Festo's CoDeSys embedded controller is for use with its CPX
series of multifunctional control terminals. CoDeSys is an IEC 61131-3 compatible programming environment. The controller benefits current users of IEC
61131-3, since they can port over their existing code, libraries, function
blocks, reducing programming time. There
are six programming languages provided by CoDeSys. The new CPX-CEC module
provides machine builders with a way to oversee all the units in a CPX terminal
- regardless of whether they are for pneumatic or electric drives or I/O
functions. Suitable for single and multi-axis applications, the CPX-CEC can
operate autonomously or in conjunction with a host controller, such as a master
PLC, and it can also be used as an intelligent slave in fieldbus-based systems
to provide localized signal pre-processing.
The CPX-CEC embedded controller is
essentially a PLC, but with additional functionality. Based on a 400 MHz low
power consumption 32-bit processor, backed by 64 MB of memory, it features an
Ethernet 10/100 Base-T interface for programming and host controller communications
and uses a backplane bus system to communicate with other modules in the CPX
terminal. The controller has a cycle time of just 1 ms - making it one of the
fastest on the market - and can be supplied configured as a fieldbus slave or
as a CAN master for controlling other CANopen devices, such as electric drives.
It supports all popular fieldbus protocols, including PROFIBUS, PROFINET,
Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, Modbus TCP, CANopen, CC-Link and EtherCAT.
The
CPX-CEC is an embedded solution - all component parts are enclosed within the
module, which carries an IP65/67 rating against dust and water ingress. The
ability to deploy the CPX terminal and its constituent modules in the same
environment as the machine itself - even on the machine if required - provides
system designers with a flexible solution for decentralized control.
