwinCAT system can be configured such that real-time capability is maintained in the event of a BSOD (Blue-Screen-of-Death) operating system crash. Real-time tasks such as PLC and NC can thus continue to run and place the controlled process in a safe state. Ultimately, it is the decision of the programmer whether or not to utilize this feature, bearing in mind that data or programs may already have been destroyed by the BSOD.
World-wide connection through message routing - "remote" connection is inherent to the system
According to the requirement for operating resources, the TwinCAT software devices can be distributed: TwinCAT PLC programs can be executed on PCs and on Beckhoff Bus Terminal controllers. A "message router" manages and distributes all the messages, both in the system and via TCP/IP connections. PC systems can be connected to one another by TCP/IP; Bus Terminal controllers are connected via serial interfaces and fieldbus systems (EtherCAT, Lightbus, PROFIBUS DP, PROFINET, Interbus, CANopen, DeviceNet, RS232, RS485, Ethernet TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP).
World-wide access
Since standard TCP/IP services from Windows NT/2000/XP are used, this data exchange can take place worldwide. The system offers scalable communication capacity and timeout periods for the monitoring of communications. OPC provides a standardized means for accessing many different SCADA packets. The SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) enables a connection between two computers to be established by means of an internet connection via standard HTTP. A TwinCAT component is available for this purpose.
Beckhoff Information System
Further information on the TwinCAT automation software can be found in the Beckhoff Information System.
The setup for installing the Beckhoff Information System is available to you on the Beckhoff Products & Solutions DVD and on our website for download.
In addition, the online version of the Beckhoff Information System can be found at https://infosys.beckhoff.com.