Beckhoff: TwinCAT 3 (TFxxxx Series)
TwinCAT 3 | eXtended Automation (XA)
Beckhoff created a global standard for automation with the launch of PC-based control technology in 1986. On the software side, the TwinCAT (The Windows Control and Automation Technology) automation suite forms the core of the control system. The TwinCAT software system turns almost any PC-based system into a real-time control with multiple PLC, NC, CNC and/or robotics runtime systems. TwinCAT 3 is the systematic further development of TwinCAT 2, with which the world of automation technology is being redefined.
only one software for programming and configuration
Visual Studio® integration
more freedom in selecting programming languages
support for the object-oriented extension of IEC 61131-3
use of C/C++ as the programming language for real time applications
link to MATLAB®/Simulink®
open interfaces for expandability and adaptation to the tools landscape
flexible runtime environment
active support of multi-core and 64-bit systems
migration of TwinCAT 2 projects
automatic code generation and project implementation with the TwinCAT Automation Interface
eXtended Automation Technology – TwinCAT 3 extends the standard automation world
eXtended Automation Architecture
supports all main fieldbuses
supports IEC 61131, C/C++, MATLAB®/Simulink®
supports Motion Control: from point-to-point to CNC
supports TwinSAFE configuration
supports Scientific Automation: robotics, measurement technology, Condition Monitoring
eXtended Automation Engineering
one tool – Microsoft Visual Studio®
integrated: IEC 61131 – worldwide standard in automation
integrated: C/C++ – worldwide standard in IT
integrated: TwinCAT System Manager – well-known configuration tool
link to MATLAB®/Simulink®: worldwide standard in science
expandable with other tools: editors, compilers
TwinCAT 2 projects can be migrated.
TwinCAT 3 modules: standardized programming frames
using the .NET programming languages for non-real-time capable applications (e.g. HMI)
eXtended Automation Runtime
IEC 61131, C/C++, MATLAB®/Simulink® objects in one runtime
integrated TwinSAFE runtime
extended real-time-functionality: min. 50 ìs cycle time and low jitter
enhanced performance: support of multi-core CPUs
future-proof: supports 64-bit operating systems
Beckhoff: TF1xxx, TF2xxx, TF3xxx & TF4xxx Series
TwinCAT 3 is divided into components. The TwinCAT 3 engineering components enable the configuration, programming and debugging of applications. The TwinCAT 3 runtime consists of further components – basic components and functions. The basic components can be extended by functions.
TC3 PLC HMI is a stand-alone tool for the presentation of visualizations which are created in the TwinCAT PLC development environment. They are shown in full-screen as soon as the system starts up.
TC3 PLC HMI Web is a web-based visualization system. The TwinCAT PLC development environment can be used as an editor for creating web pages. The web pages are hosted by the Internet Information Server (IIS). For display of the web pages, a browser is needed that supports HTML5 and has JavaScript activated.
With the integration of UML (Unified Modeling Language) in TwinCAT 3.1, two additional editors for modelling of PLC software are available. The existing TwinCAT PLC programming languages are extended with the UML state and UML class diagrams.
Generally speaking, UML is a modelling language for software analysis, design and documentation. UML is particularly suitable for object-oriented implementations. The unified modelling of the PLC application creates an easy to follow software documentation, which can also be analyzed by other departments.
The UML class diagram belongs to the group of UML structure diagrams and can be used for schematic representation of the software architecture. In this way, it is possible to represent object classes and the elements contained within them, as well as object relationships in a transparent manner. The UML state diagram is part of the UML behavior diagrams and is used for dynamic software modelling. It can be used for a graphic specification of the dynamic response or the state-dependent system behavior. Compilation of the state diagram generates program code, so that the state machine can be executed directly. The development process is supported by an online debugging option.
The TC3 HMI Server is a modular web server that provides the human-machine interface (HMI). It supports all CPU classes from ARM to multi-core. The powerful architecture enables a wide range of application scenarios from local panel solutions to multi-client, multi-server and multi-runtime concepts. All that is needed to start an HMI client is an HTML5-capable browser, which is available for all major operating systems. Accordingly, clients can run on PCs as well as on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. Whatever the platform, security is of the utmost importance, which is why the data traveling between client and server is encrypted. The integrated user management features a configurable user rights system that can be linked to the user's own IT infrastructure.
The HMI is linked to respective controllers via automation protocols like the Automation Device Specification (ADS) or OPC UA.
The HMI Server can be extended with so-called server extensions like an alarms & events system or a recipe management system. Server extensions can also be developed in C++ or .NET with a software development kit, which allows users to develop their own logic and implement additional communication protocols.
TF3300 | TC3 Scope Server
The TwinCAT 3 Scope Server prepares data for visual display in the TwinCAT 3 Scope View. It can be used for autarkic data recordings in distributed systems within production, plant or machine networks.
TF3500 | TC3 Analytics Logger
The TC3 Analytics Logger cyclically collects data from the application and the process image. Since it works within the real-time context, it delivers outstanding performance.
The data can be stored in a local file or sent to a message broker via an IoT communication protocol. The broker can run on your own network or in a public cloud. The Analytics Logger can be easily configured in the engineering environment of TwinCAT 3 via Microsoft Visual Studio®.
TF3510 | TC3 Analytics Library
The TC3 Analytics Library is a PLC library with analytical functions for process and application data. It can be run locally on the target system or on an analytical system that is linked to the cloud.
The library contains function blocks for cycle analysis with minimum, maximum and average cycle times. It also contains function blocks for threshold value monitoring and is able to document the number of threshold value violations. Other function blocks analyze signal amplitudes and store indicators like maxima and minima.
The library makes it easy to analyze fault conditions as well as certain states of a state machine. In combination with the TC3 HMI, easy-to-use machine dashboards can be developed that process and display valuable information for operators and service technicians.
TF3600 | TC3 Condition Monitoring Level 1
In order to implement Condition Monitoring for machines and plants, the TwinCAT Condition Monitoring library offers a modular construction kit of mathematical algorithms with which measured values can be analyzed. The user can serve himself from this construction kit, depending upon the application background, thus having the option to develop a scalable solution on different platforms.
The library's functions are primarily relevant to analysis, statistics and classification. In addition to spectral analysis via FFT or using, for instance, an envelope spectrum, it is possible to calculate key statistical values such as the kurtosis or the crest factor. Combining these algorithms with limit value monitoring is, for instance, ideally suited to monitoring roller bearings.
Level 1 contains the following algorithms:
TF3601 | TC3 Condition Monitoring Level 2
In addition to the Level 1 functions, TwinCAT Condition Monitoring Level 2 contains the following algorithms:
Hilbert Transform
Analytic Signal
Instantaneous Phase
Overlap Add Synthesis
Statistics of Frequency Spectra
Quantities and Percentiles
Homomorphic Signal Processing
Power Cepstrum
Instantaneous Frequency
Bayesian Classification
TF3900 | TC3 Solar Position Algorithm
With the TwinCAT Solar Position Algorithm it is possible to determine the sun angle using the date, time, geographical longitude and latitude as well as further parameters (depending on the desired accuracy). The function block works with a maximum inaccuracy of ±0.001°.
TF4100 | TC3 Controller Toolbox
The TwinCAT Controller Toolbox covers all essential blocks for control applications.
controllers satisfy industrial requirements such as anti-reset windup
simple basic controllers (P, I, D)
complex controllers (PI, PID, switching controllers)
filter blocks
control value generators (limiters, PWM)
ramp and signal generator blocks
TF4110 | TC3 Temperature Controller
Temperature controllers can be simply implemented using TwinCAT Temperature Controller. Simple commissioning through self-adjustment of the controller (auto-tuning) is included.
automatic and manual operation with shock-free set up
control value analog or pulse-width modulated signal
tolerance monitoring, absolute value monitoring
scalable reaction to sensor error and heating power faults
limitation of set and control values
optional ramping of the set value
optional start-up phase for the setpoint variables
industrial PID controller as base control algorithm inside the temperature controller
Model No.: TF1800-00pp, TF1810-00pp, TF1910-00pp, TF2000-00pp, TF3300-00pp, TF3500-00pp, TF3510-00pp, TF3600-00pp, TF3601-00pp, TF3900-00pp, TF4100-00pp, TF4110-00pp