Brandon Snell How the MX-System empowers modern manufacturers with low-maintenance, high efficiency automation hardware that reduces machine footprint and energy consumption The MX-System is the first hardware platform to achieve completely control cabinet-free automation for machines and systems © Beckhoff Send your control cabinets on a permanent vacation Most components in traditional machine control systems require large enclosures filled with power supplies, I/O terminals, and other automation hardware. These cabinets eat up valuable floor space, restrict layout options, and often require additional cooling equipment that consumes even more space—and energy. For end users, this translates into up to 90% reduction in control system footprint, which opens up new opportunities to optimize machine placement, add production capacity, or simply create a cleaner, safer work environment. In facilities where floor space is limited—or where machines need to be mobile—this kind of space savings can be transformational. In this 14-meter-long Schirmer machine for PVC window profile processing, all previously required control cabinets were replaced with the MX-System. © Beckhoff Maximize uptime with reliable, plug-and-play performance If anything does go wrong after these preventative measures, real-time diagnostics via an MX-System app from Beckhoff make it easy to pinpoint the exact source of issues for quick resolution. There’s no need to open panel doors, trace wires, or interpret a maze of custom schematics across dozens of pages in a binder. Technicians can access actionable data right from the control software, minimizing guesswork and reducing mean time to repair (MTTR). In short, your team will spend less time troubleshooting and fixing machines—and more time running them. Sustainable power consumption, lower energy costs Reduced energy consumption by removing unnecessary cooling equipment Whether you’re aiming to meet corporate sustainability goals or just looking for ways to reduce monthly operating costs, the MX-System helps make energy efficiency easy and measurable. Even better, the decentralized nature of the MX-System means you can migrate to cabinet-free automation over time. The MX-System is also able to connect with the entire Beckhoff portfolio of hardware and software solutions. Hybrid systems that blend cabinet-free automation and traditional control cabinets are possible. EtherCAT networking assures multi-protocol interoperability for almost any hardware you can think of connecting with the MX-System in brownfield or greenfield facilities. Built to thrive in rough environments Machines often don’t operate in clean, temperature-controlled buildings, hot, dusty, or damp conditions can be more commonplace. Whether it’s a food production facility with airborne particles, a scrap-collecting corner of a metalworking shop, or a tight spot on a mobile production line, control hardware needs to show up for duty no matter the environment. That’s why the MX-System is IP67-rated, offering robust protection against dust, moisture, and harsh temperatures. Instead of hiding control gear in protected cabinets, you can install the MX-System right where it’s needed—on the machine, right in the process and on the factory floor. This not only saves space but also improves accessibility and shortens cable runs, making machines easier to install and maintain. Cabinet-free automation delivers—just like you’re expected to Whether you’re tasked with managing a single production line or an entire plant, the MX-System helps you get more out of every square foot of floor space, every watt of power, and every minute of production. Brandon Snell is the MX-System Product Manager at Beckhoff Automation