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COVER STORY
line protection for outgoing lines. This facilitates project planning and significantly reduces the number of components. These advantages are evident in the fact that the number of pages in circuit diagrams and parts lists is reduced by up to 80 per cent. Even in the engineering phase, the low installation space requirement of the MX-System creates further advantages because this facilitates simpler coordination between departments, as there is usually no need to design special installation spaces and brackets for the MX- System. Another important aspect is that the MX-System meets the requirements of relevant control cabinet standards and, in contrast to conventional control cabinets, it is also IEC, UL and CSA-compliant, making it a globally standardised solution.
ADVANTAGES FOR AUTOMATION SYSTEM SETUP The principle of plugging function modules onto a baseplate and fastening them with screws not only revolutionises control cabinet design but also completely replaces it in the form known today. Mechanical assembly of the control cabinet and its mounting plate are eliminated, as is time-consuming manual wiring. As a consequence, an MX-System can be set up within just one hour, including the necessary
tests and checks. For a comparable control cabinet, the total setup time would be at least 24 hours. As a result, the MX-System also addresses the shortage of skilled workers, as it takes individual employees significantly less time to complete a given task. In addition, wiring errors no longer occur. From a logistical point of view, there are also clear advantages for control cabinet design, as the complete elimination of mechanical work steps means that assembly requires considerably less space. Processes such as external control cabinet design can be completely dispensed with.
ADVANTAGES IN MACHINE INSTALLATION The MX-System can be integrated visually and functionally into the machine installation space due to its considerable compactness in contrast to conventional solutions. This reduces the machine footprint many times over. Modular machine concepts can be realised very easily due to the possibility of cascading MX-System installations. In addition, there are significantly shorter cable runs to the sensor or actuator level. The use of pre- assembled cables shortens the installation time and provides a high level of protection against errors during cable connection. Connections do not have to be completed by
specially trained electricians due to the simple pluggability of the modules.
ADVANTAGES FOR THE MACHINE END USER For the machine end user, there are clear advantages in terms of service and maintenance: the MX-System consists of EtherCAT components that are networked throughout, so comprehensive system diagnostics are possible at any time. In addition to classic status LEDs, each function module has a unique serial number in the form of a DataMatrix code. This code can be scanned via a smartphone app, which connects the smartphone to the control in order to retrieve diagnostic data on the corresponding function module. Module exchange is also very easy, since the modules are hot-swappable and can be plugged in and unplugged during operation. Just like the manufacturer of the machine, operators also benefit from the fact that the modular MX-System covers the complete variety of automation technology with considerably fewer parts and therefore fewer assemblies to stock as spares. Through their simple basic principle, MX-System modules can also be reused very easily beyond the life cycle of the machine.
Beckhoff Automation
www.beckhoff.com/en-gb/ 01491 410539
FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | JULY/AUGUST 2023 7
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