Beckhoff at Light + Building 2026: Hall 11.0, Booth C56

Building automation that spans systems

At Light + Building 2026 from March 8 to 13, Beckhoff will be demonstrating PC-based control as a universal lever for sustainable building automation. Visitors will be able to see firsthand how integrating all systems on an open platform – from HVAC control and lighting management to charging infrastructure – can cut engineering costs and energy consumption. Scalable control concepts with TwinCAT 3 Building Automation and EtherCAT-based networking offer maximum transparency and future-proofing for smart buildings.

The demands placed on modern buildings in terms of energy efficiency, flexibility, and digitalization are constantly increasing. Beckhoff provides a helping hand with an open control architecture that breaks down the traditional boundaries between systems. A central element of the Beckhoff booth at Light + Building 2026 in Frankfurt is the TwinCAT 3 Building Automation software solution (TF8040), which integrates all building functions on one platform. Predefined templates for typical applications such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and shading greatly reduce the engineering workload. At the same time, TwinCAT HMI enables modern visualization of operating and monitoring functions.

When it comes to lighting control, Beckhoff relies on the “configuration instead of programming” principle. The TwinCAT 3 Lighting Solution (TF8050) in combination with the EL6821 DALI interface enables comprehensive lighting management with scalable support for up to 200 lighting groups and 30 scenes. The interface integrates up to 64 DALI control gears (ballasts) and 64 control devices in one compact terminal. This allows for flexible topologies with distributed I/O stations as well as simple diagnostics, including operating-hour counting for the light sources.

Further exhibition highlights

With the MX-System, Beckhoff will be showcasing a pioneering solution for distributed automation of technical building systems, for example in technical rooms. This modular pluggable system in a robust metal housing unit replaces the conventional control cabinet. This not only saves space, but also significantly simplifies installation and maintenance.

The new Next multi-touch panel generation will also be on display at the exhibition as a future-proof platform for building management. This cost-optimized device family offers display sizes ranging from 7 to 24 inches and includes control panels and panel PCs. The latter combine high performance with intuitive operation and state-of-the-art touch technology thanks to powerful Intel Atom^® or Arm^® CPUs.

With the ED series, Beckhoff will be presenting a smart upgrade for its range of EtherCAT Terminals. The new models are fully mechanically compatible with the established EL series and feature tool-free installation with push-in technology, which significantly reduces installation times in building technology. Integrated diagnostics provide crucial added value for facility management: status information can be accessed directly via an app using a DataMatrix code and Bluetooth^® dongle.