Beckhoff

Beckhoff empowers engineers to differentiate and lead by enabling the adoption of new technologies, open standards, and innovative solutions to the world’s most complex industrial challenges. Founded and led by engineers, Beckhoff develops advanced control, communication, IoT, and motion technologies that serve as uniquely powerful tools for tackling one-of-a-kind problems in an era of digital transformation.

Beckhoff delivers what is arguably the most advanced PLC platform available today. A key differentiator is its deep commitment to EtherCAT, bringing extremely high-speed, high-performance real-time fieldbus communication directly down to every individual I/O point—digital, analog, and safety alike—without relying on outdated intermediary layers.

At their core, Beckhoff PLCs are industrial PCs. They achieve real-time performance through kernel-level drivers that execute beneath the operating system. Unlike traditional controllers, these industrial PCs run a full OS—either Windows or Beckhoff’s own TwinCAT/BSD, a Unix-based operating system derived from FreeBSD. This architecture allows the controller to handle both automation and IT tasks simultaneously, such as hosting a web server that can function as an HMI, enabling powerful integration between control and information systems.