The ESX control system family from STW in Kaufbeuren, Germany, includes robust and powerful safety and non-safety control units. The ESX.3cs is part of this family and a particularly compact solution for smaller machines. It can equally be used as an auxiliary control unit in more complex system architectures. The robust die-cast aluminum housing with automotive connector houses a fast 32-bit microcontroller with 4 MB Flash and 8 MB SRAM, up to two CAN interfaces, one serial interface, Ethernet, LIN and two LEDs. The control unit is suitable for safety related applications up to Performance Level PL d or Safety Integrity Level SIL 2. The application software for the ESX.3cs can be created in C, CODESYS V3.5 or logi.CAD.

Machine manufacturers who already use HAWE valves, the HAWE Programmable Logic Valve Control (PLVC), and the corresponding HAWE Visual Tool can now work with familiar resources on STW’s ESX.3cs. Those who know the HAWE programming environment can activate and use the HAWE Layer on the STW control unit. Among a range of benefits, machine manufacturers and service technicians can work with HAWE’s Visual Tool: an intuitive visual user interface for tuning and optimizing the interplay between joystick, controller and hydraulic valves in real time. No programming knowledge is required for this. Service and maintenance technicians can utilize the monitoring and diagnostic functions of the Visual Tool in the field.

The HAWE Layer is primarily aimed at programming with C, CODESYS or logi.CAD 3. There is no need for complex interaction with the comprehensive control system BIOS. Development of complex programming tasks is simplified and streamlined. In other words, the engineering process is optimized thanks to the close interaction of HAWE and STW hardware and the merging of the application software. Machine manufacturers who use STW automation technology and HAWE hydraulic components will see the most significant benefits.

Further, customers of STW and HAWE can access these functionalities via STW’s central lifecycle tool openSYDE. Thus, all functionalities are available in one centralized place.  The HAWE Layer and the Visual Tool are available for use free of charge.