The future of flexible transport: PPS Automation demonstrates Beckhoff XPlanar in action
At PPS Automation, we continuously test and document new technologies to meet our customers’ demand for intelligent, flexible automation. One of the most innovative systems currently on the market is Beckhoff XPlanar – a magnetically levitating transport solution that combines unrestricted motion with exceptional precision.
In our latest internal demo, we built a fully operational XPlanar setup, featuring a “flying” plate – known as a mover – that moves across a flat surface. The mover is programmed with its own route and task, fully synchronized and controlled via Beckhoff’s TwinCAT software.
Why is XPlanar a game-changer?
XPlanar fundamentally redefines transport and product handling by offering:
- No mechanical wear – contact-free movement between mover and base
- Maximum flexibility – full control over patterns, direction and speed
- Hygienic, particle-free transport – ideal for pharma and food environments
- Independent process control – each mover acts as a standalone batch or workstation
From a technical perspective, the system enables:
- 6 degrees of freedom – movers can move in X, Y, Z axes, tilt, rotate and float
- High speed and precision – up to 3 m/s and ≤ ±5 µm repeatability
- Modular scalability – configure tiles and movers for different payloads and product sizes
- Minimal maintenance – no friction, no mechanical guides
This makes XPlanar ideal for batch-size 1, high-mix production and agile pharmaceutical manufacturing — where short changeovers, precise control and traceability are essential.
Beckhoff XPlanar demo – in practice
To explore the possibilities of XPlanar, our team developed a working demo showing real-world performance. Key features include:
- Dynamic movement patterns and real-time zone switching
- Precise individual control and stop functions
- Built-in potential for robot or vision integration
🎥 The video also gives a look behind the scenes at how PPS Automation works with rapid prototyping and solution testing.