Beckhoff: 40 Years of Innovations

EtherCAT offers numerous technological advantages, but it has also benefited immensely over the past two decades from the disclosure of the protocol and the foundation of the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) related with it. In the following interview, Martin Rostan, Executive Director of ETG, describes the most important aspects of these two sides to the EtherCAT success story.
Rising infection rates and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that many of this year’s exhibitions and events were cancelled or postponed. After intense discussions with exhibitors and trade visitors, the automation industry’s international exhibition SPS – Smart Production Solutions – in Nuremberg was cancelled.
Schmid Maschinenbau is a powerful partner of the automotive industry. The company’s custom machines and production lines are used by numerous well-known automotive manufacturers and represent the highest quality. Murrelektronik works closely with Schmid Maschinenbau and supplies products that enable efficient and cost-effective electrical installations. This has a number of advantages and, in particular, helps to speed up commissioning time.
There are plenty of burning questions in the manufacturing industry. “How do we increase flexibility?” “How can we ensure consistent quality and accuracy throughout?” “What’s the best way to minimize the impact of recalls?” And the the big one: “What will the factory of the future look like?” In this globalized era, we need to take on a global perspective when discussing any aspect of manufacturing.
Much has been said about the potential of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), and there’s still a hope that some AI technologies will eventually become plug-and-play solutions. At the moment, however, false positives and false negatives remain prevalent, and it’s likely that these may never completely stop occurring. That said, AI is still a useful technology with the right business case, and it’s likely to play a major role in the factory of the future.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology has been making great strides in expanding the capabilities that manufacturers have in Traceability. Due to its industry-proven, robust, short, and long-range design to identify, track, and trace products and carriers, RFID offers solutions beyond optical barcode reading. It can also be easily integrated into automation platforms using standard Network protocols like EtherNet/IP.
EtherCAT offers numerous technological advantages, but it has also benefited immensely over the past two decades from the disclosure of the protocol and the foundation of the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) related with it. In the following interview, Martin Rostan, Executive Director of ETG, describes the most important aspects of these two sides to the EtherCAT success story.
Rising infection rates and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that many of this year’s exhibitions and events were cancelled or postponed. After intense discussions with exhibitors and trade visitors, the automation industry’s international exhibition SPS – Smart Production Solutions – in Nuremberg was cancelled.
Schmid Maschinenbau is a powerful partner of the automotive industry. The company’s custom machines and production lines are used by numerous well-known automotive manufacturers and represent the highest quality. Murrelektronik works closely with Schmid Maschinenbau and supplies products that enable efficient and cost-effective electrical installations. This has a number of advantages and, in particular, helps to speed up commissioning time.
There are plenty of burning questions in the manufacturing industry. “How do we increase flexibility?” “How can we ensure consistent quality and accuracy throughout?” “What’s the best way to minimize the impact of recalls?” And the the big one: “What will the factory of the future look like?” In this globalized era, we need to take on a global perspective when discussing any aspect of manufacturing.
Much has been said about the potential of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), and there’s still a hope that some AI technologies will eventually become plug-and-play solutions. At the moment, however, false positives and false negatives remain prevalent, and it’s likely that these may never completely stop occurring. That said, AI is still a useful technology with the right business case, and it’s likely to play a major role in the factory of the future.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology has been making great strides in expanding the capabilities that manufacturers have in Traceability. Due to its industry-proven, robust, short, and long-range design to identify, track, and trace products and carriers, RFID offers solutions beyond optical barcode reading. It can also be easily integrated into automation platforms using standard Network protocols like EtherNet/IP.
EtherCAT offers numerous technological advantages, but it has also benefited immensely over the past two decades from the disclosure of the protocol and the foundation of the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) related with it. In the following interview, Martin Rostan, Executive Director of ETG, describes the most important aspects of these two sides to the EtherCAT success story.
Rising infection rates and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that many of this year’s exhibitions and events were cancelled or postponed. After intense discussions with exhibitors and trade visitors, the automation industry’s international exhibition SPS – Smart Production Solutions – in Nuremberg was cancelled.
Schmid Maschinenbau is a powerful partner of the automotive industry. The company’s custom machines and production lines are used by numerous well-known automotive manufacturers and represent the highest quality. Murrelektronik works closely with Schmid Maschinenbau and supplies products that enable efficient and cost-effective electrical installations. This has a number of advantages and, in particular, helps to speed up commissioning time.
There are plenty of burning questions in the manufacturing industry. “How do we increase flexibility?” “How can we ensure consistent quality and accuracy throughout?” “What’s the best way to minimize the impact of recalls?” And the the big one: “What will the factory of the future look like?” In this globalized era, we need to take on a global perspective when discussing any aspect of manufacturing.
Much has been said about the potential of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), and there’s still a hope that some AI technologies will eventually become plug-and-play solutions. At the moment, however, false positives and false negatives remain prevalent, and it’s likely that these may never completely stop occurring. That said, AI is still a useful technology with the right business case, and it’s likely to play a major role in the factory of the future.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology has been making great strides in expanding the capabilities that manufacturers have in Traceability. Due to its industry-proven, robust, short, and long-range design to identify, track, and trace products and carriers, RFID offers solutions beyond optical barcode reading. It can also be easily integrated into automation platforms using standard Network protocols like EtherNet/IP.
This webinar presented by Beth Lessard and Keith Cordero will be highlighting three Panduit solutions that will optimize network equipment and cabling to ensure that your spaces are efficiently and properly managed to support ever-evolving business needs of today and beyond. Products that will be featured include PanZone TrueEdge Wall Mount Enclsoure, Cable Managers, and Adjustable Depth 4-Post Rack.
The Siemens SIMOVAC medium-voltage non-arc-resistant and SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant controllers have a modular design incorporating up to two 12SVC400 (400 A) controllers, housed in a freestanding sheet steel enclosure. Each controller is UL 347 class E2, equipped with three current-limiting fuses, a non-load-break isolating switch, and a fixed-mounted vacuum contactor (plug-in type optional for 12SVC400). The enclosure is designed for front access, allowing the equipment to be located with the rear of the equipment close to a non-combustible wall.
Power is vital to production, and well-designed control cabinets are key. Allied Electronics & Automation offers a comprehensive collection of control cabinet solutions including PLCs, HMIs, contactors, miniature circuit breakers, terminal block connectors, DIN-rail power supplies, pushbutton switches, motor starters, overloads, power relays, industrial Ethernet switches and AC drives engineered to keep your operations running safely, reliably and efficiently.
Learn more HERE.
Carlo Gavazzi Automation has launched its RSLS Series of Ultra-Slim Solid State Relays designed for low power DC and AC loads. The RSLS Series features a 1-pole, ultra-slim 5mm wide design, ideal for low power loads. The compact form factor aligns with industry standards, allowing the RSLS to replace electromechanical relays with the same footprint,… Read More…
May 6, 2025 AS-Interface enhances Efficiency and Flexibility in Silos Companies worldwide are relying on simple wiring and automation technologies to improve plant efficiency and availability. The proven AS-Interface technology offers high reliability, noise immunity and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities. Typical applications include wheat and grain silos, plants for concentrated and compound feed, and mills. In… Read More…