Software-Defined Control Cabinet - Reprogramming Instead of Replacing

Flexible and reconfigurable production systems are composed of modules which fulfil a defined functionality and can operate within predetermined use cases. Some of these modules are fully integrated cyber-physical systems, others require electrical components located in control cabinets. Exchanging or adapting their functionality is limited, complex and typically requires manual effort due to hard-wired hardware and application-specific software. A new concept for control cabinets, designed as cyber-physical systems and based on reconfigurable hardware (FPGA) with flexible interfaces, is presented in this paper. The new approach overcomes existing limitations, offers more adaptability, reusability and extends the lifetime of the modules. Furthermore, the concept allows a seamless integration in a software-defined manufacturing environment. First results and experiences are based on a servo-controller which is extended with new features for an adaptive PWM by following the new design approach.