B&R at the 2014 Drives and Controls exhibition in Birmingham

With Scalability+, B&R is establishing a new philosophy for scalability. This new approach opens up entirely new dimensions for machine builders, making it possible to tailor an automation system directly to the needs of a specific machine. It allows you to select hardware and software that best fits your automation needs - all without being forced to enter into any kind of commitment. If it becomes obvious during development that the components or systems need to be scaled up or down, this can be done at any time without losing a single bit of the work that has already been done. All of this makes it possible for machine manufacturers to adapt automation systems directly to the needs of the machine without having to make compromises along the way.

B&R has developed a whole new series of hardware components that further enhances the interoperability and scalability of automation systems. New compact controllers with integrated I/O have been added to the X20 series of controllers. The Power Panel product series is also being upgraded to include several new touch screen systems - with and without controller functionality - that will also be given their UK launch at Drives and Controls.

This year's Drives and Controls is also where B&R UK will unveil reACTION - innovative technology that reduces cycle times to unprecedented levels. This new approach allows time-critical sub-processes to be implemented using standard hardware - all within the requirements of IEC 61131- while reducing not just the load on the controller, but overall costs as well.

B&R will also be introducing the UK to the latest version of its process control system - APROL R 4.0 - including many new features. Sharing the spotlight will be EnMon energy monitoring and ConMon condition monitoring packages from APROL, both of which are suitable for use in factory automation. With APROL, machine manufacturers not only can expand their core competencies, but also offer factory owners and operators the resulting added value. Another package, APROL APC (Advanced Process Control), includes various components such as a 10×10×10 model predictive controller for providing simple solutions to complex control tasks.

These and other innovations from all areas of automation - from simulation-based mechatronic software development and high-end PC-based systems to drive technology and mobile automation - will be on display at the B&R booth, hall 3, stand D250. Please visit www.br-automation.com to find out more.