Introducing Beckhoff’s No-Code AI Application Development Platform

Beckhoff has announced that its TE3850 TwinCat 3 Machine Learning Creator will be available for purchase by the end of the second quarter of 2025. This tool leverages machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create models from existing machine performance data. Ultimately, this model creator will save time and effort, allowing processes to be optimized quickly and automatically. 

Beckhoff's TE3850 TwinCat 3 Machine Learning Creator’s logo: combining brain power with machine power. Image used courtesy of Beckhoff

TwinCAT 3 Machine Learning Creator

The TE3850 TwinCat 3 Machine Learning Creator can analyze a set of data and develop a model that can be deployed to control hardware. This model is based on the input and output parameters of real equipment, as well as any process control variables that impact production. 

Rather than having a team of engineers scratch their heads and spend countless hours pouring over data sets and looking for patterns, the TE3850 uses AI to make sense of the data. It is designed to save hours of engineering brain power so that engineers can focus on even more complex problems. Because AI is good at detecting patterns and subtle signals from noise, it can detect and perform statistical analysis on these datasets much more quickly than a team of humans could perform the same calculations. This frees up engineers to look at more multifaceted problems instead.

The TwinCAT 3 Machine Learning Creator can be used with Beckhoff’s industrial PCs. Image used courtesy of Beckhoff

AI Model Creation

Furthermore, the TE3850 can be tweaked and optimized as new data becomes available. This is a huge advantage over having to perform these calculations in standard data analysis software. The new, optimized models are updated quickly and then uploaded to the physical hardware on the shop floor. 

Based on the model inputs, outputs, and process parameters, the TE3850 can also generate standardized reports. This is particularly useful for the engineer who starts their shift by reviewing the happenings of the shift before. Rather than manually parsing through data or relying on information at shift passdown, an automated report is in their inbox, waiting for review.

Technical Details

When this software is released, it will function on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Linux-based systems, meaning it will work in most industrial environments. In terms of optimization, the TE3850 is designed so that models will run seamlessly on other Beckhoff hardware, such as industrial PCs or TwinCat products. However, besides working on Beckhoff hardware, the TE3850 makes standard ONNX models, which can also be used on other systems.

The TE3850 TwinCat 3 Machine Learning Creator opens up AI to nonexperts. Image used courtesy of Beckhoff

Developing AI Applications

The Beckhoff TE3850 TwinCat 3 Machine Learning Creator has the advantage that users don’t need to spend hours programming controllers or learning a new coding language. Also, the user does not have to be familiar with all of the fancy statistical tools out there, be a black belt in statistical process control (SPC), or be an expert in just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. They can give the data to the software tool, let it crank through the data to find the important knobs to turn, and then send the model to the controllers. From there, the user can simply spot-check the model, feed it more data, and update it as needed. This is a great way to bring new technicians into the automation workforce without requiring them to have extensive training.