Beckhoff: TwinCAT 3 (TF6xxx Series)
TwinCAT 3 | eXtended Automation (XA)
Beckhoff created a global standard for automation with the launch of PC-based control technology in 1986. On the software side, the TwinCAT (The Windows Control and Automation Technology) automation suite forms the core of the control system. The TwinCAT software system turns almost any PC-based system into a real-time control with multiple PLC, NC, CNC and/or robotics runtime systems. TwinCAT 3 is the systematic further development of TwinCAT 2, with which the world of automation technology is being redefined.
only one software for programming and configuration
Visual Studio® integration
more freedom in selecting programming languages
support for the object-oriented extension of IEC 61131-3
use of C/C++ as the programming language for real time applications
link to MATLAB®/Simulink®
open interfaces for expandability and adaptation to the tools landscape
flexible runtime environment
active support of multi-core and 64-bit systems
migration of TwinCAT 2 projects
automatic code generation and project implementation with the TwinCAT Automation Interface
eXtended Automation Technology – TwinCAT 3 extends the standard automation world.
eXtended Automation Architecture
supports all main fieldbuses
supports IEC 61131, C/C++, MATLAB®/Simulink®
supports Motion Control: from point-to-point to CNC
supports TwinSAFE configuration
supports Scientific Automation: robotics, measurement technology, Condition Monitoring
eXtended Automation Engineering
one tool – Microsoft Visual Studio®
integrated: IEC 61131 – worldwide standard in automation
integrated: C/C++ – worldwide standard in IT
integrated: TwinCAT System Manager – well-known configuration tool
link to MATLAB®/Simulink®: worldwide standard in science
expandable with other tools: editors, compilers
TwinCAT 2 projects can be migrated.
TwinCAT 3 modules: standardized programming frames
using the .NET programming languages for non-real-time capable applications (e.g. HMI)
eXtended Automation Runtime
IEC 61131, C/C++, MATLAB®/Simulink® objects in one runtime
integrated TwinSAFE runtime
extended real-time-functionality: min. 50 ìs cycle time and low jitter
enhanced performance: support of multi-core CPUs
future-proof: supports 64-bit operating systems
Beckhoff: TF6xxx | TC3 Connectivity
TwinCAT 3 is divided into components. The TwinCAT 3 engineering components enable the configuration, programming and debugging of applications. The TwinCAT 3 runtime consists of further components – basic components and functions. The basic components can be extended by functions.
TF6000 | TC3 ADS Communication
TwinCAT ADS Communication is useful for the organization of data exchange between TwinCAT 3 and Windows programs and includes:
search for variables
access by variable name
timing synchronization with the operating system
adaptation of different data types
generation of data blocks and lists
guarantee of data consistency for access with the synchronous/asynchronous and cyclical/on-change access methods
OPC Unified Architecture offers secure, reliable and manufacturer-neutral transport of raw data and pre-processed information from the manufacturing level into the production planning or ERP system. With OPC UA, all desired information is available to every authorized application and every authorized person at any time and in any place.
certified in the OPC Laboratory, Europe
functions: DataAccess/HistoricalAccess/Alarm&Condition
PLC blocks for diagnosis and restart
intermediate storage of data on the server: interruption of the communication connection does not lead to loss of data
configurator for simple handling and diagnostics of local/remote OPC UA servers
wrapper technology for an OPC DA (Data Access) interface according to OPC UA
high-performance OPC DA access
aggregation of TwinCAT OPC UA servers
OPC is the standard for supplier-independent communication in automation technology. OPC DA (Data Access) is based on the Microsoft COM/DCOM standard.
specifications OPC-DA2x and OPC-XML-DA
configurator for the set-up
demo DA client for diagnostic purposes and the loading of recipes
The TF6120 product can be replaced by the new software component "TwinCAT OPC UA Gateway" of the TF6100 product.
TF6220 | TC3 EtherCAT Redundancy 250
TwinCAT EtherCAT Redundancy 250 extends the TwinCAT EtherCAT Master by the possibility to implement cable redundancy for up to 250 EtherCAT devices: from the last logical device a cable is returned back to the master. Configuration and diagnostics take place in the TwinCAT 3 engineering environment.
TF6221 | TC3 EtherCAT Redundancy 250+
TwinCAT EtherCAT Redundancy 250+ extends the TwinCAT EtherCAT Master by the possibility to implement cable redundancy for more than 250 EtherCAT devices: from the last logical device a cable is returned back to the master. Configuration and diagnosis take place in the TwinCAT 3 engineering environment
TF6225 | TC3 EtherCAT External Sync
TC3 EtherCAT External Sync extends the TwinCAT EtherCAT master with an option to synchronize the Beckhoff real-time communication with external digital signals. The digital signals are read via terminals supporting timestamping, such as the EL1252 EtherCAT Terminal.
TwinCAT Modbus acts as gateway between Modbus TCP devices and TwinCAT runtime systems. It provides both server and client functionalities. In server mode the memory areas of several TwinCAT runtime systems can be mapped directly to the Modbus memory areas. A PLC library is provided for implementing a Modbus TCP client, so that the memory areas of a Modbus TCP device can be accessed.
TwinCAT Modbus RTU implements Modbus RTU communication via a serial RS232, RS422 or RS485 interface and is thus suitable both for the PC/CX interfaces and for operation with the KL6xxx serial Bus Terminals. It contains function blocks for master and slave operating mode with simple configuration.
TF6270 | TC3 PROFINET RT Device
The TwinCAT PROFINET RT Device (slave) is a supplement that turns any PC-based controller with an Intel® chipset and the real-time Ethernet driver developed by Beckhoff into a PROFINET RT device. By installing the function, a standard Ethernet interface becomes a PROFINET slave.
TF6271 | TC3 PROFINET RT Controller
The TwinCAT PROFINET RT Controller (master) is a supplement that turns any PC-based controller with an Intel® chipset and the real-time Ethernet driver developed by Beckhoff into a PROFINET RT controller. By installing the function, a standard Ethernet interface becomes a PROFINET master.
TF6280 | TC3 EtherNet/IP Slave
The TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave is a supplement that turns any PC-based controller with an Intel® chipset and the real-time Ethernet driver developed by Beckhoff into an EtherNet/IP slave. Through this supplement the Ethernet interface becomes an EtherNet/IP slave. The product can be used on all PC controllers and Embedded PC controllers with an Intel® chipset.
A further feature of the supplements is that it enables up to eight slaves to be parameterized using a single physical interface. For this purpose, a virtual MAC address is created in order to be able to operate a total of up to eight EtherNet/IP slaves on one PC via a single Ethernet interface. This feature can be used, for example, to exchange large amounts of data using one EtherNet/IP master or to establish a connection to several EtherNet/IP masters in different subnets.
TF6281 | TC3 EtherNet/IP Master
The TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Master is a supplement that turns any PC-based controller with an Intel® chipset and the real-time Ethernet driver developed by Beckhoff into an EtherNet/IP master. Through this supplement, the Ethernet interface becomes an EtherNet/IP master. The product can be used on all PC controllers and Embedded PC controllers with an Intel® chipset.
The process data is configured using TwinCAT 3 allowing various process data and various sizes. The supplement supports both multicast and unicast connections. Up to 16 simple EtherNet/IP-Slave devices can be connected via one generic node.
TwinCAT FTP enables easy access from the PLC to one or several FTP servers with the aid of various function blocks. Files can be loaded to or from a server after the establishment of a connection (optional with authentication). Additional function blocks allow files or directories to be searched for, created, deleted and renamed.
TwinCAT TCP/IP enables the implementation and realization of one or several TCP/IP servers and/or TCP/IP clients within the TwinCAT 3 PLC. Corresponding blocks exist for the establishment/disconnection of communication as well as for the pure exchange of data (send and receive). The function blocks also support the use of multicast addresses.
TF6311 | TC3 TCP/UDP Realtime
TwinCAT 3 already offers an option to access the network card of the operating system (TF6310) from the PLC via the user mode. As an enhancement, TC3 TCP/UDP Realtime (TF6311) now enables fast and convenient access from the real-time directly to the network card. The TwinCAT 3 network card driver handles the access via a dedicated stack. The implementation facilitates cooperative use of the network card by the operating system. TF6311 provides both server and client functionality, so that the TCP/IP, UDP/IP and Ping/ARP protocols can be implemented.
Unlike the TF6310 function modules, TF6311 is realized as a TcCOM (TwinCAT Component Object Model) module and directly implements the TwinCAT 3 philosophy: modules encapsulate functionality and can be used without knowledge of the internal workings. In addition, this approach enables seamless integration of the module in the two PLC and C++ programming environments. Examples of client and server applications in different protocols illustrate the use of the TcCOM module, making implementation of an application efficient and easy.
TF6340 | TC3 Serial Communication
TwinCAT Serial Communication implements communication with serial devices such as printers, bar code scanners, etc. The serial interface of the PC and the serial Beckhoff EL6xxx EtherCAT Terminals and KL6xxx Bus Terminals are supported.
TwinCAT SMS/SMTP enables the transmission of SMS messages or e-mails using PLC function blocks. The latter also allows the transmission of file attachments, HTML texts and the setting of message priorities. Support for STARTTLS/SSL enables encrypted e-mail communication to be configured.
TF6360 | TC3 Virtual Serial COM
TwinCAT Virtual Serial COM allows the EL60xx EtherCAT Terminals or EP6002 EtherCAT Box modules to be integrated into Windows CE or Windows XP as normal serial interfaces. The computer on which a serial interface is to be generated for it is defined individually for each EL60xx/EP6002. Access to the device connected to the terminal takes place via Windows API for serial interfaces.
TF6420 | TC3 Database Server
TwinCAT Database Server enables the exchange of data between databases and the TwinCAT system. PLC variables or direct values of the EtherCAT I/Os can be logged cyclically when changes occur or event-controlled by means of PLC function blocks.
Additionally available from the 2nd quarter of 2016:
A new TwinCAT 3 PLC library for the Database Server that utilizes the object-oriented extensions of the IEC 61131-3. As a result, the program code is more structured and much simpler to extend. The performance of command processing is also considerably higher. Furthermore, a C++ interface is implemented for the Database Server. This allows the user to communicate with the database server not just from the PLC, but also directly from a C++ application.
The TwinCAT XML Server provides a PLC library enabling write/read access for XML data. The user-friendly XML Server facilitates e.g. the loading of initialization data, which is often required at machine startup.
TF6500 | TC3 IEC 60870-5-10x
TwinCAT IEC-60870-5-10x enables communication according to the IEC standard 60870-5-10x from the PLC. Both server and client operating modes are possible.
PLC library for the realization of masters
IEC 60870-5-101
IEC 60870-5-102
IEC 60870-5-103
IEC 60870-5-104
PLC library for the realization of slaves for
IEC 60870-5-101
IEC 60870-5-104
TF6510 | TC3 IEC 61850/IEC 61400-25
For the standard-compliant communication between client and server, corresponding servers can be released directly in the TwinCAT PLC with IEC 61850/IEC 61400-25 Telecontrol in TwinCAT 3. IEC 61850 provides data models for substation communication. IEC 61400-25 is based on IEC 61850 and offers specific extensions of the data model for wind farm communication. The respective server is configured using the TwinCAT telecontrol configurator. This decouples the configuration work from the programming work in the PLC and generates the corresponding PLC code. The PLC code can be imported into new or existing PLC projects.
TF6600 | TC3 RFID Reader Communication
RFID Reader Communication allows various RFID readers to be addressed via a serial interface. The new TwinCAT RFID reader library offers a general abstract interface that can be used for all readers. The configuration can easily be adapted to a specific reader.
TF6610 | TC3 S5/S7 Communication
TwinCAT S5/S7 Communication allows the simple connection of TwinCAT to an S5 or S7 controller. The data blocks, flags, inputs, outputs, counters and timers of an S5 or S7 controller can be accessed using function blocks. The communication takes place using TCP/IP.
TF6650 | TC3 DBC File Import for CAN
The TF6650 TwinCAT 3 Function enables the reading of DBC file formats (.dbc). The DBC data format is a CAN network description and allows the definition of attributes as well as the assignment of these attributes to the elements of a network. DBC files are text files that contain e.g. scaling information for CAN data and signal definitions. The TF6650 Function can be used for data import and preprocessing according to the parameters that are stored in the DBC file. As an additional function, network nodes can also be simulated according to the DBC files. The function uses the EL6751 CANopen master terminal as hardware interface.
TF6701 | TC3 IoT Communication (MQTT)
TC3 IoT Communication provides basic functionalities for sending and receiving data via the so-called MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol in the form of PLC libraries.
By enabling the transmission and receipt of publisher/subscriber-based MQTT messages directly from the controller, this function makes easy data communication between diverse devices possible. MQTT is an open, standardized communication protocol that is becoming increasingly popular for fast and efficient data transmission applications due to its low overhead. Many IT providers, but particularly those in the cloud computing field, provide access to their services via this protocol.
TF6720 | TC3 IoT Data Agent
The TC3 IoT Data Agent provides IoT communication functions in the form of a gateway application that can be configured and operated independently from the TwinCAT real-time environment.
The data agent picks up configured process data and transmits it to a specific communication or data service in the Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services™ (AWS) cloud, or it sends the process data to an MQTT or AMQP message broker. To pick up the process data, both TwinCAT ADS and the OPC UA IEC standard with their security mechanisms are available. This ensures data protection down to the controller or the respective end device.
To reduce the amount of traffic and associated costs, the data agent supports advanced sampling mechanisms, such as on-data-change transmissions.
If the connection is broken, buffering algorithms are available to prevent the loss of data. The entire parameterisation of the data agent can be done via an XML-based file that is supported by a graphical editor in Visual Studio®. This makes it easy to use and reduces set-up times when commissioning the system.
TF6730 | TC3 IoT Communicator
The TC3 IoT Communicator makes it possible to easily transmit process data to multiple end devices, monitor status changes, and send information back to the machine.
The TC3 IoT Communicator connects the TwinCAT controller to a messaging service, making it easy to set it up within the TwinCAT engineering environment to send and receive push messages between the PLC and mobile operating systems. Since TwinCAT registers each end device with a unique ID, messages can be transmitted to specific people and/or controllers. A flag within the message indicates whether messages and status data is buffered in the messaging service and available on demand.
Since the TC3 IoT Communicator is based on the publish-subscribe pattern, it does not require any special firewall settings but can be easily integrated into an existing IT network. To receive, send and display such messages, apps can be downloaded from the app stores free of charge.
TF6735 | TC3 IoT Communicator App
The TC3 IoT Communicator App provides a simple solution for monitoring and analyzing TwinCAT process data on mobile end devices. To receive, send and display selected TwinCAT messages, apps can be downloaded from the app stores free of charge.
An Internet connection of the mobile end device, the TwinCAT runtime environment and the TF6730 TwinCAT 3 function are required.
The TC3 IoT Communicator App communicates with the TwinCAT controller via a predefined messaging service in the cloud. Alternatively, a link to a private service can be set up.
Model No.: TF6000-00pp, TF6100-00pp, TF6120-00pp, TF6220-00pp, TF6221-00pp, TF6225-00pp, TF6250-00pp, TF6255-00pp, TF6270-00pp, TF6271-00pp, TF6280-00pp, TF6281-00pp, TF6300-00pp, TF6310-00pp, TF6311-00pp, TF6340-00pp, TF6350-00pp, TF6360-00pp, TF6420-00pp, TF6421-00pp, TF6500-00pp, TF6510-00pp, TF6600-00pp, TF6610-00pp, TF6650-00pp, TF6701-00pp, TF6720-00pp, TF6730-00pp, TF6735