5.4. voraus.app //EtherCAT

voraus.app //EtherCAT running as addon to the voraus.core

Fig. 91 voraus.app //EtherCAT running as addon to the voraus.core

The voraus.app //EtherCAT (see Fig. 91) enables you to automate your industrial process with EtherCAT and Python.

Find a detailed explanation of the voraus.app //EtherCAT here.

The voraus EtherCAT master is a stand-alone application that communicates with EtherCAT devices. By relying on ENI (EtherCAT Network Information) files, network configurations of varying complexity can be managed by the EtherCAT master. Devices can then be controlled using the integrated OPC UA server.

The python API of the voraus.app //EtherCAT simplifies this further. To leverage code completion and type hinting, the integrated code generator can be used to create access classes. The user can then develop higher level abstractions or use them directly.

By utilizing a dockerized deployment, integrating the voraus EtherCAT master into existing environments and systems is straightforward.

Benefits

  • Replace the PLC – No expert PLC knowledge is required. Automate your processes directly in Python. Leverage millions of available programmers for your next automation project.

  • Development Tooling – Benefit from modern IDEs, code completion, and version control instead of relying on outdated, heavy weight PLC environments.

  • Docker Support – Simplified and fast deployment across different environments and systems.

  • Testing and deployment – Increased reliability by testing your applications and automations in CI/CD (Continuous Integration & Deployment).

  • Compatibility – Use standardized EtherCAT Network Information (ENI) file descriptions and control EtherCAT devices from any vendor

Note

Information about the EtherCAT network must be loaded into the master using an ENI file. The master needs a dedicated network interface on its deployed environment to communicate with the EtherCAT devices. The realtime performance of the master directly depends on the realtime performance of the target system. Your usecase might require a kernel with the PREEMPT_RT patchset applied. Don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance or if you have a specific target system in mind.