TwinCAT automation software

• 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
• TwinCAT 2 projects can be migrated.
• TwinCAT 3 modules: standardized programming frames using .NET
• programming languages for non-real-time capable applications (e.g. HMI)

• IEC 61131, C/C++, MATLAB^®/Simulink^® objects in one runtime
• extended real-time-functionality: min. 50 μs cycle time and low jitter
• enhanced performance: support of multi-core CPUs
• future-proof: supports 64-bit operating systems

C and C++ programming languages

• standardized
• widely used programming languages
• very powerful programming languages
• run under the same runtime as PLC programs

Extended debugging of C++ programs

• debugging of C++ programs that run in real-time
• use of breakpoints
• use of watch lists
• use of call stacks

Basis for MATLAB^®/Simulink^®

• great variety of toolboxes
• possibilities for use:
  • building of control circuits
  • in simulation
  • in optimization
• automatic code generation
• debug interface between MATLAB^®/Simulink^® and TwinCAT

Integration of Visual Studio^®

Automation devices and application programming in one environment

• use of the most famous and best supported development suite
• future-proof
• editing of PLC programs and complex visualizations in one environment
• multi-language support
• modern look and feel
• context-sensitive online help
• automatic syntax checking
• IntelliSense
• syntax highlighting
• use of the well-known source code control tools

Open architecture

• extendable by plug-ins

For more efficient programming of automation devices, the editors for IEC 61131-3 programming in TwinCAT have been significantly improved. The operability in particular has been improved and the debugging options have been extended. The options include improved inline monitoring, conditional break points and more.

TwinCAT 3 likewise supports the extensions to the 3^rd edition of the IEC 61131-3 standard. These enable among other things the use of object-oriented techniques such as single inheritance, interfaces, methods and attributes, which significantly increase both the reusability and the quality of the control code.

IEC 61131-3 programming

• supplier-independent programming standard
• PLCopen certification
• portable, reusable software
• five graphic and text-based programming languages:
  • Structured Text and Instruction List
  • Function Block Diagram and Ladder Diagram
  • Sequential Function Chart
• data encapsulation by user-defined data types

Extended options in TwinCAT 3:

• improved ease of operation usability
  • auto-complete
  • marking of associated keywords
  • collapsing of programming structures
• extended debugging
  • use of conditional break points
  • improved inline monitoring
• object-oriented extensions
  • single inheritance
  • interfaces
  • methods
  • attributes

TwinCAT 3 offers the possibility to program automation projects with the assistance of the C/C++ languages. The C-Compiler contained in Microsoft Visual Studio^® is used for the code generation. With the aid of a "Software Development Kit" (SDK), functions are provided for the reading/writing of files, starting of threads, allocation of memory or communication with a database, which corresponds to the IEC 61131-3 mechanism when using libraries.

C/C++ as programming languages in automation technology

• powerful, widely used programming languages
• standardized, object-oriented programming languages
• generation of efficient object code
• run under the same runtime as PLC programs
• Beckhoff SDK for extended functionality in the real-time context

Extended debugging of C++ programs

• debugging of C++ programs that run in real-time
• monitoring, watch lists also without the use of break points

The integration of MATLAB^®/Simulink^® enables execution of TwinCAT modules that were regenerated as models in the Simulink^® simulation environment. The chosen interfacing type displays the parameters and variables in the graphic interface of TwinCAT 3 and enables viewing and modification.

Integration with the simulation software MATLAB^®/Simulink^®

• standard tool in scientific and measuring applications
• wide range of toolboxes (e.g. Fuzzy Logic Toolbox)
• development, simulation and optimization of complex control loops
• automatic code generation via coder
• debug interface between TwinCAT 3 and Simulink^®
• parameterization of the generated module in TwinCAT 3
• download and execution of the module in TwinCAT 3 runtime
• multiple module instantiation possible
• Modules can be used without MATLAB^®/Simulink^®.

With eXtended Motion Control, TwinCAT automation software offers an integrated and scalable solution for motion control applications including simple point-to-point movements, CNC and robot control.

Interpolation motion for Robotic Control

Advantages of the integration of robotic control in TwinCAT

• configuration, parameterization, diagnostics and programming in TwinCAT
• optimum synergy between PLC, motion control and robot control system
• high performance and precision through direct interfaces

Kinematic calculation process

• forward transformation
• inverse transformation
• calculation of the dynamic model

The Safety Editor integrated in TwinCAT 3 allows the creation of a safety application in a graphical environment. The user can program the desired logic directly with function blocks. The logic can initially be developed independently of the hardware configuration, leading to increased flexibility and portability. Additionally, the editor can automatically generate documentation for the application, making both the act of documenting and commissioning significantly easier.

TwinCAT Safety Editor

• graphical programming
• fully integrated in TwinCAT 3
• convenient diagnostics through the direct display of online values in the graphical environment
• multi-level verification of the application for consistency
• automatic project download verification