Click on a headline or image below to learn more about a given new product.
Embedded Communication Module for Tight Spaces
Hilscher has introduced the new comX 90CN, an embedded communication module designed to provide secure, multi-protocol industrial communication in devices with limited installation space. Unlike the standard comX 90, the comX 90CN does not include pre-installed network connectors. Instead, manufacturers can position the physical network interfaces directly on their own device baseboard. This design provides greater flexibility when developing compact field devices, drives, robots, and other industrial automation equipment. The comX 90CN gives device manufacturers greater freedom to design products around their mechanical requirements. By moving the network interfaces to the device baseboard, manufacturers can optimize connector placement, reduce space requirements, and simplify integration while maintaining the proven comX 90 technology.
IO-Link Hub for Analog Signals
TURCK is expanding its Efficiency Line with the TBIL-EMN-8AX IO-Link hub for analog signals. The eight universal channels can be configured as analog inputs for 0–10 V, 4–20 mA, or 0–25 mA; as analog outputs, or as digital inputs. A single module thus acquires and controls analog signals. Machine builders can standardize on a single device type, reducing development effort, spare parts requirements, and system costs. Via the IO-Link interface, an IO-Link master connects up to 64 analog channels per IP address. Applications include battery cell production, data centers, and intralogistics.
Inductive Sensor Detects Double Sheets on One Side
With the NI5DS, TURCK introduces an inductive double-sheet sensor that detects double-fed sheets from one side. This reduces cycle time because robots do not have to transport the sheets to an additional inspection station. The sensor can be adjusted for all types of metal and various sheet thicknesses, allowing it to be adapted to the specific application. The NI5DS transmits measured values and configuration data via IO-Link and can be connected to any IO-Link master. Users set the material, sheet thickness, and switching thresholds via the IODD and switch between normally open and normally closed functions.
Location-Tracking Data Available to AI Agents
Flowcate has launched DeepHub Agents. It exposes DeepHub, the first omlox-certified hub, as agent-ready tools via MCP, the open protocol AI applications use to connect to external data and tools. Technology interoperability has always been the core idea behind DeepHub. omlox makes location data interoperable across positioning technologies and vendors. MCP makes it usable across AI models and platforms. Together they prevent lock-in on both sides: companies can choose their locating infrastructure and their AI tools independently.
Door Control Systems with PROFINET
FEIG is expanding its TST RCCA portfolio with new PROFINET communication solutions for industrial door and access control applications. Thanks to direct integration into the plant control system, operators benefit from centralised monitoring of all door functions. The modular RCCA cards can be connected as expansion modules to FEIG TST FUx-class door controllers. The modules handle all PROFINET and PROFIsafe communication and provide standardized interfaces for engineering and commissioning. With PROFIenergy, all variants also support intelligent energy management through demand-based control of door systems. Up to 4 IO-Link inputs are also available for easy integration of smart devices into flexible installation concepts. These IO-Link participants can also be parameterized from a central location.
A Deterministic Safety Monitor for Industrial AI
Integrating AI into factory automation systems creates a mixed criticality challenge: running non-deterministic software in equipment with dependability and availability characteristics. The High Integrity Systems team at InES ZHAW approaches this challenge with the HOLD framework. Acting as an independent safety cage, HOLD verifies AI outputs against real-world machine limits and automatically intercepts invalid commands before they reach physical equipment. The first demonstrator highlights HOLD as an AI cage protecting against rogue AI actions in industrial pump control and health monitoring, where AI-defined machine health and control commands are verified and safely transmitted as validated status, alarm, and control signals using a mix of PROFINET and PROFIsafe and OPC-UA technologies. The second demonstrator showcases hard real-time network security, utilizing AI-driven packet analysis of PROFINET networks to detect creeping attacks on operational technology.
World’s First Safety Light Curtain for IO-Link Safety
With the safety light curtain PSENopt II Advanced from Pilz, users can benefit not only from the classic OSSD operating mode but also IO-Link Safety mode. PSENopt II Advanced is the world’s first safety light curtain to provide both live and single-beam data via its IO-Link Safety connectivity. This means that plants have higher availability and can be commissioned and maintained more quickly. The safety light curtain also offers an expanded function range: muting, blanking and reduced resolution enable smooth operational procedures.
Body-worn RTLS with omlox
AntennaWare, specialists in antennas for on-body and other difficult platforms, today announced that its BodyWave antennas have been specified in both the omlox Tags and the SFM11 UWB modules supplied by SynchronicIT, Netherlands-based specialists in UWB indoor location-tracking and the omlox open standard for industrial RTLS. The omlox tags are body-worn devices built on SynchronicITs omlox Tag stack, now with BodyWave included as standard. The SFM11 is a UWB module for integration into third-party PCBs, also specifying BodyWave, and is available as part of SychronicIT’s evaluation kit alongside omlox satellites.