Beckhoff to showcase cabinet-free automation and flexible motion technology at PPMA 2026
Automation and control technology specialist Beckhoff UK will exhibit at the PPMA Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from September 22 to 24, 2026. Visitors to Stand F40 will see demonstrations of technologies designed to help machine builders create more compact, flexible and easily adaptable machinery, while giving end users greater freedom to respond to changing production requirements.
A central focus will be the MX-System, Beckhoff’s unique, modular approach to cabinet-free automation. The system brings functions including control, I/O and drive technology together on a robust IP65 baseplate, with power and data distributed through integrated busbars. Its plug-and-play construction can simplify machine installation and make systems easier to reconfigure when production requirements change.
For machine builders, this offers an alternative to designing and wiring a conventional control cabinet for every machine. It can reduce complexity during machine construction while making subsequent expansion or modification more straightforward for the end user.
Beckhoff’s flexible transport technologies have been popular demonstrations at previous PPMA shows and will be showcased again at this year’s event. A hygienic version of the XTS linear transport system combines independently controlled movers with a stainless-steel, washdown-ready design, making it particularly suited to food, beverage and other applications where regular cleaning is essential. XPlanar will demonstrate an alternative approach using magnetic levitation, allowing products to move contact-free across planar tiles without fixed mechanical paths.
Visitors will also be able to see Beckhoff’s expanding drive portfolio, including the compact AX1000 servo drives and new AF1000 variable frequency drives. Designed for applications that do not require the capabilities of a high-end servo system, the range gives machine builders a more cost-effective option for applications such as conveyors, belts and fans.
“Machine builders are being asked to deliver greater flexibility without continually adding more hardware, wiring and complexity,” explained Mark Richards, UK sales manager at Beckhoff UK. “That is really the thread running through what we are showing at PPMA this year.
“The MX-System is a good example because it changes the way you can approach the physical design of the machine itself. Alongside technologies such as XTS and XPlanar, it gives engineers more freedom to build machinery that can be adapted as production requirements evolve.”
The stand will also feature a two-axis pick-and-place demonstration developed with UK linear motion specialist, HepcoMotion, alongside Beckhoff’s latest motion control, industrial PC, Linux-based control and compact vision technologies.
Visitors will be able to see the systems operating live and speak with the Beckhoff UK team about how the technologies could be applied to packaging, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and wider processing applications.
To arrange a meeting with Beckhoff UK ahead of the show, or to find out more about its automation solutions, contact the team on +44 (0)1491 410539 or email events@beckhoff.co.uk.
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