Compact control unit with high power reserves

The system features a handy size of 110x90x35 mm and is therefore much more compact than the previous controller solution. The b maXX PLC mc is based on an Intel CPU system, can be used universally for almost any automation task, and can be mounted flexibly. The new Baumüller b maXX PLC mc impresses users, as it only requires minimal space in the control cabinet and is suitable for top-hat rail assembly. The b maXX PLC mc also boasts high performance with highly synchronous real-time tasks. This allows the implementation of complex applications with the highest performance requirements.

The combination of PLC and PC makes it possible to utilize the possibilities of the Windows operating system in addition to the actual control tasks. By using multi-core processors from the Intel Atom series and partitioning into a real-time operating system and a Windows operating system, both of which operate independently of each other, applications can be implemented that previously required at least two systems. Machine visualization is a typical example. This saves space in the control cabinet and reduces complexity and costs in the after-sales area – for spare parts inventories, for example.

b maXX PLC mc is also very user-friendly, due to the externally replaceable battery for the real-time clock, for example. At the same time, a very fast non-volatile memory – NOVRAM – ensures reliable data storage in the event of a power failure.

Extensive IoT functionalities

The new b maXX PLC IoT extends Baumüller’s b maXX PLC mc controller with extensive IoT functionalities. It’s the ideal solution for networking and controlling machines and machine modules right down to individual automation components. With the new b maXX PLC IoT, data can be collected directly at the machine, preprocessed, and output to other terminal devices or the cloud. They make extensive and complex data analyses possible, in order to enable Industry 4.0 applications, such as predictive maintenance. At the same time, new business models such as “pay per x” can be implemented.

b maXX PLC IoT also features the software Node Red. This allows users to set individual parameters to analyze data or even create their own dashboards. The available MQTT module allows data to be sent to different clouds, regardless of the respective cloud provider. It also includes an OPC-UA module, which ensures interoperability at machine level.

Data from different manufacturers’ devices can be processed. Data from Baumüller products, for example, of a b maXX converter, can be output in parallel to the fieldbus via the internal protocol and thus via the service interface. Due to the enhanced functions, the connectivity of Baumüller devices, such as b maXX PLC IoT, with other automation components can be established via OPC UA.