Australia Processing and Packaging Expo (APPEX) 2024, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 12-15 March, will not only mark the inaugural event of what was previously AUSPACK, but will also be the first time Beckhoff Automation exhibits at this industry leading event, and brings the new TwinCAT software platform to the show floor.
In 2022, the organisers of the show announced that Australasia’s popular processing and packaging exhibition, AUSPACK, would be transitioning into an all-of-industry event, and APPEX promises to be one of the best and biggest shows yet.
According to Nick Psahoulias, managing director at Beckhoff Automation Australia, the timing could not be better.
“We are thrilled to be making our debut. APPEX is the perfect platform to showcase some of our new, ground-breaking solutions to the local market,“ he said.
“We aren’t just exhibiting products, we are showcasing comprehensive solutions that will add value to our customers. These solutions help transform business processes to further enhance efficiencies, productivity and competitiveness across various industries.”
What’s on show?
For more than four decades, Beckhoff Automation has been implementing open automation systems based on PC control technology.
It’s comprehensive product range covers industrial PCs, I/O and fieldbus components, drive technology, automation software, control-cabinet free automation and hardware for machine vision.
“We are probably still best-known for bringing EtherCAT to the market 20 years ago – arguably one of the forefront technologies that has helped transform the world of industrial networking. However, we have come a long way since then and we have a lot to show,” Psahoulias said.
APPEX will be a springboard for Beckhoff Automation’s newest and biggest upgrade to its TwinCAT automation software platform.
“The TwinCAT software enables seamless integration of machine learning, vision, edge computing and cloud connectivity, taking automation to new heights and opening up possibilities for our customers,” explained Psahoulias.
“While it may seem obvious now to hand over industrial control to a PC, this is only thanks to innovations like TwinCAT that helped make it possible. Our software was one of the first to make use of a PC with Windows as an operating system,” added Supriya Suhale, category manager – Connectivity at Beckhoff Automation.
“TwinCAT 3 enables seamless integration of machine learning, vision, edge computing and cloud connectivity – enabling user modules to be executed in real-time.
“APPEX is the ideal platform to demonstrate the benefits of TwinCAT 3 for the packaging and processing industries.”
Also, included in its product line-up for APPEX is the XTS (eXtended Linear Transport System), as well as the XPlanar transport system, which combines the advantages of conventional systems and supplements them with a unique magnetic levitation technology.
“The XTS is a proven drive solution that makes use of magnetically driven movers, which travel along a path of fully integrated motor modules. It makes use of an industrial PC with TwinCAT automation software, enabling the independent control of movers with individual motion profiles.
“As for XPlanar, with its floating 2D product transport, it is a system that opens up a whole host of new possibilities.”
The Beckhoff benefit
Psahoulias says that the industry is abuzz with the growing momentum of local investment and expansion, and Beckhoff Automation is capitalising on this growth.
“A lot of time and resources have been infused into the expansion of our local footprint, with new offices opening in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth earlier this year,” Psahoulias said.
“While we are still headquartered in Melbourne, we wanted to be closer to customers in these key regions, and the location of each of these branches couldn’t have been more ideal.
“Our product range is versatile and can be customised to meet the unique and high demands of key industries such as food manufacturing, pharmaceutical and logistics, where precision and speed are paramount.”
And, of course, Psahoulias acknowledges that there is always fierce competition in the market, but he firmly believes that what separates Beckhoff Automation from the rest is its openness and flexibility.
“Our PC-based control technology allows for flexibility, with ease integration of third-party software and hardware, giving our customers the freedom to choose the best solutions for their specific needs,” he concluded.
For those interested to have a chat, Beckhoff Automation will be on stand D025 at APPEX 2024 from 12-15 March 2024.
