Beckhoff Automation Announces Mini PCI Fieldbus Cards for Industrial PCs

MINNEAPOLIS, February 27, 2007 – Continuing the push to create the smallest Industrial PCs possible, Beckhoff Automation has released Mini PCI fieldbus cards for PROFIBUS, CANopen, DeviceNet and Ethernet networks. The resulting smaller PC size saves valuable control cabinet space, but, like standard PCI fieldbus cards, the interfaces are optimized for fast controllers and real-time tasks.

The newest Beckhoff Industrial PCs, including the C69xx cabinet PCs and the CP62xx or CP72xx Control Panel PCs, are extremely compact but equipped with powerful Intel® M Class processors. Each PC features 2 Ethernet ports and delivers high-performance PC-based control for Ethernet and next generation EtherCAT-based applications. Now these IPCs can be equipped with Mini PCI cards to integrate additional fieldbus technologies.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] When using Ethernet Mini PCI cards, the Industrial PCs contain a third available Ethernet port with 10 Mbit/s, 100 Mbit/s or 1000 Mbit/s communication. While the 100 Mbit/s Ethernet port offers optimum performance for all EtherCAT control tasks, a gigabit port is also available for connecting higher-level networks.

The fieldbus cards are most powerful when using Beckhoff TwinCAT PLC and NC software. However, other applications benefit from highly intelligent PCI cards that can handle fieldbus protocols efficiently on their own processors. The bus interface is not implemented on the fieldbus card, but separately in the PC housing (device-specific).

The fieldbus cards are available with optional NOVRAM. The NOVRAM memory module, with Mini PCI interfaces (128 kbyte, 256 kbyte and 512 kbyte) for fail-safe storage of process data, is available separately.

Beckhoff Automation provides advanced, open automation products based upon proven technologies so that customers can implement high performance control systems faster and at a lower overall cost than traditional PLC and motion control systems. Beckhoff’s “New Automation Technology” product range includes PC based control, industrial PCs, automation controllers, operator interface, I/O, servo drives and motors. With representation in 60 countries, Beckhoff is well positioned to provide global sales and service to its customers. Sales and service are handled directly, with no intermediaries involved to provide faster response and improved communications. Visit www.beckhoffautomation.com for more information.

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