License model

TF5500 | TwinCAT 3 MC3 Base

The TF5500 | TwinCAT 3 MC3 Base license is a prerequisite for any MC3 axis application.

TF5500 | TwinCAT 3 MC3 Base includes 10 axis licenses. An axis license is initially only valid for Beckhoff or simulation axes. The number of licensed axes can be expanded flexibly using an MC3 Axes license (TF551x).

Axes from other manufacturers can also be controlled. However, they require a multi-vendor license in addition to an axis license. Five multi-vendor licenses are included in the MC3 Base license, and more can be added through an additional TwinCAT 3 MC3 Multi Vendor license (TF553x).

This results in possible configurations consisting of five Beckhoff or simulation axes and five axes from other manufacturers (for a total of 10 axis licenses). The key factor is a total of no more than 10 axes, with a maximum of five axes from other manufacturers that can be used. It is not possible to combine four Beckhoff or simulation axes with six axes from other manufacturers without an additional TwinCAT 3 MC3 Multi Vendor license and a TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes license. The Axes license is required because a Multi Vendor license always requires at least one Axes license of the same size.

In addition to axis licenses, the MC3 Base license includes the functionality needed for the implementation of point-to-point (PTP) applications and couplings, such as the flying saw. Further functionalities are available through supplementary products (TF5550, TF5560).

TF551x | TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes

TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes expand TF5500 TwinCAT 3 MC3 Base with additional axis licenses.

Depending on the TF551x license and platform, the number of axes can be increased to 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 250, 500, 1000, or 1500. The number of axes from the TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes license is considered the new maximum number of axes. The 10 axis licenses included in TwinCAT 3 MC3 Base (or up to five of those axes from other manufacturers) are already included in the total and are not added to it. It is not possible to combine TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes licenses.

An axis license is initially only valid for Beckhoff or simulation axes. Axes from other manufacturers can also be controlled. However, they require a multi-vendor license in addition to an axis license. Five multi-vendor licenses are included in the MC3 Base license, and more can be added through an additional MC3 Multi Vendor license (TF553x).

More than 1500 axes The TF5518 | TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes 1500 license does not represent the actual maximum possible number of axes. If you need to control more than 1500 axes, please contact your Beckhoff representative.

TF553x | TwinCAT 3 MC3 Multi-Vendor

In addition to the control of Beckhoff axes, TwinCAT 3 MC3 also supports the control of axes from other manufacturers.

However, these require a multi-vendor license in addition to an axis license. Five multi-vendor licenses are included in the MC3 Base license, and more can be added through an additional TwinCAT 3 MC3 Multi Vendor license.

A variant of TF551x TwinCAT 3 MC3 Axes is also required to obtain the necessary axis licenses.

TF5550 and TF5560 function extension licenses

The TF5500 enables the implementation of PTP applications with simple couplings. The following licenses can be used to expand the range of functionality.