B&R Description
B&R Industrial Automation GmbH, a member of the ABB Group, is a leading provider of integrated industrial automation solutions. It specializes in delivering open, scalable, and future-proof technologies spanning controls, HMI, mobile automation, motion control, mechatronics, vision systems, and scalable DCS (APROL). B&R’s ecosystem is built on openness—supporting diverse protocols like POWERLINK, EtherCAT, OPC UA FX, and Modbus-TCP—and emphasizes hardware-agnostic control, seamless IT/OT convergence, and user-centric engineering tools. Its product portfolio includes compact PLCs (X20, Compact-S), industrial PCs (Automation PC 4100), servo drives (ACOPOS series), modular transport systems (ACOPOStrak, ACOPOS 6D), and integrated robotics solutions, catering to industries such as manufacturing, mobile machinery, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. B&R’s core mission is to enable customers to “do more with less” by enhancing productivity, reducing energy consumption and waste, and unlocking new business models through innovative technologies like magnetic levitation transport, adaptive motion control, and IIoT-ready connectivity.
B&R Key Advantages
B&R’s primary advantages stem from its open and integrated ecosystem, which eliminates vendor lock-in and enables seamless interoperability with third-party devices and software—supported by technologies like exOS (for Linux-IT software integration)、hardware-agnostic Automation Runtime, and multi-protocol connectivity. Its mapp Technology and Automation Studio engineering environment drastically reduce development time by offering pre-built software components, intuitive graphical editors, and selective versioning, accelerating time-to-market for machine builders. The company’s focus on performance and flexibility is evident in adaptive motion control features (jerk limitation, anti-sloshing, energy regeneration)、modular transport systems (ACOPOS 6D for six-degree-of-freedom motion, washdown-ready ACOPOStrak)、and scalable hardware (from compact embedded PLCs to high-performance industrial PCs with IP69K protection). B&R also prioritizes sustainability with energy-efficient motors (China Energy Label Class 1)、power-saving drives, and zero-wear transport solutions, while its APROL DCS ensures enterprise-grade security (certificate management, containerized updates)、IT integration, and reliable lifecycle management. Additionally, deep component synchronization (motion, vision, robotics, HMI) and support for adaptive manufacturing (batch size 1) empower manufacturers to improve OEE, reduce waste, and adapt to changing market demands.
B&R X20SM1426 PLC Module
The B&R X20SM1426 is a stepper motor module designed to control a 24 VDC nominal voltage stepper motor with a maximum continuous current of 1 A and a peak current of 1.2 A (for 2 seconds after a recovery time of at least 10 seconds at 1 A max), featuring 4 digital inputs (24 VDC, sink type) that can be configured as incremental encoder inputs and integrated with NetTime function for microsecond-accurate timestamping of position and trigger time. Key functions of the module include integrated motor detection (identifies connected motors via coil characteristics to detect wiring errors or incorrect motor types), independently configurable coil currents (optimizes motor heating, energy consumption, and system service life by adapting current to actual needs with adjustable holding, nominal, and maximum current values), stall detection (analyzes motor load via a configurable threshold to detect overload or stall conditions), versatile homing procedures (supports limit switch-triggered, stop-controlled, and immediate homing, with an optional delay time to prevent unintended homing from brief motor stoppages), software and hardware limitations (prevents mechanical damage via limit switches or software-defined movement ranges), built-in motion generator (enables position and velocity control with predefined parameters like target position, acceleration, and jerk limitation for smooth operation), counter functions (determines motor position via internal calculations or AB(R) encoder input with a 16-bit counter and max 50 kHz input frequency), ABR interface and digital inputs (4 inputs usable as homing inputs, limit switches, or ABR encoder inputs), automatic shutdown (monitors module power supply voltage and temperature, triggering shutdown if limits are exceeded, and supports SDC life sign monitoring to shut down the motor on communication loss with the controller), and NetTime Technology (synchronizes system times across controller components for precise event timestamping). The module is compatible with B&R’s X20 system, requiring additional bus modules (X20BM11/X20BM15) and terminal blocks (X20TB12) for operation, and adheres to certifications such as CE, UKCA, ATEX Zone 2, UL, and KC, with an IP20 protection rating and operating temperature range of -25°C to 60°C (Rev. > E6) or 0°C to 55°C (Rev. ≤ E6) for horizontal mounting.
B&R X20DO6322 Digital output module
The B&R X20DO6322 is a digital output module belonging to the X20 product series, featuring 6 current-sourcing FET outputs designed for 24 VDC operation with 1-wire or 2-wire connection options (compatible with X20TB06 6-pin or X20TB12 12-pin terminal blocks) and requiring additional bus modules (X20BM11/X20BM15) for integration. Each output channel supports a nominal current of 0.5 A, with a total nominal current of 3 A for the module, and incorporates key functions including OSP (Operator Set Predefined) mode (outputs a user-defined digital pattern when communication between the module and master controller is aborted, offering options to retain the last valid value or switch to a static preset value) and comprehensive output status monitoring (detects short circuits, overloads, missing I/O power supply, and external voltage application when channels are switched off, with diagnostic feedback via LED indicators and software). The module is equipped with internal freewheeling diodes for switching inductive loads, ensuring a typical braking voltage of 50 VDC, and features a leakage current of 5 µA when outputs are off, an on-resistance (RDS(on)) of 210 mΩ, peak short-circuit current <12 A, and switching delays <300 µs (for both on and off transitions), with a maximum switching frequency of 500 Hz for resistive loads. It holds certifications such as CE, UKCA, ATEX Zone 2 (II 3G Ex nA nC IIA T5 Gc), UL (cULus E115267), DNV, CCS, and KC, with an IP20 protection rating, operating temperature ranges of -25°C to 60°C (horizontal mounting) or -25°C to 50°C (vertical mounting), and electrical isolation of 500 V eff between channels and the bus. The module consumes 0.18 W on the bus and 0.71 W for internal I/O, with additional power dissipation from resistive actuators, and supports cyclic and acyclic data access, packed output configuration (as a single USINT data point or individual channels), and automatic recovery to normal mode once communication is restored after brief interruptions.
B&R X20TB12 12-Pin Terminal Block
The B&R X20TB12 is a 12-pin, keyed terminal block designed for wiring B&R X20 24 VDC modules, featuring tool-free push-in technology for easy installation, a lever for simple wire release, support for labeling each terminal (including plain text labeling), compatibility with standard test probes via dedicated access holes (ø 2 mm), and customer-coding capability. It is certified with CE, UKCA, ATEX Zone 2 (II 3G Ex nA nC IIA T5 Gc), UL (cULus E115267), DNV, LR, KR, and ABS certifications, and is compatible exclusively with copper wires (no aluminum wires) with a wire stripping length of 7 to 9 mm. The terminal block supports various connection cross-sections: single-wire (0.08 to 2.50 mm² / 28 to 14 AWG), fine-stranded wires (0.25 to 2.50 mm² / 24 to 14 AWG), wires with end sleeves (0.25 to 1.50 mm² / 24 to 16 AWG), and double end sleeves (up to 2x 0.75 mm² / 2x 21 AWG), with a contact spacing of 4.2 mm (left-right) and 10.96 mm (above-below). Electrical specifications include a nominal voltage of 240 VAC / 48 VDC, maximum voltage of 300 VAC / 60 VDC, nominal current of 10 A per contact, and contact resistance ≤5 mΩ, while its ambient operating conditions (temperature, relative humidity) align with the X20 module it is paired with. Additionally, it features unique terminal numbering (row number 1 or 2 and terminal numbers 1 to 6) for clear assignment during planning, and requires adherence to cable holding force standards to prevent disconnection—fine-stranded wires must be twisted, and wire end sleeves should be square-crimped with no protruding wires for optimal performance. Warning: Working on a disconnected terminal block is prohibited at voltages ≥50 V due to potential contact with live parts.
