Packaging

Drupa 2008: PC Control for the printing and paper industry

Thursday 15. May 2008 - At Drupa 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany, - the "largest print shop in the world" - Beckhoff will present its automation solutions for printing and paper machines for the first time. PC-based control technology from Beckhoff enables the whole process chain including prepress, printing and downstream processes such as conveying and production to be automated.

The highlight at the Beckhoff booth in Hall 3, Booth F33, is the fast XFC control solution based on advanced Industrial PCs, fast I/O terminals, the EtherCAT high-speed Ethernet system and the TwinCAT automation software. This technology opens up new process optimisation options for machine construction and plant engineering.

PC-based control technology
Open automation technology
Beckhoff offers open and flexible automation solutions on the basis of PC-based control technology. The scalability of the hardware and software components makes tailor-made solutions possible, which, as compared to conventional controllers, significantly increase the productivity and flexibility of printing machines. The Beckhoff range of products includes high-performance IPCs, a large variety of electronic I/O terminals, the EtherCAT high-speed fieldbus, the TwinCAT
automation software and flexibly deployable Servo Drive technology.
TwinCAT integrates PLC and Motion Control functions and controls the individual process steps of the machines with high performance. In addition, a range of software modules are available for specific tasks: The emphasis is on gearing and cam plate functionality and the wide range of synchronisation mechanisms required for the printing process in order to be able to handle almost any number of machine axes.


EtherCAT – Ultra high-speed communication


Fast control technology
The basis for the fast process communication is the EtherCAT Industrial Ethernet system, which is ideally suited for use in printing machines. The fast communication between the I/O signals and the controller – without special hardware – offers the machine manufacturer undreamt-of possibilities: Motion Control with multiple axes, synchronised through distributed EtherCAT clocks, with nanosecond precision.

At Drupa Beckhoff will present its fast control solution XFC (eXtreme Fast Control Technology). XFC is based on an optimised control and communication architecture. This technology increases the efficiency and precision of printing and paper machines. Distributed clock functionality enables high-precision printing mark control.