Ten Features of Beckhoff Hardware and TwinCAT software

[fidelnjo]

I would like to interface a Beckhoff PLC using LabWindows/CVI.

How could I do this? LabWindows/CVI uses C as a programming language.

[arj3090]

@fidelnjo You will need the Beckhoff ADS Communication Library which has DLL, ActiveX, and .NET components for communicating with TwinCAT. It is a free download and Beckhoff support will give you a free license key.

[nickfenlon]

Hi Archie. Great video.

Would you consider doing a video outlining the differences between the various TwinCAT components (TwinCAT PLC, TwinCAT NC PTP, TwinCAT CNC, etc.)

I would be great to get a concise breakdown of the roles of each package.

Thanks

[lissandrobassani]

Hi

I am looking for information on how to use the free base driver part of the TwinCAT system to build my own EtherCAT master. I´ve made already an example program with TwinCAT I/O, but this already has a realtime scheduler and master that will hook on my callback functions to interact with the remote I/Os as an example. But There is the free driver (item 7, right?). I still haven´t found concise and definitive information on how to do it, maybe you can give some starting points? Thanks

[doomcomet]

And I have to add that your VB HMI is active in some of the plants and doing great as far as performance..

Thanks again,

Doomcomet

[arj3090]

Thanks for the feedback! It's always good to hear others are getting some good use from the software. I liked seeing your video. I don't get to see too many of the application created with AdvancedHMI. Is that a TwinCAT control system?

[doomcomet]

Your video always been excellent ..Ive worked for aerospace and pharmaceutical company and I have not seen anyone close to your caliber. You should start your own line of HMI thats cheaper than Wonderware and PLC plug and play that even the six grader can do it. That will break the monopoly of Allen bradley , Simatics , Mitsubishi etc....Good job we are graetful for all the things your doing for the advancement of Industrial controls.

[eduardollama]

Hello Archie,

Your video is very interesting. Can you please inform me where can I get the DF1 FB you mentioned? Is it in the TwinCAT Llibraries?

Can it be used to communicate with SLC, Micrologix and PLC5?

Thanks a lot,

Eduardo.

[efmsk]

Archie,

I need to know about the EtherCAT.

Secondly the difference in RT Ethernat and EtherCAT.

Regards,

[WarrenDeWit]

RT Ethernet is basically Ethernet with Real Time capabilities. Standard Ethernet rules still apply such as addressing(Manual). EtherCAT is extremely high speed. No addressing needed as each slave for EtherCAT has its own Asic to handle all EtherCAT comms and automatic addressing. Also EtherCAT runs as your field comms and your bus comms where as RT Ethernet just talks to a slave and the slave converts the Ethernet comm to the PLC bus. Diagnostics is also amazing in EtherCAT.

[90210nettogrisen]

Archie, does this mean that you can program Beckhoff with C++, C# or VB?

[arj3090]

You can create a program using those languages and lauch it with a TwinCAT program.

Also there is a not very well documented feature that allows you to write function blocks for TwinCAT in C++. You can find some vague details about it on the 3s software web site.

[WarrenDeWit]

I am suspecting you want to display hardware working and also operate this hardware. This can all be done. Below are samples and info. However using these programs to operate the K-bus comms i would not suggest. The easiest way is to simply write the Global variables in TwinCAT and use C++, C# or VB to activate and monitor those variables via DLL or OCX. TwinCAT is free and you can install TwinCAT CP for free. All drivers would be automatically installed on any PC you desire without any cost.

[WarrenDeWit]

Some reason i cannot attach the site!! ???

[WarrenDeWit]

What you can do is speak to Beckhoff and ask them to supply you the Beckhoff DVD. All the info is in the infosys under TwinCAT/System/Connectivity. All samples and info...Very simple to follow and very easy to duplicate.

[Schnitz1]

@90210nettogrisen

TwinCAT comes with a DLL-file you can use in Visual Studio to interact with the PLC program via ADS communication.