The MX-System from Beckhoff is a flexible, space-optimized and intelligent system solution that can completely replace conventional control cabinets, thereby opening up entirely new possibilities in plant automation. As a modular control cabinet replacement that can also be decentralized on the machine if required, the MX-System saves engineering, assembly, installation as well as maintenance effort. This enables highly efficient processes for the manufacturers and operators of machines and systems – from the planning, setup and installation of the MX-System through to the maintenance of MX-System-equipped machines.
The basic concept of the MX-System is to standardize the electrical and mechanical interfaces for all electronic and electromechanical components. Implementing this idea results in two interfaces:
The data interface integrates each functional unit into an EtherCAT network and supplies it simultaneously with 24 V DC and, if necessary, also with 48 V DC.
A second interface has been defined as standard for the low-voltage range. These interfaces distribute the mains voltage of up to 530 V AC and a DC voltage of up to 848 V for the drive system.
This standardization allows all functionality traditionally found in a control cabinet to be mapped as a backplane system. Analogous to the interfaces, there are two different backplane types, which have the described interfaces in the form of connectors as essential features. The backplanes feature robust aluminum housings. The combination of backplane and housing is called a baseplate. In addition, there is a full range of function modules from the areas of IPCs, bus couplers, I/O, motion, relays and system power supply. These are simply plugged and screwed onto the baseplate. The combination of a baseplate and function modules results in an IP67-protected automation system that is optimized in terms of space utilization and can be mounted directly on the machine.