{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-21/beckhoff-automation-af1000-vfd-launch","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-21/beckhoff-automation-af1000-vfd-launch.md","title":"Beckhoff Automation Launches AF1000 Economy VFD","headline":"Beckhoff Automation Enters VFD Market With AF1000 Economy Drive for Industrial Motors","description":"Beckhoff Automation launched the AF1000 economy VFD, covering about 90% of motor types with dual-axis models.","section":"Product Launches","published_at":"2026-10-21T08:47:36+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-21T08:47:36+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Beckhoff Automation introduced the AF1000 series economy variable frequency drives, covering about 90 per cent of motor types on the market.","The AF1000 offers dual-axis models that connect two motors to a single drive, plus one built-in output and seven inputs including a temperature sensor input.","Safety options include Functional Safety over EtherCAT and hardwired safety, with Safe Torque Off and Safe Stop 1 modes."],"companies":[{"name":"Beckhoff Automation","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0009krm/beckhoff-automation","website":"https://www.beckhoff.de"}],"source":{"publisher":"Mirage News","title":"Beckhoff Automation Enters VFD Era With New Economy Drive","url":"https://www.miragenews.com/beckhoff-automation-enters-vfd-era-with-new-1764100/"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Product Launches","Beckhoff Automation"],"body_markdown":"[Beckhoff Automation](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0009krm/beckhoff-automation) has introduced the AF1000 series economy variable frequency drives, entering the VFD market and filling a gap in its motion portfolio. The drives cover about 90 per cent of motor types on the market, including asynchronous, synchronous and reluctance motors, and are aimed at cost-sensitive industrial applications. [Mirage News](https://www.miragenews.com/beckhoff-automation-enters-vfd-era-with-new-1764100/) reported the launch on October 21, 2026.\n\n## What the AF1000 Drive Offers\n\nHarry Mulder, Motion Product Specialist at Beckhoff Automation Australia, said the move into VFDs lets the company serve an important segment of the industrial automation market. \"By adding the AF1000 to our portfolio, we can now provide the drive along with our existing control, I/O and TwinCAT technologies,\" he said. \"Importantly, EtherCAT connectivity comes as standard rather than being an optional extra, giving customers the opportunity to source more of their automation architecture from a single, trusted supplier.\"\n\nInduction motors are a key application for the range. \"Induction motors are ubiquitous. Customers often keep them on the shelf because they're one of the most commonly used items in an industrial plant,\" Mulder said. The AF1000 can also be used for small motor applications.\n\nDual-axis models allow two motors to be connected to a single drive and controlled independently. \"With dual-axis drives, customers don't need to purchase multiple VFD units, as is required with traditional single-axis drive set-ups,\" Mulder said. \"This translates to lower equipment purchase and maintenance costs, a smaller control panel footprint and simpler installation.\" The capability suits material handling and packaging, where machines often require numerous individually controlled motors.\n\nThe AF1000 offers one built-in output and seven inputs, including a temperature sensor input. Safety options include no integrated safety, Functional Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE), or FSoE combined with hardwired safety. Safety functionality includes Safe Torque Off (STO) and Safe Stop 1 (SS1) modes. \"Our safety systems support SS1 in addition to STO, which is a plus because it gives us controlled safety stops, rather than uncontrolled coasting,\" Mulder said.\n\n## Beckhoff's Global Footprint\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Beckhoff Automation operates in over 75 countries through subsidiaries and representatives, with its website available in more than 40 country and language versions. The same records list the company as a major player in the Building Automation Systems market alongside ABB, Honeywell and Crestron, and as a key market player in the Industrial Rack PC market alongside Advantech, Siemens AG and Schneider Electric.\n\n## Earlier Beckhoff Launches\n\nIn June 2026, Beckhoff Automation launched the AF1000 variable frequency drive, an economical option for fundamental drive tasks in material handling, pumping and air movement applications, IndexBox reported. In July 2026, the company presented its latest technologies at Automation Expo 2026 in Mumbai, highlighting control cabinet-free automation, intelligent motion control, energy management and modular machine design, Packaging South Asia reported. In June 2026, Travel And Tour World reported that AUTOMATE 2026, a robotics, automation, AI and smart manufacturing exhibition, is scheduled to take place with Beckhoff Automation confirmed as an exhibitor.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}