The ST_Sistema_Result output provides:
Example check in code:
IF eStop_Result.PL < SISTEMA_PL.PL_D THEN
bSafetyViolation := TRUE;
// Trigger a diagnostic message or prevent machine start
END_IF
If five engineers write a CASE state machine, you will have five different styles. If they all use FB_StateMachine, they share a common interface. This reduces the learning curve and improves maintainability. It also forces good practices like separating the state management from the action logic.
Redundancy requires bumpless switching. If both PLCs think they are the Leader, you have a "Split Brain" scenario, which will destroy your actuators.
A common architecture:
Do not put step logic directly inside the RUNNING state case. Instead, call the step chain’s Execute() method from the RUNNING state.
| Aspect | Rating (1–5) | |--------|---------------| | Reliability (if used correctly) | ⭐⭐⭐ | | Real-time safety | ⭐⭐ | | Documentation | ⭐⭐ (outdated examples) | | Security | ⭐ | | Modern compatibility | ⭐ (deprecated) |
Conclusion:
It’s a necessary evil for legacy systems, but avoid for new development. Use Tc3_System and dedicated libraries (Tc3_File, Tc3_EventLogger) for robust, real-time-safe applications.
If you have a specific use case (e.g., reading a config file once at boot, or monitoring CPU load), I can give you a safe implementation example.
Introduction
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library is a comprehensive software library developed by Beckhoff Automation, a leading provider of automation technology. The library is part of the TwinCAT 3 software suite, which is widely used in industrial automation, process control, and other fields. This paper provides an overview of the Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library, its features, and its applications.
Background
Beckhoff Automation was founded in 1980 in Verl, Germany. The company has since become a global leader in automation technology, providing innovative solutions for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, and more. In 2003, Beckhoff introduced the TwinCAT software suite, which revolutionized the automation industry with its integrated development environment (IDE) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) capabilities.
TwinCAT 3 System Library
The TwinCAT 3 System Library is a powerful software library that provides a wide range of functions and features for developing automation applications. The library is based on the .NET framework and offers a comprehensive set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for C++, C#, and other programming languages.
The System Library includes various modules and classes that enable developers to create sophisticated automation applications. Some of the key features of the library include:
Architecture
The TwinCAT 3 System Library is built on a modular architecture, which allows developers to easily integrate individual modules and classes into their applications. The library consists of several layers, including:
Applications
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library is widely used in various industries, including:
Benefits
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library offers several benefits to developers and users, including:
Conclusion
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library is a comprehensive software library that provides a wide range of functions and features for developing automation applications. The library's modular architecture, high-performance functions, and flexibility make it an ideal choice for developers and users in various industries. With its wide range of applications and benefits, the TwinCAT 3 System Library has become a leading software library in the automation industry.
Future Developments
Beckhoff Automation continues to develop and expand the TwinCAT 3 System Library, adding new features and functions to meet the evolving needs of the automation industry. Future developments are expected to include:
As the automation industry continues to evolve, the Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library is expected to remain a leading software library, providing developers and users with a comprehensive set of functions and features for developing innovative automation applications.
Beckhoff SISTEMA Library is a specialized data collection that simplifies the safety evaluation of automated systems using Beckhoff components. It allows engineers to import predefined safety parameters directly into the SISTEMA software
(Safety Integrity Software Tool for the Evaluation of Machine Applications), which is developed by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (IFA). 🛠️ Core Purpose
The library eliminates the need for manual data entry of complex safety values. It provides the mathematical proof required to comply with ISO 13849-1
, ensuring that a machine's safety functions meet the necessary Performance Level (PL) Key Benefits
Prevents manual entry errors for MTTFd, B10d, and DC values. Efficiency: Accelerates the documentation process for CE marking. Compliance:
Provides manufacturer-certified data for TwinSAFE and standard components.
Regularly maintained to include the latest Beckhoff hardware. 📦 What’s Included?
The library contains safety-related characteristic values for a wide range of Beckhoff hardware: TwinSAFE Logic:
Parameters for EL6910, KL6904, and other safety controllers. Digital I/O: Safety values for EL1904 (inputs) and EL2904 (outputs). Drive Technology: Data for AX5000 and AX8000 series with integrated safety. Electromechanical Components: B10d values for contactors and sensors where applicable. 🚀 How to Use It Obtain the latest file from the Beckhoff website (usually under "Download" > "Software" > "TwinSAFE"). Open SISTEMA and go to
Use the search function within SISTEMA to find specific Beckhoff part numbers (e.g., "EL1904"). Drag & Drop:
Pull the component into your project's safety function block. SISTEMA will automatically calculate the achieved
based on the library data and your architecture (Category 1-4). ⚠️ Important Considerations Mission Time:
Most values are based on a 20-year mission time; ensure your machine's maintenance cycle aligns. Version Control:
Always check if you are using the latest version of the library, as safety data can be updated based on new field testing. System Boundaries:
Introduction
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library is a comprehensive software library developed by Beckhoff Automation, a leading provider of automation technology. The library is part of the TwinCAT 3 software platform, which is used for developing and implementing automation solutions. The System Library provides a wide range of functions and interfaces that enable developers to access and control various system components, such as hardware, software, and network resources.
Overview
The TwinCAT 3 System Library offers a broad spectrum of features and functionalities that facilitate the development of automation applications. Some of the key aspects of the library include: beckhoff sistema library
Key Features
Some of the key features of the Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library include:
Benefits
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library offers several benefits to developers and users of automation solutions:
Conclusion
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 System Library is a powerful software library that provides a comprehensive set of functions and interfaces for developing automation solutions. Its wide range of features and functionalities make it an essential tool for developers and users of automation technology. With its focus on efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, the library helps to reduce development time and costs, while improving the overall performance and reliability of automation systems.
The Beckhoff SISTEMA Library contains the safety-related characteristic values (VDMA 66413 format) for Beckhoff's safety components, such as TwinSAFE modules, required for calculating the Performance Level (PL) of safety functions in the SISTEMA software. Download and Documentation Links
You can find the official SISTEMA data and related safety documentation through the following sources:
SISTEMA Library Files: Beckhoff provides a dedicated directory for SISTEMA XML files and library data.
Download SISTEMA Library Data (Direct directory access for VDMA 66413 files).
Beckhoff Information System (Infosys): This is the central repository for all technical manuals, including safety application notes and component data sheets. Beckhoff Information System - Safety Section
TwinSAFE Project Design: General overview of how to design safety projects using TwinSAFE and SISTEMA. TwinSAFE Project Design Documentation How to Use the Library
Download the XML Files: Access the Beckhoff Download Finder or the SISTEMA directory and download the .xml or .slb library files. Import to SISTEMA: Open the SISTEMA software on your PC. Navigate to Edit > Libraries.
Click Import and select the Beckhoff VDMA 66413 XML file you downloaded.
Select Components: Once imported, you can drag and drop Beckhoff safety components (like EL6900 or EL1904) into your safety function project to automatically populate their safety parameters (MTTFd, B10d, etc.).
The Beckhoff SISTEMA library is a critical tool for safety engineers, providing pre-calculated reliability data for components. This data is imported into the SISTEMA software
(Safety Integrity Software Tool for the Evaluation of Machine Applications) to calculate the Performance Level (PL) of a safety function according to DIN EN ISO 13849-1. 🛡️ Key Functions
Enables modeling of safety functions before or after realization. Reliability Data: Provides parameters like cap M cap T cap T cap F sub d cap B sub 10 d end-sub cap D cap C sub a v g end-sub for Beckhoff safety hardware. Validation:
Outputs the final achieved Performance Level (PL) to ensure regulatory compliance. 🚀 How to Use the SISTEMA Library Get the latest Beckhoff SISTEMA library file (usually ) from the Beckhoff website Open the SISTEMA software and use the Library Manager to import the Beckhoff file.
Drag and drop Beckhoff safety components (e.g., EL6910 logic, EL1904 inputs) into your safety function project. Calculate:
The software automatically uses the library's product data to calculate the overall system reliability. 🛠️ TwinSAFE & SISTEMA Integration
While SISTEMA is a separate calculation tool, it works hand-in-hand with engineering: TwinSAFE Logic: Program your safety logic in TwinCAT. The ST_Sistema_Result output provides:
Validate that the hardware configuration meets the required PL (e.g., PL d or PL e). Documentation:
Use SISTEMA's generated reports as part of your machine's official safety file. Pro-Tips for Safety Engineering Always Check Versions:
Ensure your library version matches your hardware revision for accurate cap M cap T cap T cap F sub d External Components:
Remember to also download SISTEMA libraries for 3rd-party sensors (light curtains, e-stops) used with Beckhoff I/O. Automation: TwinSAFE Loader
if you need to download safety projects without the full TwinCAT environment. If you'd like, I can help you: exact download link for the latest library. Explain how to calculate Performance Level (PL) for a specific hardware setup. Walk through the TwinSAFE configuration steps in TwinCAT 3. Let me know which safety component you're working on! TwinSAFE project design | Beckhoff Worldwide
Here’s a short, illustrative story about the Beckhoff Sistema Library, written for a technical but narrative audience.
Title: The Ghost in the Logic
In the control room of the North Sea Wind Hub, lead automation engineer Mira stared at a single red tile on her HMI. For three days, the emergency stop circuit on Turbine 7 had been triggering at random—no pattern, no operator error, just chaos.
“It’s not the hardware,” muttered Jens, her technician, holding a multimeter. “We’ve swapped relays, checked every button. It’s like a ghost.”
Mira opened TwinCAT 3 and scrolled through her safety logic. It was clean. Too clean. Standard functions: two-hand controls, light curtains, e-stop monitoring. But the random trip persisted.
Then she remembered the Beckhoff Sistema Library.
She’d installed it months ago but never used it—a library of pre-certified safety function blocks, direct from the TwinCAT 3 Safety toolbox. “Sistema” wasn’t just a name; it was a reference to the EN ISO 13849-1 standard, the holy book of functional safety.
“Jens, stop checking wires. We’re not debugging hardware. We’re debugging logic architecture.”
She dragged a new function block into her safety project: SF_EmergencyStop from the Tc2_Safety_Sistema library. Unlike her manual logic, this block was pre-calculated with performance level (PLr) and category data. It contained built-in cross-circuit detection, input debouncing, and restart interlock—all validated by TÜV.
She replaced her custom “AND gate + timer” mess with the Sistema block. Then she added SF_Antivalent for the dual-channel sensor on the nacelle door.
Download. Re-login to safety controller. Reset.
The turbine started. One hour. Two hours. Twelve hours. No trip.
“What did you do?” Jens asked.
Mira pointed to her screen. “I stopped writing safety logic like it was a hobby. I started using a library that has already been proven safe by thousands of machines. The ghost wasn’t a bug. The ghost was my own human mistake.”
From that day, every safety application in the wind farm—from the hydraulic pitch systems to the service lift—used the Beckhoff Sistema Library. Not because it was fancy. Because it turned a “maybe safe” into a “certifiably safe” in three mouse clicks.
And the ghost? It never returned.
Moral: In industrial safety, trust the certified blocks, not your cleverness. The Beckhoff Sistema Library is not just code—it’s a proof that someone else already paid for the mistake you’re about to make. Example check in code: IF eStop_Result