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Beckhoff Implementation

OPC-UA for Beckhoff

Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture - platform-independent standard for industrial communication and data exchange.

Type: Industrial EthernetSpeed: Network dependentReleased: 2008Organization: OPC Foundation
Network dependent
Bandwidth
Unlimited
Max Nodes
Network dependent
Max Distance
No
Real-Time

Protocol Overview

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 has excellent OPC UA support via Tc3_OpcUa library. Can act as OPC UA server (publish variables) and client (subscribe to other servers). Windows-based provides flexibility.

When to Use OPC-UA

Choose OPC-UA for enterprise integration, cloud connectivity, multi-vendor environments, or Industry 4.0 initiatives requiring secure data exchange.

Beckhoff Hardware Requirements

Compatible Communication Modules

Any TwinCAT 3 runtime on Windows
CX/C6xxx embedded PC
No special hardware - uses Windows networking

Wiring Details

Network Setup

Standard Windows TCP/IP stack. Port 4840 configurable. Windows Firewall rules auto-configured.

Configuration

TwinCAT XAE: Add Tc3_OpcUa to PLC project. Configure OPC UA Server in System Manager. Select symbols to publish. Client configuration in PLC code.

Beckhoff Software & Programming

Function Blocks & Instructions

Tc3_OpcUa_Server (built-in)
Tc3_OpcUa_Client library
FB_UAServer, FB_UAClient
Method calls, historical data access

Beckhoff Code Example

// TwinCAT OPC UA Server configuration:
// System Manager > SYSTEM > OPC UA Server
// Enable server, set port 4840
// Security: None, Sign, Sign+Encrypt
// Symbols: Right-click PLC variable > Add to OPC UA

// OPC UA Client in PLC:
VAR
  fbUAClient : FB_UAClient;
  NodeId : STRING := 'ns=2;s=Temperature';
  ReadValue : REAL;
END_VAR

fbUAClient(
  sServerURL := 'opc.tcp://192.168.1.20:4840',
  sNodeId := NodeId,
  bRead := TRUE,
  => ReadValue => ReadValue
);

Beckhoff-Specific Implementation Notes

Comprehensive OPC UA support - both server and client. Supports OPC UA methods (callable functions). Historical data access via built-in SQL database integration. Multi-platform: TwinCAT on Windows, TwinCAT/BSD on embedded. Companion specifications: PackML, Euromap, OPC UA for Machine Tools. Certificate-based security with Windows certificate store.

Technical Specifications

Physical Layer

  • Physical Layer: IP-based
  • Cable Type: Any IP network media
  • Topology: Any IP network topology
  • Power Over Cable: No

Data Layer

  • Data Link: TCP/IP or SOAP/HTTPS
  • Encoding: Binary or XML
  • Error Detection: Built-in security
  • Frame Size: Network dependent

Performance

  • Scan Time: Configurable subscription rates
  • Deterministic: No
  • Real-Time: No

Certification

  • Certification Required: No
  • License Cost: Open source implementations available, commercial stacks vary
  • Version: 1.05

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

  • ✓Platform and vendor independent
  • ✓Built-in security (encryption, authentication)
  • ✓Rich information modeling
  • ✓Works across firewalls
  • ✓Supports complex data structures
  • ✓Historical data access
  • ✓Pub/sub and client/server models
  • ✓Industry 4.0 and IoT ready

Disadvantages

  • ✗Not designed for hard real-time
  • ✗Higher complexity than traditional protocols
  • ✗More computing resources required
  • ✗Learning curve for information modeling
  • ✗Overhead for simple applications

Common Use Cases & Applications

Enterprise system integration
MES/ERP connectivity
Cloud and IoT applications
Cross-platform data exchange
Industry 4.0 implementations
Historian integration
Multi-vendor system integration

Industry Adoption

Adoption LevelHigh and growing rapidly
Market ShareGrowing rapidly as Industry 4.0 standard
Geographic PresenceWorldwide
Primary Industries
All industriesParticularly strong in Process IndustriesPharmaceuticalsDiscrete Manufacturing

Supported Message Types

Read
Write
Subscribe
Method calls
Events
Historical access

Supported PLC Brands

SiemensAllen-BradleySchneider ElectricABBBeckhoff
B&R
Mitsubishi
Omron

Quick Links

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