"Fast Hot Connect" Capability for EtherCAT I/O Devices

In order to increase efficiencies for product changeovers, tool changes and machine module replacements, Beckhoff Automation has introduced new EtherCAT I/O devices with “Fast Hot Connect” capabilities. With the new EK1101-0080 EtherCAT Coupler and the EK1122-0080 EtherCAT junction module with Fast Hot Connect, the connection time for these kinds of changeovers is reduced to 1 second, increasing productivity as a result.

Hot Connect是Ethercat固有的长期特征，用于通过操作过程中直接耦合或解耦更换拓扑。例如，使用该技术用于机器人的快速工具更改，以便缩短周期时间并增加吞吐量。包括食品和饮料，包装，制药，塑料和金属加工行业在内的制造过程中，可以享受好处。

Using Fast Hot Connect, system components are coupled into and decoupled from the EtherCAT-enabled control system with the ease of plug-and-play. In metalworking machines, for example, this results in extremely fast tool changes. The time required for the tool change is added 1:1 to the cycle time; therefore, a shortening of the tool change time also results in a shortening of the cycle time and throughput is increased. The TwinCAT automation suite from Beckhoffsupports Fast Hot Connect on the master side.

The EtherCAT Terminal system is a modular and high performance Industrial Ethernet I/O system. EtherCAT’s technological features support shorter cycle times, much faster network communication speeds, increased precision in manufacturing and more.