With MX-System, machine automation without electrical cabinet

Intelligent, flexible and optimised in terms of space: the Beckhoff-designed solution guarantees maximum efficiency for machine manufacturers, producers of electrical cabinets and end-users.

Beckhoff’s MX-System is able to completely replace the conventional electrical cabinet, opening up new plant automation possibilities. As required, it can be decentralised on the machine, allowing for design, assembly, installation and maintenance cost savings.

MX’s basic concept is to standardise the electrical and mechanical interfaces for all electronic and electromagnetic components. The implementation of this idea results in two interfaces: the data interface, which integrates every functional unit in an EtherCAT network, supplying it at the same time with 24 V CC and, if necessary, also with 48 V CC; and a standard interface for the low voltage range.

Integrable and compact

MX-System can be integrated into the installation space of the machine thanks to its considerable compactness compared to conventional solutions. In this way, the space taken up by the machine is significantly reduced. In addition, the use of preassembled cables reduces implementation times and offers a high level of protection against errors in the connection of cables. The connections need not be carried out by specially trained electricians, thanks to the simple plug-in of the modules.

Advantages for the final user

MX is composed of EtherCAT components connected in the network, for which a complete diagnostic of the system is possible at any time. Besides the classic status LED, every module has a unique series number in the form of a DataMatrix code which can be scanned with a smartphone app linking the mobile device to the control panel to recover diagnostic data on the corresponding operating module. The replacement of the modules is very simple, as they are hot-swappable and can be inserted/extracted during operation. Thanks to their inherent simplicity, the MX modules can be reused with extreme ease also after the machine’s life-cycle.