i³ CONTROL – The New Automation Platform
April 11, 2023
With i³ CONTROL, Yaskawa is creating a completely new automation platform.
The special feature of this ecosystem, which was presented as a concept for the first time in mid-2022, is that it forms a technically coordinated overall solution for industry-specific controls – from the engineering software to the controller hardware to the integrated chip technology. And, in the future, beyond.
As a first anticipation of the continuously growing i³ CONTROL portfolio, the specially developed software environment – i³ Engineer – and the first machine controller of this new platform – the iC9210-PN – experienced their world premiere. Market launch was planned from the end of 2022.
i³ Engineer software environment
The i³ Engineer engineering software opens up the entire platform, which is characterized by openness, flexibility and scalability based on a Linux-based operating system. Programming languages according to IEC61131-3 and PLCopen function blocks are supported as well as the script languages C#, C++, Python or MATLAB Simulink. This opens up completely new possibilities for the development of individual applications, even in worldwide teams. At the same time, the software is precisely designed to match the respective scope of performance of the Yaskawa components. This means that the software always guides the user simply and reliably to the optimum solution for maximum performance, without the user having to know the relevant products in detail.
New PLC generation iC9210-PN
The first hardware product under the umbrella of the new platform is the iC9210-PN controller. It has a Profinet and an RS485 interface for smart and cost-effective connection of Yaskawa’s servo and frequency converters. HMIs can be connected via an OPC UA server. In addition, the PLC uses the modules of the proven System SLIO as I/O platform. This means that this controller is fully usable right from the start.
https://www.hannovermesse.de/en/news/news-articles/i-control-the-new-automation-platform