At PACK EXPO 2023 next month, Beckhoff Automation LLC said it plans to will show automation innovations to packaging market leaders. The company said it will show its new Beckhoff Vision portfolio, its updated automation software, and linear motion and motion-control systems.
“With increasing demands across the industry to deliver on digital transformation, sustainability, customization, AI, and more, it is imperative to find automation partners that can help you cover all these bases,” said Mark Ruberg, packaging industry manager at Beckhoff, in a release.
“From our complete Vision solution to proven mechatronics for adaptive automation, we’re showing the path forward at PACK EXPO Las Vegas,” he said. “Our goal is simple: to help you redefine what’s possible in packaging.”
Beckhoff Automation said its engineers create advanced control, communication, Internet of Things (IoT), and motion technologies to address unique challenges around digital transformation. The company, whose U.S. headquarters are in Savage, Minn., said visitors to Booth SL-6335 in the Las Vegas Convention Center “can discover the revolutionary solutions they need to succeed in packaging, food and beverage processing, pharma, and beyond.”
Beckhoff to show Vision portfolio, updated software
The Beckhoff Vision portfolio will have its U.S. debut at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The company said its new cameras, lighting, and lensing will enable engineers to implement robust image processing directly in a standard PLC (programmable logic controller) environment with paired hardware.
Beckhoff Automation said it has integrated vision deeply into the controls architecture. Along with EtherCAT communication, it “powers real-time reactions and greater data transparency for better quality control, traceability, and more,” the company claimed.
The new equipment also complements the TwinCAT 3 automation software, which covers machine vision and all other areas of automation, added Beckhoff. It will also display the latest updates to TwinCAT 3, including new features in Build 4026.
In addition to expanding machine learning capabilities, Beckhoff will present a technical preview of TwinCAT Chat, which integrates ChatGPT directly into the controls environment. “Now engineers can harness generative AI to automate everything from debugging and adding notes to programming function blocks from scratch,” it asserted.
Beckhoff will provide TwinCAT programming stations so that PACK EXPO visitors can try these features out for themselves.
Motion systems to see at PACK EXPO
Beckhoff Automation also plans to present the latest updates in adaptive automation with its XPlanar “flying motion” system and linear XTS linear transport solution. XTS, which the company said has “revolutionized thousands of machines worldwide,” will return to PACK EXPO in a washdown, IP69K-rated format: XTS Hygienic.
In addition, Beckhoff will again show how its No Cable Technology (NCT) functionality can transform XTS into an expandable multi-robot system.
The company plans to provide another “sneak peek” of its MX-System, which combines a machine-mountable platform for motion control, industrial PCs (IPCs), and EtherCAT I/O. Beckoff said this emerging technology for cabinet-free machine control can reduce machine footprints, simplify system assembly, reduce documentation requirements, and shorten time to market.
“Today, there are infinite opportunities to transform your packaging machines with AI, mechatronics, and cabinet-free solutions,” said Rick Forsgren, packaging industry business development manager at Beckhoff. “Our mission is to help machine builders and end users apply those tools to secure an unbeatable competitive advantage.”
Editor's note: For more about PACK EXPO, visit Robotics 24/7's special coverage page.
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