Products
TExxxx | TwinCAT 3 Engineering
The TwinCAT 3 engineering components enable the configuration, programming and debugging of applications.
TFxxxx | TwinCAT 3 Functions
The basic components can be extended by TwinCAT 3 functions. The functions are classified into various categories. e.g. motion control, measurement technology, control technology and communication.
TwinCAT 3 | Build 4026
More flexibility in automation development through modularity and extensions
TwinCAT 3 | Platform levels
The TwinCAT 3 runtime components are available for different platform levels. The platform levels correspond to the various TwinCAT 3 platform levels of the Beckhoff PCs.
TwinCAT 3 | Licensing
TwinCAT 3.1 offers the option of using a TwinCAT 3 license key (license dongle) for licensing.
TXxxxx | TwinCAT 2 Base
TwinCAT 2 Base consists of runtime systems for the real-time execution of control programs and development environments for programming, configuration and diagnostics.
TSxxxx | TwinCAT 2 Supplements
The TwinCAT 2 Supplements can be used for the individual addition of functions to the TwinCAT 2 Base components.
The world of TwinCAT: Open, PC-based control technology
When Beckhoff launched its PC-based control technology, it created a global standard for automation. In terms of software, the core of the control system has taken the form of The Windows Control and Automation Technology – or TwinCAT – automation suite since 1996. In combination with TwinCAT, the Beckhoff portfolio results in optimally coordinated automation concepts that fulfill the basic principles of an open and highly scalable control system.
TwinCAT transforms almost any PC-based system into a real-time control complete with multiple PLC, NC, CNC, and/or robotics runtime systems. The possibility of modular extensions means functional changes and additions can be made at any time. If required, the openness of the control system allows not only the integration of third-party components, but also customized retrofit solutions for existing machines and systems. This ensures flexibility and investment protection for the customer.
TwinCAT has been shaping the world of automation since 1996, with TwinCAT 3 now already in its third generation.
Free choice of CPU, long-term support of several relevant operating systems, open interfaces – including to third-party tools – and support of all common fieldbus systems.
Comprehensive diagnostics on factors including temperature and hard disk condition at any time.
TwinCAT – the control software that optimally corresponds to the high-performance EtherCAT fieldbus developed by Beckhoff.
As a specialist in PC-based control, Beckhoff keeps its development expertise within the company itself.
With TwinCAT 3, the latest version of the software, the Beckhoff portfolio results in optimally coordinated automation concepts that fulfill the basic principles of an open and highly scalable control system.
TwinCAT 3 follows on logically from TwinCAT 2 as the latest development in the series, which is already redefining the world of automation technology as we know it. The way the complete control intelligence is implemented on a single software platform, divided into engineering and runtime, still represents the basis of the system.
What’s more, both engineering and runtime can be flexibly extended by application-specific software modules, known as Functions, so that the TwinCAT system can be perfectly adapted to suit individual requirements.
Engineering
TwinCAT XAE (eXtended Automation Engineering) allows hardware to be programmed and configured in a single engineering tool. In addition to the IEC 61131-3 programming languages, C/C++ and MATLAB®/Simulink® are also available for programming. The tool even offers integrated debugging options for the program code and diagnostic functionalities for the control hardware. Functions are available to flexibly extend the basic engineering to include additional functionalities such as a software oscilloscope.
Runtime
TwinCAT XAR (eXtended Automation Runtime) is a real-time-capable runtime in which the program code can be executed to control the field level of the machine. The modular architecture makes it possible to install and load extensions on an application-specific basis in the form of functions. In addition to the actual real time, which is executed independently of the operating system, an operating system always runs on the PC-based controls, which also enables other programs to be executed. This means the control platform can also be used for tasks such as visualizing or executing customer-specific software.
TwinCAT 3 Functions
TwinCAT is a modular system that can be put together on a project-specific basis to suit individual requirements. In addition to the actual engineering and control system itself, this modularity is mapped via over 100 Functions, which are assigned to different subject areas.
The TwinCAT Functions extend the basic system in areas such as motion and safety individually depending on the application. Measurement or, for example, a TwinCAT HMI-based user interface are modules that interact seamlessly with the actual machine control via a uniform interface. When it comes to supporting additional communication protocols such as OPC UA, users can simply install the corresponding module at a later stage as required. Even the latest Functions, such as those from the fields of machine learning or vision, can be retrofitted to existing systems in the same way.
TwinCAT 3 System: One of the great advantages of TwinCAT 3 is the wide range of extension options with TwinCAT 3 Functions. The Functions from the ‘System’ area extend the basic components with important properties.
TwinCAT 3 HMI enables the development of platform-independent user interfaces based on current web technologies (HTML5, JavaScript/TypeScript). These act responsively and automatically adapt to the resolution, size, and orientation. The engineering of the TwinCAT HMI integrates into the familiar TwinCAT development environment and offers a graphical What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) editor.
TwinCAT 3 Measurement: TwinCAT 3 is more than just an automation software – it’s also a measurement software. The Measurement Functions extend TwinCAT 3 with additional measurement technology functions, providing support for machine commissioning, machine monitoring, documentation of processes, and the presentation of both measurement and analysis results.
TwinCAT 3 Controller: Control technology tasks can also be handled with ease using products in the TwinCAT 3 modular system. In addition, a product for voice input and output is available in the form of the TF4500.
TwinCAT 3 Motion Control includes scalable software packages for motion control. It includes modules ranging from a simple PTP (point-to-point) application to robotics and sophisticated CNC applications. An abstraction layer to the hardware enables exceptionally flexible control of a wide range of drive devices.
TwinCAT 3 Connectivity: One of the great advantages of TwinCAT 3 is the wide range of options for interaction and communication with other systems. Numerous Functions are available for addressing different communication scenarios and implementing protocol functions.
TwinCAT 3 Vision offers an open and scalable image processing solution that is fully integrated into the universal TwinCAT 3 automation platform. As the configuration of the cameras and the programming of the image analysis take place in the familiar TwinCAT environment, the engineering is simplified.
TwinCAT 3 Industry-specific: TwinCAT is a universally applicable control technology for a correspondingly wide range of applications. Nevertheless, it also covers specific requirements that are indispensable for particular industries – for example, through precisely tailored extensions for industry-specific tasks, known as TwinCAT Functions.
In addition to the basic principle of simplification, which applies to TwinCAT 3 from the engineering process and runtime to transparent cost representation, the automation software also offers a whole host of other outstanding features:
Reduced engineering effort: TwinCAT 3 integrates all engineering components into Microsoft Visual Studio®. From PLC programming to visualization and data analysis, everything takes place in an integrated environment. This offers further user benefits by helping to keep training and familiarization costs low. The connection to source code management systems such as Git allows people to work on TwinCAT projects in a team, which makes it easy to manage anything from individual changes through to entire versions. What’s more, modern agile development approaches can be implemented thanks to the ability to incorporate continuous integration and continuous delivery into the engineering workflow.
Maximum flexibility: TwinCAT 3 enables hardware-independent development of the application: from small, ARM-based controls to many-core CPUs. When it comes to programming the real-time control software, a flexible choice can be made between the IEC 61131-3 programming languages, C++, and MATLAB®/Simulink®.
Efficient project planning: The modular architecture of TwinCAT facilitates the reuse and maintenance of software components. Reusable structured program code can be generated on the basis of object-oriented programming. Communication between modules is also easy to implement via a standardized data exchange, so that the modules can be flexibly combined with each other in the IEC 61131-3 programming languages, C++, or MATLAB®/Simulink®.
Free choice of interfaces: TwinCAT 3 provides a wide range of interfaces, which facilitates a connection to the IT world from databases to cloud systems via OPC UA and other protocols. The existing protocols can be extended with customer-specific adaptations. Beckhoff also supports all common fieldbus systems, which allows it to react flexibly to requirements in the fieldbus area.
Fair pricing: TwinCAT 3 Engineering is available free of charge with basic functionality. The TwinCAT Runtime environment used to execute the control code can also be trialed on a renewable 7-day license. For permanent operation, a license model applies depending on the performance of the hardware used. In terms of support, this is available free of charge to all customers worldwide.
Sound investment: TwinCAT 3 has been available on the market since 2010, and the software is constantly being further developed with innovative technologies such as image processing and machine learning. Projects created in the previous version can still be migrated today using a converter. This ensures that the expertise from older projects can continue to be exploited in new versions and expanded with the latest functionalities.