Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG: PC-Based Control Technology for Industrial Automation

Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG is a German automation company headquartered in Verl, Germany, founded in 1980.

The company implements open automation systems using PC-based control technology — a philosophy that has been the foundation of its success since the company’s foundation. Beckhoff’s product range covers industrial PCs (IPCs), I/O and fieldbus components, drive technology, automation software (TwinCAT), control cabinet-free automation (MX-System), and hardware for machine vision.

Beckhoff’s PC-based control architecture uses industrial PC technology and software-based automation to integrate PLC, motion, robotics, CNC, vision and other control functions within a common platform. The company reported global sales of €1.24 billion in 2025, employed approximately 5,450 people worldwide as of February 2026 (including around 2,000 engineers), and has 41 subsidiaries and representative offices, represented in more than 75 countries through its international partner network.

Products and Capabilities

Beckhoff’s PC-based control ecosystem spans several integrated hardware and software technology areas:

Industrial PCs (IPC) : Panels and industrial PCs for every application — with the latest technology for all performance classes, from embedded controllers to high-performance industrial servers.

I/O and Fieldbus Components : I/O components for implementing simple or complex applications with EtherCAT (Beckhoff’s real-time Ethernet solution) and other common fieldbus systems.

Drive Technology : Innovative drive technologies providing capabilities for realising a wide range of motion applications — from servo drives to integrated drive systems.

TwinCAT Automation Software : TwinCAT is Beckhoff’s automation software platform, offering features and software function blocks for all automation tasks — including PLC, motion control, CNC, robotics, HMI, safety and IoT/Industry 4.0 connectivity.

ATRO Modular Robotics : Beckhoff’s modular industrial robot system enables individually configurable robot kinematics with integrated PC-based control and TwinCAT engineering, allowing robotic motion to be synchronised with other machine functions within the same automation environment.

Machine Vision : Beckhoff provides a system-integrated industrial vision portfolio covering cameras, optics, illumination, accessories and software, with integration into EtherCAT and TwinCAT-based control architectures.

MX-System (Control Cabinet-Free Automation) : An IP67-capable modular system integrating IPC, I/O, motion, relay and system functions into machine-mounted IP67 modules — enabling control cabinet-free machine designs by placing electronics directly on the machine.

Industrial AI and Machine Learning : Beckhoff integrates machine learning and AI-assisted engineering into the TwinCAT environment, enabling AI functions to become part of automation engineering and machine control workflows.

Beckhoff Capabilities for Automation and Machine Building

For automatica attendees in machine building, system integration and factory automation, Beckhoff offers several distinct capabilities:

PC-Based Control Architecture : Beckhoff’s core technical doctrine uses industrial PC technology with TwinCAT software to integrate PLC, motion, CNC, robotics, vision and other control functions within a common architecture.

EtherCAT Real-Time Ethernet : Originally developed by Beckhoff, EtherCAT enables deterministic, high-performance communication across controllers, I/O, drives, robotics and machine vision systems.

Integrated Automation Ecosystem : The common architecture allows control, motion, I/O, vision and software functions to be engineered and coordinated within an integrated Beckhoff ecosystem.

Robotics Integration : ATRO modular robotics and integrated motion/robotics control enable robotic automation within the same engineering environment as other machine functions.

Control Cabinet-Free Automation : MX-System integrates IPC, I/O, motion, relay and system functions into machine-mounted IP67 modules — reducing space requirements, simplifying wiring and enabling modular machine designs.

TwinCAT Engineering Platform : TwinCAT provides a unified development environment for PLC, motion control, CNC, robotics, HMI, safety, IoT, AI and machine learning — enabling engineers to program all automation functions within a single platform.

Who Uses Beckhoff Automation Solutions?

Beckhoff serves a wide range of manufacturing and industrial sectors:

Machine Builders and OEMs : CNC machine tools, packaging machinery, metalworking equipment, and assembly systems — where PC-based control provides high performance and flexibility.

Robotics and Assembly Automation : Robot cells, assembly systems and handling applications combining TwinCAT, EtherCAT, motion control, vision and modular robotics.

Factory Automation and Intralogistics : Production lines, material handling systems, and logistics automation — where integrated control, I/O and drive solutions are required.

Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing : Precision automation for semiconductor production, electronics assembly, and micro-cutting applications — requiring high accuracy and fast communication.

Building Automation and Process Industries : Intelligent building control and process automation — where open, scalable automation solutions are increasingly adopted.

Beckhoff and automatica Munich

Beckhoff exhibited at automatica Munich in 2025, presenting its PC-based control ecosystem for smart automation, robotics and digital manufacturing. Highlights included the ATRO modular industrial robot system, system-integrated machine vision, TwinCAT-based AI and machine-learning technologies, drive systems and the MX-System for control cabinet-free automation. For broader information on the event, explore the BHOWCO automatica Munich Trade Fair Overview or visit the official automatica website.

Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG FAQ

• What is Beckhoff’s core technology?
  Beckhoff’s core technology is PC-based control, which combines industrial PC hardware with TwinCAT automation software to integrate PLC, motion, CNC, robotics, vision and other machine-control functions within a common architecture.
• What is TwinCAT?
  TwinCAT is Beckhoff’s automation software platform, providing a unified development environment for PLC, motion control, CNC, robotics, HMI, safety, IoT, AI and machine learning functions.
• What is EtherCAT?
  EtherCAT is a real-time industrial Ethernet technology originally developed by Beckhoff, enabling deterministic communication between controllers, I/O, drives, robotics and other automation devices.
• What is the MX-System?
  Beckhoff’s IP67-capable modular system integrating IPC, I/O, motion, relay and system functions into machine-mounted modules — enabling control cabinet-free machine designs.
• What automation functions can be integrated with Beckhoff PC-based control?
  Beckhoff PC-based control can integrate PLC, motion control, CNC, robotics, machine vision, safety, HMI, industrial communication, machine learning and IoT functions within a common automation architecture.