AV Stumpfl and automation specialist Beckhoff Automation recently announced their technology partnership. The aim of the collaboration is the integration of automation components from Beckhoff into the new show control system, PIXERA control.
Beckhoff implements open automation systems using proven PC-based control technology. The main areas that its product range covers are industrial PCs, I/O and fieldbus components, drive technology, and automation software.
PIXERA control is a distributed, software-based integration and control framework that empowers users to seamlessly host new functionalities within the PIXERA media server system and to control all aspects of an extended project environment. Anything users create and integrate can be distributed across their connected systems and shares itself.
The new show control system was released only a few weeks ago. It enables specialist planners and system integrators to freely configure and create connections between a great number of AV and media technologies.
As a first step in this cooperation, four software-based module connections were successfully added to PIXERA control, which allow for a simple integration of digital, analog, serial, and DMX-based Beckhoff hardware-modules.
The module integration is based on the Beckhoff ADS (automation device specification) interface. Inputs for effects like light switches or photoelectric barriers, or analog inputs like control dials and encoders, as well as outputs for motors or switching relays, can be implemented within existing systems this way.
This ’plug and control’ approach lays the foundation for the flawless interaction of hardware and software components, which benefits system integrators right from the planning and specification phase of a project.
Helmut Protte, AV Stumpfl Global Business Development Manager, elaborates on the reasons for the cooperation: “Beckhoff is one the most important global players and trailblazers in the field of automation and control technologies. The international network of both our companies will allow architects, designers, specialist planners, and system integrators to benefit from the closer integration of our real-time media server systems. We can offer complete solutions not only for the AV installation market this way, but also for the AV entertainment sector. We have laid the foundation for a full integration, which will be further developed with an eye towards future trends.”
Michel Matuschke, Industry Manager for the entertainment industry at Beckhoff, underlines further advantages of the cooperation: “A decisive advantage of PC-based control technologies from Beckhoff is the openness and support for all relevant entertainment industry interfaces. In addition to integrating DMX, sACN, and Art-Net™, for example, we can now also offer our customers the seamless integration of PIXERA control for real-time media processing.”
Visitors to the ISE 2022 trade show, which will be taking place from February 1–4 in Barcelona, can learn more about the integration of PC-based control technology into PIXERA control.
AV Stumpfl: Hall 3, booth B600
Beckhoff: Hall 5, booth N700
