The Beckhoff range of Control Panels has been expanded to include a powerful model with an integrated Intel Pentium-compatible 266 MHz CPU. The CP67xx and CP77xx series panels use standard operating systems such as Windows CE and XP Embedded. In the past, the control panels were connected to an Industrial PC located at a separate location (with coaxial CP-Link technology up to 100 m, or with DVI/USB up to 5 m), and were essentially used as a screen and keyboard.

Robust, elegant, equipped for high flexibility, and adaptable to customer requirements, the control panels have anodised metal housings that are cut from solid aluminium and have a depth of only 3 cm. Depending on the series, control panels are available in IP 65 (front)/IP 20 (rear) protection class or completely IP 65.

The new Ethernet panels include:

Intel Pentium-compatible CPU, 266 MHz clock frequency

Passive cooling

256 MB RAM main memory

8 kB NOVRAM (non-volatile memory)

IDE interface for Compact Flash (can be changed from outside)

Real-time clock with date (RTC) and backup battery

2 x Ethernet interfaces 10/100 Mbps

2 x USB master interfaces

1 x RS232 interface (optional)

1 x 24 V DC supply voltage connection

The Ethernet panel family is available in: 6.5", 10", 12" and 15" display sizes. Like the control panel variants with CP-Link or DVI/USB interface, the panels are flexibly equipped with normal and PLC keys, touchscreen and touchpad. The Ethernet panel works without a fan or rotating storage media because a Compact Flash card is used as a hard disk substitute. The 256 MB main memory is particularly useful if the Ethernet panel is used with Windows XP Embedded.

Software determines application options: from controller to local operating station The application possibilities of the Ethernet panels are as diverse as that of an IPC with a screen. Because Windows CE.NET 4.2 or Windows XP Embedded are used as the Ethernet panel's operating system, the system can be used to run either SCADA software or visualisation software developed by the customer.

If the Ethernet panel needs to be used for addressing an automation task, it is beneficial to use Beckhoff's TwinCAT automation software, either as a PLC or motion control application for axis control. I/O is integrated via one of the Ethernet connections using the Beckhoff real-time Ethernet protocol or, in the future, via the Ethernet-based EtherCAT protocol, which provides even higher data throughput at the field level.