TwinCAT Remote Synchronization provides function block software library with which users can synchronize several multi-axis machines featuring TwinCAT control systems. With centralized control architecture suitable for handling applications with 60 or more axes of motion, library allows for general time synchronization of information. It also includes techniques for synchronizing NC axes and electronic gearing of axes on separate controllers.

MINNEAPOLIS, December 5, 2006 - In order to help streamline controls design for the most dynamic machine control applications, Beckhoff Automation has announced TwinCAT Remote Synchronization. With this new software library of function blocks, users can more easily synchronize several multi-axis machines that have TwinCAT control systems. This solution is ideal for synchronizing systems that control dozens of axes or only a few. TwinCAT software for PLC and Motion Control is fully functional with any open industrial PC and all Beckhoff Embedded PCs.

While a “centralized control” architecture using one industrial PC and TwinCAT software is suitable for applications with 60 axes of motion or more, there are cases where more than one PC controller is required for multiple machines in a line. The TwinCAT Remote Synchronization Library allows for general time synchronization of information for distributed control to coordinate multiple machines by calculating offsets to compensate for differences in execution time and CPU clock frequencies. In addition, the library includes special techniques for synchronizing NC axes (”distributed axes”) and electronic gearing of axes on separate controllers.