The co. introduces a combination of PC-based and industrial Ethernet technologies: The eXtreme Fast Control (XFC) technology. This technology offers performance improvements by a factor of 10 and enables cycle times of 100 microsec without having to give up central intelligence and the associated high-performance algorithms, the co. states. XFC technology is fully compatible with existing automation solutions so that standard tasks, high-speed control and measurements can be processed in parallel on the same hardware and software platform. A fast control system incorporates an advanced industrial PC, ultra-fast I/O terminals with extended real-time characteristics, the high-speed Ethernet fieldbus and EtherCAT and TwinCAT automation software.

Beckhoff Automation, 952/890-0000. www.beckhoffautomation.com