Reliable and flexible control systems are essential for system integrators, installers, and planners working in the entertainment industry. PC-based control from Beckhoff offers proven technology used worldwide, enabling them to tackle any creative challenge.
Whether it’s a whole theme park, intricate theatrical machinery, a series product, or a subproject for entertainment functions, Beckhoff’s proven PC-based automation technology is reliable and durable, guaranteeing excellent guest experiences around the clock.
Beckhoff, a global system provider, offers expertise in entertainment, AV, media technology, building automation, and machine control. With a workforce of 5,300 across 41 companies, Beckhoff reached a turnover of €1.17 billion in 2024.
It has a presence in over 75 countries, including key markets such as China and the US. This highlights its worldwide reach and industry leadership.
Why choosing the right PC-based control solution is key
Creating the best guest experience at theatres, music festivals, unique attractions, or other venues demands sophisticated control technology that operates reliably behind the scenes.
PC-based control solutions from Beckhoff are designed to meet these challenges, from motion control of stage machinery that can change a stage in seconds, to magical lighting effects synchronised with music, the animation of figures in theme parks, and effects in 4D and 5D cinemas – all the way to kinetic installations that engage with the audience.
“The performance of PC-based control technology and its extensive connectivity to different creative tools places nearly no limits on the control tasks that can be realized in the entertainment industry. The performance of Beckhoff technology has inspired many customer applications”, says Michel Matuschke, entertainment industry manager at Beckhoff Automation.
Beckhoff, as an automation specialist, serves as a “creativity to technology translator”. It bridges the gap between art and technology by assisting system integrators.
“With PC-based control, system integrators can assemble their control system in a modular way according to the performance, available installation space, and budget of the application,” adds Matuschke.
This is achievable by selecting from the scalable and modular Beckhoff product range. The range includes Industrial PCs, Control Panels, I/O components and advanced drive technology, as well as TwinCAT automation software for controlling entertainment and building technology.
EtherCAT, the Industrial Ethernet technology developed by Beckhoff, enables applications and systems to be faster, simpler, and more cost-effective.
Beckhoff speaks the language of the entertainment industry
Thanks to extensive connectivity options, all technical functions can be interconnected. In addition to supporting DMX, sACN, Art-Net, PosiStageNet, DALI, KNX/EIB, dimmers, and LED lighting control systems, system integrators also have access to all standard interfaces needed to connect AV and multimedia systems.
With support for SMPTE Timecode, PJLink, AES 70 (OCA), OSC, Crestron, and QSC, Beckhoff communicates the unique “languages” of this industry. This ensures that the most diverse devices and applications in the entertainment industry can be managed using standard control components.
A prime example is the collaboration with Riedel, whose communication systems are used in entertainment venues. System integrators can seamlessly incorporate Beckhoff components into the Riedel setup, and vice versa. Beckhoff supports the primary parts of Riedel’s RRCS protocol in TwinCAT, based on TwinCAT 3 TCP/IP. This facilitates communication with Riedel Artist and Bolero systems, allowing for the integration of Riedel SmartPanels.
The modularity and scalability of Beckhoff components enable system integrators to customise the technology to their specific requirements. Whether for small and medium applications or complex venues, the products can be assembled modularly based on performance needs, available space, and budget.
This adaptability allows for functional upgrades and control system modifications at any time, even during operation, ensuring high flexibility and control.
PC-based control solutions in action
Beckhoff technologies are capable of controlling components for 4D and 5D cinema effects, as well as for animatronics, kinetic objects, AV installations, movable water features, stage machinery, lighting effects, and more.
The team at Beckhoff has worked on a wide range of projects worldwide, utilising its cutting-edge technology. Examples of their work can be seen across the themed entertainment industry, from an Alterface 4D/5D interactive cinema in Wavre, Belgium, and a flying theatre project in collaboration with Simtec Systems in Germany, to a 3D dark ride at Fantawild Wuhu in China.
Fluidra S.A., in collaboration with Beckhoff, develops synchronised water, light, and music installations managed through PC-based automation. Using Beckhoff’s TwinCAT software, EtherCAT modules, and CP2216 Panel PCs, the systems ensure precise synchronisation of pumps, nozzles, lights, and audio. Fluidra plans the choreography with 3D DMX software, translating sequences into control signals for the installations.
Notable projects include the Font dels Colors fountain in Andorra, as well as fountains in Barcelona, Argentina, and Turkey. The Font dels Colors, developed with local architects and builders, combines technology with sustainability by recycling river water and using UV filtration instead of chemicals.
These installations showcase the seamless integration of artistic design, state-of-the-art automation, and ecological responsibility, setting new standards for urban water displays.
An iconic installation
Beckhoff also played a crucial role in creating the kinetic sculpture known as the Kinetic Rain at Singapore’s Changi Airport. This project demonstrates the power of EtherCAT in synchronising complex movements. The iconic installation in Terminal 1 utilises an impressive 1,216 servo axes to animate 1,216 raindrop-shaped elements. This produces fluid, mesmerising patterns in real-time.
Each raindrop element is connected to a servo motor, allowing for precise control of its vertical movement. Using the EtherCAT communication protocol, the control system can synchronise all 1,216 servos with millisecond accuracy.
This level of synchronisation is crucial to attain the smooth, wave-like movements that characterise the installation’s elegance and rhythm as it shifts between various pre-programmed sequences.
The EtherCAT high-speed data transfer allows the system to manage the enormous load of processing and adjusting movements for thousands of servo axes simultaneously, enabling the sculpture to move in perfect harmony.
Beckhoff TwinCAT software provides the necessary platform for programming and orchestrating movement sequences. Therefore, the designers could create intricate animations that are both visually captivating and mechanically flawless.
This installation enhances the ambience of Changi Airport. It has also become an iconic attraction in its own right, captivating millions of travellers annually.
High-tech meets heritage
At Hangzhou’s national pavilion, a Beckhoff PC-based control system, in collaboration with Zhejiang Dafeng Industry, powers an impressive installation.
Zhejiang Dafeng Industry created an intelligent folding celadon wall system that blends cultural heritage with contemporary automation. Inspired by the renowned Song dynasty painting “A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains, ” this installation features 251 large wall panels. These are also adorned with 70,000 handcrafted tiles.
The walls can fold like a traditional screen or smoothly align into a flat mural, requiring movements with millimetre accuracy.
To manage the weight and fragility of the ceramic panels, Dafeng employed Beckhoff’s PC- and EtherCAT-based control system with CX2040 Embedded PCs, TwinCAT 3 software, and synchronised servo drives.
The system combines motion control, safety (SIL 3 certified), and real-time synchronisation across more than 100 servo axes. This ensures smooth, safe, and precise operation. EtherCAT redundancy and anti-vibration algorithms further improve reliability.
The result is an installation that combines state-of-the-art automation, cultural artistry, and safety. It functions as both a technological showcase and a tribute to Chinese heritage.
PC-based control for live entertainment
Scalable control technology from Beckhoff has even breathed new life into some iconic stage and show productions. For example, the Broadway hit musical Hamilton.
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) at the World Trade Center campus features highly adaptable theatre spaces with over 60 different configurations. To facilitate smooth adjustments of walls, floors, and stage equipment, The Chicago Flyhouse, Inc. installed a modular automation system. This is driven by Beckhoff’s PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology.
The system employs a distributed “MoM-and-Kid” architecture, consisting of over 30 portable modules, each equipped with a CX9020 Embedded PC. These modules control hoists and rigging equipment. EtherCAT and TwinCAT software enable real-time motion control, functional safety through TwinSAFE, and dynamic reconfiguration. This setup allows walls and equipment to adapt safely as spaces merge or split.
This modular, future-proof approach guarantees reliability, safety, and flexibility while reducing wiring and minimising downtime. PAC NYC combines advanced automation technology with artistic vision to create immersive experiences that align with the theatre’s mission of fostering community healing and cultural expression.
Meet the experts at IAAPA Expo Europe 2025
In their pursuit of creating the perfect guest experience, themed entertainment operators are discovering the power of Beckhoff’s PC-based control systems. These systems combine precise control with an open, scalable structure. Thus enabling operators to enhance interactivity, responsiveness, and efficiency – essential for meeting modern guest expectations.
Beckhoff technologies enable designers to easily incorporate multimedia, complex motion, and environmental effects, pushing creative limits. At the same time, their reliability guarantees consistent and high-quality performance.
“In the various entertainment projects that our customers have successfully implemented around the world in recent years, it has become clear that PC-based control is the perfect automation solution for an industry that constantly needs to outperform itself – or the competition – in order to offer new attractions,” says Matuschke.
“Beckhoff is an economically sound, family-owned global player that has been growing harmoniously and organically for over 45 years. Our customers can count on future-oriented concepts and components with long-term availability. This gives them that all-important step ahead of their competitors.”
Ultimately, Beckhoff is dedicated to open automation. It supports a seamless integration of various technologies that allows operators to create cohesive and immersive environments. As industry innovation progresses, Beckhoff solutions provide a strong foundation, enabling operators to deliver memorable guest experiences that set new benchmarks in themed entertainment.
Meetings can be arranged with Michel Matuschke and his team at IAAPA Expo Europe via email. IAAPA Expo Europe 2025 will take place in Barcelona from 22 to 26 September. The Beckhoff booth is located in Hall 2, booth #1271.
Click here to discover how to create ultimate guest experiences with PC-based control technology from Beckhoff.
