INTERCONNECTION FEATURE
INDUSTRIAL CONNECTOR ENABLES TWICE THE NUMBER OF PORTS FOR LONG DRIVING DISTANCES
Beckhoff XTS system and Harting ix Industrial interface combination results in a solution that benefits from linear and rotational drives in a space saving design
U
p until recently the Ethernet interface of the IP20 space most
widely used across the world has been the RJ45 connector. However, due to its lack of robustness caused by broken locking tabs and occasional contact problems, it has lost favour with many users. In view of ever-smaller devices, such as flat mobile devices, displays, smaller automation devices, cameras and sensors, there are limits to the miniaturisation of the RJ45. Thus, a smaller and more robust plug-in connection is the wish of many users and developers, but one that can still produce Cat. 6A performance for 1/10Gbit/s Ethernet at a control level. Combining the Beckhoff XTS system
with the Harting ix Industrial interface has resulted in a solution that benefits from linear and rotational drives. The system works with hardly any maintenance, is of a modular structure, and is ready for use with a minimum of parameterization. In this latest generation, the ix Industrial interface replaces the RJ45 interfaces of the computer cards. A clever and space- saving design permits this interface to accommodate 24 ports, rather than 12, in the same space. The eXtended Transport System (XTS)
by automation specialist Beckhoff from Verl combines the advantages of linear and rotational drives, thus offering a compact solution for innovative machine concepts. The key aspect of this design is that customary drive components trade places. While electrically connected movers usually travel on static magnetic rails in most linear drives, the XTS system works the other way round. Its three main components are a static linear motor, a guide rail that is parallel to it, and the passive mover itself. This concept allows the XTS system to travel in circles. Being independent passive carriages that need no data or power supplied by drag chains or sliding contacts, the movers are able to travel along straight as well as curved routes. This enables the creation of closed loops that bring much greater efficiency. While linear systems will usually feature a forward run and return journey,
movers can reduce empty runs in a loop, markedly boosting the system's effectiveness.
THREE MAIN COMPONENTS The XTS motor combines both power electronics and routing, where magnetic coils are activated in a controlled manner to set a passive mover in motion through a double air gap. The motor can accelerate the movers to speeds of up to 4m per second, with precise positioning. Regardless of whether the route is straight or curved. The motor modules are always
combined with matching guide rails to give the correct guidance. Depending on the application, carriages can either be moved on the inside or outside radiuses. The mover is the third component and
features the magnetic plates required to generate the propelling force in combination with the motor module. A clever geometry and opposing magnetic field exciters ensure that the bearing is exposed to hardly any propelling forces, even in heavy-duty applications. This will
Figure 2: Beckhoff XTS
Figure 1:
Harting ix industrial connector
not only preserve the bearing, but also save operating power for the application. While conventional transport systems
rely on many bearings, chain drives, conveyor belts, trailing cables or sliding contacts requiring regular maintenance, the XTS works with a minimum of mechanically moved parts.
DOUBLE THE PORTS While the movers are travelling and following their scheduled movement pattern, i.e. unlocking, clamping, releasing, braking, etc., a computer constantly needs to calculate the switching and energisation of the responsible motor modules. The XTS allows three computer cards to be combined for this altogether, which used to feature four RJ45 sockets each in the past as ports. Every port usually serves to control a motor module length of 1.5m. But even while user requirements are constantly mounting where the size and complexity of planned transport tasks are concerned, the compact dimensions of individual components should still be maintained. What this enables in the big picture is
the accommodation of 8 ports on the same circuit board, rather than 4, and provision of 2 EtherCAT channels per port instead of 1. Projected onto three circuit boards, you end up with 24 ports on the bottom line, supplying 48 EtherCAT lines instead of the former 12! And thus the possibility of realising driving distances measuring up to 100m. This highlights the tremendous potential of miniaturised and high- performing Ethernet interfaces for IIoT and I4.0 applications. Especially because automation components are shrinking in general, but expected to become ever more efficient and powerful at the same time. Harting provides Beckhoff with its ix Industrial interface for this, and Beckhoff its clients with an innovative transport system that redefines the possibilities of linear systems from the ground up.
Harting
www.harting.com
/ ELECTRONICS ELECTRONICS | JULY/AUGUST 2020 11
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