Product Description:

The CX2020-0185 from Beckhoff belongs to the CX Embedded PC Systems series and is intended for DIN-rail installation inside machine control panels. As an embedded PC, it consolidates PLC, motion, and visualization tasks in a single compact housing, removing the need for separate controllers. Coupled with Beckhoff’s EtherCAT I/O terminals, the unit forms a scalable automation node that can coordinate drives, sensors, and fieldbus gateways directly on the production line.

Processing is carried out by an Intel Celeron 827E operating at 1.4 GHz, so deterministic scan cycles remain predictable even under visualization load. Its single-core design simplifies real-time scheduling and avoids cache coherency overhead. The board is equipped with 2 GB DDR3 RAM for logic execution and buffering, while a 20 GB CFast card stores the application, recipes, and operating system in shock-resistant solid-state media. TwinCAT 3 Runtime (XAR) runs on TwinCAT/BSD and uses 128 kB of NOVRAM for power-fail-safe variables. Passive cooling dissipates heat through the aluminum chassis, and 128 MB of shared graphics memory is reserved for local HMI screens without requiring a discrete GPU.

The device draws a maximum of 21 W, allowing it to share a low-current 24 VDC rail with sensors and compact drives. For field or supervisory links, it offers 2 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports, while maintenance tools and barcode scanners can attach through 4 x USB 2.0 sockets. A 1 x DVI-I connector provides single-cable access to digital or analog monitors for local display use. The cast housing carries an IP20 rating and measures 144 × 99 × 91 mm, so it fits between standard terminal blocks without crowding ventilation space. Front-access connectors also keep display and service connections available after the unit is mounted on the rail.