The ASI8100 stepper motor with built-in drive from Beckhoff adds another space-saving tool to the company’s broad range of compact drive technology products (up to 48 V DC). The ASI8100 series combines a stepper motor, stepper motor output stage, and fieldbus connection in a fully integrated design. These EtherCAT devices mount directly on the machine without a control cabinet or upstream I/O, allowing for highly compact, control cabinet-free machines.

With the TwinCAT Runtime for Linux, Beckhoff is opening up new application possibilities for real-time control. In the future, several TwinCAT Runtimes can be executed on a single industrial PC for the first time, enabling users to combine different system parts on one large computer, for example. With this hardware consolidation, computing resources are better utilized. Furthermore, accessing a GPU (graphics card) from the real-time environment will be possible, which is used as a hardware accelerator for particularly computing-intensive applications such as vision.

In Watch Valley, a region between Basel and Geneva, an ecosystem has developed over several centuries around the watch industry and the smallest precision components for micromechanical devices. Machine builders such as Esco SA in Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane and Affolter Group SA in Malleray are an important part of this ecosystem. Their CNC machines are used to manufacture the smallest gears, screws, shafts, and other components at maximum precision, practically laying the foundation for the famous precision of Swiss watch movements.

Mark Ruberg, packaging industry manager at Beckhoff USA, will serve another four-year term on the PMMI Industry Relations Committee. As an experienced packaging industry expert, Ruberg has been active throughout his career with various committees and work groups at PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

In the MX-System, Beckhoff offers a flexible, space-optimized, intelligent system solution that completely eliminates conventional control cabinets and can thus revolutionize the world of automation. This innovation has now been recognized with the Industry 4.0 Innovation Award.

Jake Schieffer is taking on a new role within Beckhoff USA as vice president of sales. This promotion results from Schieffer’s significant successes as regional director – Midwest. In the newly created national position, he will continue to promote business alignment throughout the sales organization and accelerate growth across the U.S. Based at the Beckhoff USA headquarters office in the Minneapolis area, Schieffer reports to President Kevin Barker. After Schieffer’s promotion, Steve Boelte was selected to fill the position of regional director – Midwest.

Hannover Messe 2022 focused on industrial transformation, driven by the digitalization of industry and the reduction of C02 emissions. Topics at this year’s event included data analytics, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and IT security. Companies like Voith, NORD, Beckhoff and others presented the latest products and technologies during the event.