Phoenix Contact partners with Yaskawa on new PLC platform

Phoenix Contact and Yaskawa, a manufacturer of motion control, robotics and variable speed drives, have agreed to form a partnership to develop a new programmable logic controller platform.

The companies say they will utilise PLCnext technology from Phoenix Contact in the development of the next-generation machine controller and PLC platform, realising the i3-Mechatronics solution concept lead by Yaskawa.

The common goal of both companies is to offer an open and futureproof ecosystem for industrial automation. In this context, Phoenix Contact has licensed its PLCnext runtime environment to Yaskawa and agreed on further joint developments.

Yaskawa sees PLCnext as the most open industrial automation software platform available today, combining IEC61131-3 programming, modern programming languages, safety hardware, and software and control system security. It will use PLCnext technology to further enhance and develop its machine control product offering.

PLCnext Technology is an open ecosystem for industrial automation from Phoenix Contact. With the combination of open control technology, modular engineering software and online community, the solution is said to enable easy adaptation to changing requirements and efficient use of existing and future software services.

Together with a digital marketplace for software and systematic cloud integration, Phoenix Contact says PLCnext is able to meet the challenges of the IoT world.

“I am pleased that we are now further intensifying our longstanding, trusting business relationship and expanding our partnership in the field of industrial control technology,” said Bruno Schnekenburger, CEO and President of Yaskawa Europe.

Ulrich Leidecker, President of Business Area Industrial Management and Automation at Phoenix Contact, said: “The openness of the PLCnext ecosystem enables a highly flexible, safe and modern automation technology.

“The technology partnership with Yaskawa is a milestone for the automation industry because the more partners act in an open automation ecosystem, the more valuable it becomes for each individual participant.”

“When PLCnext Technology is combined with the proven motion control engine and robust controller hardware from Yaskawa, it will create a control platform that is open, flexible and powerful, all based on proven PLCopen toolboxes for logic control, machine control and control of delta and articulated arm robots,” according to John Payne, Senior Vice President of Motion for Yaskawa America. “This new platform will combine control for logic, motion and robotics with solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. It will also enhance the control product offering from Yaskawa with solutions for network safety and control system security.”