Beckhoff: TwinCAT Controller Redundancy

PB-59-Beckhoff-TwinCATRedundancy-400.jpg

August 22, 2022

Plant availability plays a crucial role in the process industry in particular, so building redundancy into automation technology designs is vital. This is why Beckhoff expanded its extensive range of solutions in this area to also include a software solution for redundant control operation: TwinCAT Controller Redundancy.

While the robust design of the company’s Industrial PCs alone already ensures a high level of availability, Beckhoff is now expanding its product portfolio to check yet another box with TwinCAT Controller Redundancy (TF1100). This entirely software-based solution allows two standard industrial PCs that both run the same PLC program to operate as redundant controllers in just a few easy steps.

An additional, high-performance network connection between the two controllers provides the necessary synchronization. Standard Ethernet is used here, so no dedicated hardware components are required. With minimal effort, this ensures that only one of the two industrial PCs addresses the fieldbus components at any given time, and that the control programs are executed simultaneously on both computers. This synchronicity is the basic prerequisite for changing the primary industrial PC in the event of a fault without losing any information.

Other redundancy methods

In addition to controller redundancy, the well-established EtherCAT Redundancy (TF6220) software protects against failures caused by faulty cable connections. The I/O modules are connected by two separate cables, which should ideally be laid in different locations. While EtherCAT Redundancy addresses communication from the controller to the fieldbus, the TwinCAT Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP, TF6230) now also provides cable redundancy for Ethernet communication according to IEC 62439-3 to higher-level systems such as MES or decoupled HMI systems. The protocol defines a redundant and transparent network connection, which can be monitored and diagnosed in TwinCAT.

For more information, visit HERE.

Source

Related Articles

PB-47-ABB-ReliaGearLVSG-400.jpg

ABB’s New ReliaGear LV SG Offers Customers Improved Protection and Preventive Maintenance Capabilities

ABB have recently announced the release of ReliaGear LV SG low voltage switchgear platform incorporating the best of both worlds: cutting edge Emax 2 circuit breakers with Ekip trip units integrated into the proven AKD low voltage switchgear platform.

 

 

 

HARTING interface supplies Power, Data and Signals for the “metroSNAP“

HARTING interface supplies Power, Data and Signals for the “metroSNAP“

HARTING is taking the next step in the direction of the mobility concepts of tomorrow with the Rinspeed “metroSNAP”. Whether passenger transport or freight logistics, the metroSNAP can be used in highly versatile manner. The HARTING module helps the driver use the vehicle for a wide range of tasks in a fast, flexible manner. Like its predecessors — the “SNAP” and “microSNAP” — the vehicle is divided into two elements. On the one hand, there is the Skateboard that serves as an optimised electric vehicle, and on the other there is the “Pod”, which can be switched out in flexible manner to accommodate different tasks.

 

 

 

PB-63-Antaira-STE-6104C-T-V2-400.jpg

Antaira Helps Wastewater Plant Operators Leverage Legacy Serial Devices in Ethernet Networks

Control of wastewater treatment plants is a complex task requiring thousands of measurement devices to provide constant data throughout the water cleansing process. However, control networks in many of America’s aging treatment plants were built using equipment requiring serial connections, and not today’s Ethernet communication standard.

 

 

 

Changing Scene

Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.

ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More

Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More

Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More

JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More

Latest Articles

  • Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    The Safety Functional Requirements Specification (SFRS; sometimes referred to as SRS or Safety Requirements Specification) is the plan for the safety controls on a machine and is the second step of the safety lifecycle. The SFRS document serves as a framework for the safety control system design, is informed by prior work done in the… Read More…

  • From Endress+Hauser, 24/7 Digital, Plant-Wide Health Monitoring for Rockwell Systems Optimizes Workflows and Processes

    From Endress+Hauser, 24/7 Digital, Plant-Wide Health Monitoring for Rockwell Systems Optimizes Workflows and Processes

    Endress+Hauser’s Asset Health Monitoring Solution–Rockwell Edition, now available for installation, provides operators with a centralized, digital overview of plant-wide device health to avoid unscheduled shutdowns and accelerate troubleshooting. It not only presents early visibility of problematic devices but distinguishes itself by adding likely causes and remedies to such a report so problems can be fixed… Read More…