Beckhoff

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Beckhoff Automation GmbH
Type GmbH (limited liability company)
Industry Automation technology
Founded 1980 in Verl, Germany
Headquarters Verl, Westphalia, Germany
Products Industrial PCs
Fieldbus components
Automation software
Drive technology
Revenue 408 Mio. EUR (2012)[1]
Employees 2200 (April 2013)
Subsidiaries in 30 countries

Beckhoff Automation GmbH is a medium-sized, internationally acting company located in Verl, Westphalia, Germany. It was established in 1980 as a business unit of the Elektro Beckhoff GmbH, an electrical installation and retail company which was founded in 1953 by Arnold Beckhoff Senior. Until 2005 the business unit “New Automation Technology” operated under the name Beckhoff Industrie Elektronik (Beckhoff Industrial Electronics).

In 2005 the company Elektro Beckhoff GmbH has been restructured into three companies:

  • Beckhoff Automation GmbH
    (PC-based automation technology)
  • Elektro Beckhoff GmbH
    (Building services engineering)
  • Beckhoff Technik und Design GmbH
    (Retail of high-end entertainment electronics, light systems, home appliances)

PC-based automation technology

The company Beckhoff Automation GmbH produces automation technology in different performance categories, from single components up to system solutions. The company focuses on PC-based control technology with the segments Industrial PC, Embedded PC, fieldbus components, drive technology and automation software. The Beckhoff PC Control philosophy, the Bus Terminals and TwinCAT automation software are multifunctional alternatives to traditional control technology. With EtherCAT, launched in 2003, the company initiated a real-time Ethernet for system control.

Company data

In 2012 the company generated a turnover of 408 Million Euro. The actual number of employees amounts to 2200. The Headquarters in Verl is the location for all central departments. The domestic sales department is supplemented by subsidiaries all over Germany.

On the international market, the company is represented by subsidiaries in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Through co-operation with partners, Beckhoff is represented in more than 60 countries.

Company history

  • 1980: Foundation of the company
  • 1982: P1000 – single-board motion controller
  • 1986: PC Control – first PC-based machine controller
  • 1989: Lightbus – fieldbus utilising optical fiber
  • 1990: All-in-one PC motherboard
  • 1995: Bus terminal technology – fieldbus technology in terminal block format
  • 1996: TwinCAT – real-time software package under Windows with PLC and Motion Control functions
  • 1998: Control Panel – remote IPC Control Panels
  • 2002: CX1000 – modular Embedded PCs for DIN rail mounting
  • 2003: EtherCAT – real-time Ethernet fieldbus system
  • 2005: TwinSAFE – safety solution for the Bus Terminal system
  • 2005: AX5000 – EtherCAT Servo Drive
  • 2007: Industrial Motherboards – Made in Westfalen
  • 2008: XFC – eXtreme Fast Control Technology
  • 2009: HD Bus Terminals - 16-channel terminals in 12 mm
  • 2010: TwinCAT 3 - eXtended Automation Technology
  • 2011: AM8000 – Synchronous Servomotors with One Cable Technology (OCT)
  • 2012: Panel PCs and Control Panels with multi-touch technology
  • 2012: XTS – eXtended Transport System

Range of applications

Beckhoff products are used for the automation of machines and plants as well as for building automation. The company creates standard and customized solutions for diverse applications in industries like:

  • Automatic Assembly Machines.
  • Automotive industry.
  • Bio-Technology.
  • Entertainment.
  • Energy Industry.
  • General Machine Building.
  • Medical engineering.
  • Packaging Machines.
  • Presses.
  • Process technology.
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing.
  • Test facilities.
  • Transportation and Logistics.
  • Water management.
  • Window Manufacturing Machines.
  • Woodworking Machines.
  • information technology.

References

  1. ↑ Company homepage sifted April 2013

External links

Beckhoff and TwinCAT Forums on LinkedIn

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