BECKHOFF CX51x0 - Manual (Page 8)

Product overview
2.2 System overview
The system
The CX51x0 series devices are DIN rail­mountable, fanless Embedded PCs with direct connection for
Beckhoff Bus Terminals or EtherCAT Terminals. In contrast to the other CX device families, the CX51x0
series has a fixed, non­expandable number of system interfaces. The housing design for this series is
optimized for robustness and compactness. No modular expandability for the left­hand side is provided.
Although EtherCAT integration offers a wide range of expansion capability. Further master/slave fieldbus
connections (PROFIBUS, CANopen, DeviceNet) or communication interfaces (RS232, RS422/RS485) and
all other signal types accessible via EtherCAT can be directly connected as EtherCAT Terminals. Two
independent Gigabit Ethernet ports and four USB 2.0 interfaces are available. A Beckhoff Control Panel or a
standard DVI monitor can be connected to the DVI­I interface. A serial port (RS232/RS422/RS485) or a
fieldbus connection with master or slave function can be added as an optional interface as required. An
interchangeable CFast card located behind a flap that is accessible from outside is used as boot and storage
medium. The built­in capacitive 1­second UPS ensures secure backup of persistent application data on the
CFast card. The date and time are buffered via a replaceable battery. The operating system is Microsoft
Windows Embedded Standard 7 Professional. The TwinCAT automation software transforms a
CX51x0system into powerful PLC and Motion Control system that can be operated with or without
visualization.
EtherCAT as a fast I/O system
Like all Embedded PCs from the CX series (except CX100x), the CX51x0 was developed for optimum
interaction with EtherCAT. The primary EtherCAT connection is generally established via terminals. This is
where E­Bus Terminals are attached. In addition, one of the Ethernet interfaces of the CPU module (X001) is
parameterized for EtherCAT operation, and external EtherCAT components can be connected. To achieve
line redundancy, both interfaces can be interconnected as a ring.
EtherCAT offers several options for connecting conventional fieldbus systems to the CX51x0. EtherCAT
devices in terminal form provide several fieldbus masters and slaves, for example the PROFIBUS master as
EtherCAT Terminal EL6731. In practice, this means that the PROFIBUS master can be positioned exactly
where it is required within a machine.
PLC, Motion Control, interpolation and visualization
As a DIN rail IPC and in conjunction with the TwinCAT software from Beckhoff, the CX51x0 offers the same
functionality as large Industrial PCs. In terms of PLC, up to four virtual IEC 61131 CPUs can be programmed
with up to four tasks each, with a minimum cycle time of 50 μs. All IEC 61131­3 languages can be used.
Moreover, all TwinCAT functionalities are available for Motion Control applications:
in theory, up to 256 axes can be controlled and in addition to simple point­to­point movements, more
complex multi­axis functions such as “electronic gearbox”, “cam plates” and “flying saw” can be
implemented.
CX51x0 8 Version 1.0