Virtual PLCs could open up new applications
31 January 2025 
Beckhoff Automation has announced the availability of real-time control as a virtual PLC, which it says will open up more application possibilities for virtualised distribution of its TwinCat applications.
According to Beckhoff, the advantages of virtual control technology include:
- Increased flexibility Virtual control systems can be scaled easily and adapted to suit different requirements
- Lower costs There is less need for physical hardware in the field
- Simpler maintenance Maintenance and software upgrades are easier to carry out because no physical hardware is affected.
Both the TwinCat PLC runtime and TwinCat functions in the form of containers can be operated not only locally on the controller, but also in a data centre. Communications with decentralised I/Os can take place via an EK1000 EtherCat Coupler.
Not only does TwinCat for Linux allow the TwinCat automation software to be executed using Linux, but it also allows TwinCat to be distributed and operated in the form of containers. Because of TwinCat’s modular structure, TwinCat applications can be distributed across several containers. The well-established ADS-over-MQTT technology is available for cross-network communications and can also be used to integrate virtualised engineering systems.
This Linux-based virtual PLC implementation means that the application options can be extended to local data centres as well, allowing certain control or simulation and test tasks to be outsourced from the machine or its control PC. This mode is particularly attractive for applications with lower real-time requirements.
Communications with decentralised I/Os can take place via the EK1000 coupler, which supports the integration of the I/Os via a switched and routed IP network. This simplifies the distribution of various TwinCat applications and enables the central integration of I/Os located at different points in a company via its IT network.
