TwinCAT MC3 Motion Control Platform for Multi-Core Industrial PCs from Beckhoff Automation

[Cengiz Özemli]

## TwinCAT MC3 Motion Control Platform for Multi-Core Industrial PCs from Beckhoff Automation

Beckhoff Automation has introduced TwinCAT MC3, the next-generation motion control software within the TwinCAT automation platform. This new software architecture is optimized for multi-core and multi-task processing, enabling a single industrial PC to control machines with a high number of axes and complex synchronization requirements.

### Multi-Core Efficiency with Modular Architecture
TwinCAT MC3 offers a consistent, modular architecture designed to distribute motion control tasks across different CPU cores. Axes can be assigned to different cores based on speed and functional requirements and can operate at different cycle times.

Unlike traditional methods where the fastest axis determines the global cycle time, MC3 allows for different cycle rates. This ensures full utilization of the processor and prevents high-speed axes from limiting the performance of slower axes.

Synchronized motion between cores is achieved with coordinated timing, supporting precise multi-axis interpolation and coordinated motion sequences.

### Scalability Without Fixed Axis Limits
The platform does not impose a fixed limit on the number of axes that can be controlled. This flexibility enables its use in advanced applications such as packaging systems, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, printing machines, and robotic applications, where hundreds of coordinated axes are used.

The architecture is ideal for industrial PCs with multi-core processors, allowing motion control workloads to scale with available computational resources.

### Parallel Operation with TwinCAT NC2
TwinCAT MC3 includes all the functional features of the previous TwinCAT NC2 motion control generation and can operate in parallel with NC2. This compatibility allows MC3 and NC2 axes to coexist within the same system.

This enables a gradual transition; new machine modules can be implemented with MC3 while existing NC2-based components can be retained without modification. This reduces engineering risk during system upgrades.

### Integrated Machine Simulation
MC3 supports full machine simulation, allowing for the creation of highly accurate virtual models of real machines. The simulation capability facilitates program development, verification, and optimization processes before commissioning.

Due to the identical real-time execution architecture between simulation and actual operation, users can transfer configurations to physical machines with minimal rework.

### High-Performance Automation on a Single Industrial PC
By utilizing multi-core distribution and flexible cycle time management, TwinCAT MC3 enables the automation of complex motion systems on a single industrial PC. This approach maximizes processor efficiency while supporting multi-axis synchronized motion.

With its modular architecture, scalable axis management, and backward compatibility, TwinCAT MC3 expands Beckhoff's motion control platform to meet the demands of high-performance multi-axis industrial applications.

www.beckhoff.com