Modern machine builders face a growing challenge: while new engineers are increasingly familiar with languages such as Python, C++ and modern software frameworks, industrial machines still demand deterministic, safe and highly synchronized motion control. This is exactly where Festo AX Controls comes into play. It combines proven industrial automation with open software technologies and modern engineering approaches.
Built on PLCnext Technology, Festo AX Controls is an open automation platform that supports modern programming languages, third-party applications and a broad ecosystem of software components. Customers can extend functionality through apps from Festo, the PLCnext Store and other providers while maintaining seamless integration with industrial Ethernet protocols and existing automation environments.
Motion control without limits
When it comes to motion, Festo brings decades of application expertise into a software platform designed to scale from a single axis to highly dynamic multi-axis systems. Festo AX Controls Motion enables precise, flexible and safe motion control for applications ranging from packaging and printing machines to robotics, intralogistics, manufacturing and semiconductor equipment.
A key advantage is the seamless integration of Festo drives combined with an improved performance through PLCnext Technology integration. This allows machine builders to create synchronized motion solutions with high dynamics while reducing engineering effort.
CNC, robotics and synchronous motion
Festo AX Controls offers multiple motion approaches:
- CODESYS SoftMotion for broad motion, CNC and robotics applications – default path for most customer applications and well known in the market
- Movimento, based on the Festo Motion Kernel, for seamless Festo drive integration. Maximizes performance through native PLCnext Technology integration and extends automation beyond traditional IEC programming by supporting modern languages such as Python and C/C++.”
For machine builders, this means the freedom to choose the right engineering approach while benefiting from the same open automation platform.
Faster engineering through application packages
One of the highlights of the Festo ecosystem is the availability of ready-to-use motion application packages. Instead of building every motion sequence from scratch, engineers can leverage proven modules for:
- Palletizing
- Pick & Place
- Flying Saw
- Camming
- Joining
- Welding
- Contour Path applications
These reusable building blocks help reduce engineering effort, accelerate commissioning and shorten time-to-market.
Proven performance in the field
Real-world applications show the performance potential of Festo AX Controls. In a high-performance motion scenario, a customer uses a CEPE controller – the first IPC controller of the Festo AX controls family – together with CODESYS and the Festo Motion Package to synchronize more than 60 axes with cycle times in the low millisecond range, meeting demanding requirements for machine dynamics, synchronization and performance.
Join the Discussion
Whether you are developing robotic applications, implementing complex CNC systems or looking for ways to simplify recurring motion tasks, Festo AX Controls provides an open and scalable path forward. Combining modern software technologies with proven motion expertise, it helps machine builders bridge the gap between classical automation and the next generation of industrial software development.
What are your biggest motion control challenges today? Share your experiences and discuss them with the Community in the PLCnext Technology forum.
