Motion and logic control integrated in new machine controllers
RELATED PRODUCTS
PRODUCT INFORMATION
MANUFACTURED BY Trio Motion Technology
RELEASE DATE
September 16, 2025
CATEGORY
Controllers
Trio Motion Technology has introduced controllers in new Trio Motion-PLC range, combining motion control over EtherCAT with logic and I/O expansion to support machine development and configuration.
The initial models in the range, available to order, are the MCS 30, MCS 40 and MCS 50 controllers. They support up to eight axes over high-speed EtherCAT.
The controllers include up to two Ethernet ports with fieldbus support for HMI and upstream devices, including Modbus TCP, PROFINET I/O and Ethernet I/P, along with I/O for machine connectivity.
The initial controllers in Trio’s Motion-PLC range support stand-alone and sub-machine applications such as pick-and-place, gantries, glue laying and flying shear.
The MCS 40 and MCS 50 use a multi-tasking operating system that runs motion and logic control in parallel. Motion control is provided by Trio’s Motion-iX engine, which includes pre-programmed functions for tasks ranging from point-to-point moves to multi-axis coordination.
Motion-PLC supports PLC languages compliant with the IEC 61131-3 standard and includes a PLCopen motion library. The MCS 40 and MCS 50 also support TrioBASIC, a high-level, English-based motion programming language. Trio provides its Motion Perfect software for programming and commissioning at no additional cost.
The Motion-PLC controllers support ‘click in’ I/O slices via the MS-Bus interface, Trio’s local communication protocol. They can accommodate up to 16 MS I/O slices in digital or analogue configurations. I/O capacity can be expanded to 1024 digital ports and 128 analogue ports using the MS EC I/O coupler, which connects EtherCAT and the MS-Bus system.
The initial controllers in Trio’s Motion-PLC range measure 100mm high, 75mm deep, and 23mm wide and can be mounted on machines or in cabinets. Additional models will support control of larger stand-alone machines. Designated all-in-one controllers, these models include a serial port, a flexible axis port and NPN or PNP on-board I/O.
The Motion-PLC controllers can be combined with Trio’s servo drives, motors and HMI to create a fully integrated, motion-first machine automation solution. Trio’s products are supported worldwide.
Trio Motion Technology
https://www.triomotion.com/public/products/motionplc/motionPLC.php
This Control Engineering article originally appeared on another WTWH Media publication, Design World on September 12, 2025.
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering
