Beckhoff

Beckhoff is a German automation technology company headquartered in Verl. The company says it was founded in 1980 and describes PC-based control technology as the foundation of its product development. Its stated approach is open and industry-independent, with products that can be used individually or integrated into a compatible control system. Beckhoff’s portfolio covers industrial PCs and panels; I/O and fieldbus components; drive and motion technology; automation software; control-cabinet-free automation; and machine-vision hardware. The company identifies TwinCAT as its automation software and EtherCAT as a real-time Ethernet solution. Its product information describes applications ranging from CNC-controlled machine tools and wind turbines to intelligent building automation. The company presents its technologies as serving customers and applications worldwide. Its current product materials also feature the MX-System, a modular, IP67-capable automation system, alongside products for industrial machine vision. The supplied information does not establish a parent company, ownership details, or named executives.

Beckhoff says it was founded in 1980 and that PC-based control technology has been central to the company’s development since its foundation. Its company overview presents this approach as an alternative to traditional control technology and links it to the company’s development of products and automation solutions. The company identifies Lightbus and TwinCAT automation software among its milestones in automation technology. It also describes EtherCAT as a real-time Ethernet solution intended to support a new generation of control concepts. These technologies sit within a broader portfolio that includes industrial PCs, I/O and fieldbus components, drive technology, automation software, control-cabinet-free automation, and machine-vision hardware. Beckhoff’s product range is designed for use either as separate components or as an integrated, compatible control system. The company describes its solutions as universal and open, with applications spanning sectors and including CNC-controlled machine tools, wind turbines, and intelligent building automation. Current product information also highlights the MX-System, a modular automation system with IP67 capability, and a machine-vision hardware portfolio. The company identifies Verl, Germany, as its headquarters. Its supplied materials describe its technologies and applications as used worldwide. The available evidence does not provide a complete account of ownership, named founders, leadership changes, acquisitions, or a detailed chronology beyond the company’s 1980 foundation and the technologies it identifies as milestones.

• 1980

  Company founded

Open, industry-independent automation technology based on PC-based control, with hardware and software designed for use as components or as an integrated control system.

• Industrial PCs and panels

  Industrial computing and panel products for automation applications.

• I/O and fieldbus components

  Components for implementing automation applications using EtherCAT and other common fieldbus systems.

• Drive and motion technology

  Drive technologies for automation applications.

• TwinCAT

  Automation software offering features and function blocks for automation tasks.

• MX-System

  A modular automation system with IP67 capability.

• Machine-vision hardware

  Hardware portfolio for industrial machine vision, presented as offering system integration from a single source.

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