Beckhoff control panels: the perfect combination of function and aesthetics on any machine or plant
Beckhoff developed the first Panel PCs for direct machine integration as early as the 1980s, thus opening up the possibility of effectively combining operation and application control in a single device.
This laid the foundation for today’s comprehensive portfolio of Panel PCs, Industrial PCs and Control Panels. The goal of now remains the same as it was then: modern Console technology in a standalone device, combined with the Beckhoff Industrial Computer or with integrated, high-performance PC technology to form a Tablet PC control.
Since the late 1990s, Beckhoff has expanded its product portfolio with a large number of Control Panels. The separation of space between the display/operating unit and the control computer provides maximum flexibility for the user. Thanks to CP-Link (Console Link) technology, distances of up to 100 m between the Console and PC were achievable in 1998. Attractive design, robust and suitable for industrial applications Industry was a key criterion in the development of the Console line, which comes with screen sizes ranging from 5.7 to 24 inches.
The enclosure of the Control Panel is made of solid aluminum and complies with protection class IP 65, which is commonly required in industrial environments. The meticulous development and integration of the electronic components, the display, the touch screen and the front glass panels ensure high operational availability and reliability. Advanced multi-touch technology meets tried and tested enclosure technology and perfectly fine-tuned PC hardware.
Multi-touch technology:
Beckhoff uses exclusively manufactured multipoint sensors to meet the requirements of mechanical stability in harsh industrial environments, precise operation and elegant design. All control boards used are developed and manufactured in-house by Beckhoff. The result is a very robust overall system that offers modern operating comfort even in harsh machine environments.
Shell technology:
As a pioneer in Panel and Panel PC technology, Beckhoff has always primarily used high-quality aluminum as the base material for the housing. Aluminum is characterized by very high mechanical stability, excellent thermal conductivity, high functionality even in EMC critical environments, flexible manufacturing options and last but not least, aesthetics perfect beauty. Therefore, it is the ideal basis for successful products. Furthermore, aluminum also facilitates flexible machining, which means that specific customer projects can be done in smaller quantities.
Perfect connection technology:
The linkage between the Control Panel and the Industrial Computer is a major challenge in the industrial environment. EMC effects, mechanical stress, current carrying capacity, connections with guaranteed long-term availability and flexible cable lengths require deep expertise. Beckhoff has faced these challenges for many years and combines modern cable and connector technology with his experience to form a comprehensive portfolio of interconnect cables:
- DVI and USB Extension Cable
- Data cable for IP 20 and IP 65 . applications
- Power supply cable
- CP-Link 4 Cable – Single-cable Display Link, also suitable for pull chains
- Connection cables for various fieldbus systems
Customer-specific solutions:
As an expert in PC based control technology, Beckhoff has been supplying a wide range of high quality Control Panels for over 20 years. These devices are also available as customer-specific solutions. The range ranges from visual adaptations and icons in the client’s corporate design to individual devices with special buttons, such as emergency stop buttons, scanners or RFID readers, to The housing design is fully customized. In addition to the design, the function of the Control Panel is an important factor: As the central control element, the Control Panel must ensure the perfect operation of the machine or system.
The high availability and reliability of Beckhoff Panel PCs and Panels is based on meticulous, in-house development of electronic components, touch screens and enclosures, and display integration. The devices can be operated in standalone mode, as a DVI/USB Expansion Console or via CP-Link 4.
Thanks to the complex modular principle, push button extensions are available as standard for almost any Multi-Touch Panel of the CP29xx or CP39xx type. This means that adjustments can be made based on customer requirements with no minimum order quantity required. The CP Configurator facilitates the custom selection and arrangement of keys, their function, color, sequence or wire type starting from quantity 1.
The resulting ordering options can be coordinated with the responsible sales representative.
