The picture shows the inside of an industrial production machine for semiconductors and electronic devices. On the left side, a type of gripper arm can be seen between blurry constructional struts in the foreground.
empowering communication

Control

More demanding requirements for industrial control systems

All types of control architectures inevitably require and include communication solutions such as Real-Time Ethernet or fieldbus networks. Due to the increasing intelligence of network nodes such as sensors and actuators, the volume of data traffic between field devices and controllers is growing considerably. As a manufacturer of control systems, you need to design your devices and their communication interfaces to be more and more performance oriented in order to keep step with future requirements. Our flexible and high-performance solutions for industrial communication can help you. Whether you need faster updating of I/O data or network-wide real-time exchange of diagnostic information: the innovative solutions from Hilscher open up new possibilities with consistent communication designs.

Challenges for control system manufacturers
Components for master protocols

Ready-to-use communication modules with master functionalities for controllers are rare in the automation market. Hilscher is the market leader in multi-protocol solutions. We can provide you with the right solution for master protocols that is the right fit for the target system. Our hardware, software, and tools are made for each other, so you can focus on developing your application.

Increasing network intelligence

The demands on control devices are growing with the increasing intelligence and networking of industrial networks. It is important for you as a manufacturer to be prepared for future scenarios by choosing the right components. Take advantage of our wide range of products and services today and benefit from our innovations for tomorrow's solutions.

Flexibility and variability

Global markets require a wide range of communication protocols. Keeping protocol conversions as simple as possible is your key to serving new target markets quickly and efficiently. With our multiprotocol netX technology, as well as standardized interfaces, drivers and tools, we guarantee maximum flexibility for you.

Based on our netX technology, our communication controllers, embedded modules and PC cards are used in countless control systems worldwide. Building on our decades of expertise, you can integrate your control system reliably into modern fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet networks. Our industry-leading and wide range of products has the right solution for every application, no matter what the required network standards are.

Thanks to our Hilscher platform strategy, all products have the same interfaces, drivers and tools. You can also rely on our support services, for example, for personalizing your device or for certification processes. Thanks to the reliability and long-term availability of our products, Hilscher provides sustainable solutions in many areas including:

  • Laser controls
  • Control systems (electronics production and automation technology)
  • HMI controllers
  • Honing controllers
  • PLCs
  • Crane controllers (also remote)
  • Burner controllers
  • Controller for minimum-dose automatic lubrication systems
  • Pneumatic control systems
  • Controllers for heat treatment ovens
  • Leveling control systems for loading gantries
  • Device controllers
Learn more about Hilscher products in action
Numerous empy vials lined up in a production machine. The first vial is illuminated by a small glimmer of light.

An Indian technology company, specializing in the design, development and manufacture of tailor-made automation solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, connects optical inspections systems for medicinal vials using Hilscher's cifX 50E-RE PC card for PROFINET. Read more!

Three black and silver devices on a white background. CODA is written on the devices in large red letters.

Orange Precision Measurement implements PROFINET, EtherCAT, and EtherNet/IP as well as DeviceNet using Hilscher's netX 90 multiprotocol communication controller, enabling the American manufacturer of precision measurement tools to supply its products to various customers.

A man and a woman in high visibility vest are looking at a notebook, Both are wearing white helmets. In the background are machines.

 

Hilscher’s Flagship Store for the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance (OI4) Community brings the ease of app stores to the industrial world. Powered by Wibu-Systems' CodeMeter licensing, the store gives users access to a library of apps and solutions for their shop floor automation needs.

Thermal spray coating machine by Oerlikon.

Surface solution specialist Oerlikon Metco AG uses netFIELD to enable real-time data collection from industrial applications, such as thermal spray painting machines, from around the world.

netX 90 communication controller mounted on a circuit board.

From motor controllers to the consolidation of entire control cabinet contents, dieEntwickler Elektronik (dEE) implements innovative netX 90 projects and opens up the entire internal periphery of the small multiprotocol controller. Read more about our integration partner here!

An actuator by SCHIEBEL painted in black on white background with a red spring incorporated on the left side.

With the embedded modules netIC52 and netRAPID 90 from Hilscher, SCHIEBEL connects its actuators to industrial communication networks and sets standards with a new control board.

A clean and bright inside of a factory with several machines lined up left and right. On two white rails at the upper half of the picture Güdel is written in red large letters. In the foreground, a sheet of metal lays on a conveyor belt.

Industrial systems specialist Güdel uses netFIELD to implement advanced IIoT solutions, ranging from monitoring specific wear points to a more holistic Industry 4.0 approach.

A pneumatic valve application with many cables and lines going about, disappearing into a cabinet on the bottom. On the far right side, AVENTICS is written on the device. In the background, you can see some green and blue boxes. The valve application is mounted on a sheet of metal.

Emerson, a world leading provider of automation technology and software, has enabled integrated OPC UA in their AVENTICS™ valve systems, simplifying IIoT integration and analysis capabilities with netX 90.

Titleimage Systemtechnik Leber

Based on Hilscher’s netX 90 multiprotocol processor, Systemtechnik LEBER and E-T-A developed an ultra-compact and price-sensitive bus controller for monitoring electronic circuit breakers.

A man with a blue hard hat and safety glasses is working on a orange robot arm.

netANALYZER delivers reliable support for the service specialist Leadec in troubleshooting industrial Ethernet networks.

A packaging machine from MULTIVAC.

MULTIVAC, the leading manufacturer of integrated packaging solutions, develops customer-oriented services with netFIELD, enabling higher machine availability

A female factory worker in pharmaceutical clothing standing beside a large fluid machinery.

netTAP 151 provides a flexible and scalable solution for an easy integration of independent processing systems into one industrial communication network.

A pneumatic test bench with several cables going in and out, placed in a production environment.

müller+krahmer GmbH realizes pneumatic test benches with the capability to change protocols on the fly with the help of Hilscher cifX PC cards.

A grey box with several connectors up front.

The engineering firm kumkeo GmbH is one of the first companies to rely on the netX 90, the world‘s smallest multi-protocol chip from Hilscher, for the development of innovative products.

 

2 panel PCs facing each other, another IPC with netJACK highlighted blue in the foreground.

IPC specialist ADS-TEC Industrial IT uses the netJACK option module as a universal solution to equip its Industrial Box PCs and HMIs with master and slave functionalities on demand, flexibly and without tools.

Front view of a NORD inverter standing upright with connectors on bottom.

Drive manufacturer NORD DRIVESYSTEMS realizes more compact frame sizes and facilitates servicing with netX.

Worker inspecting an electrical Installation at a Leadec plant.

netMIRROR facilitates quick and reliable troubleshooting in RealTime Ethernet networks at factory service specialist Leadec.

Close-up view of a VITRONIC machine vision component attached to a robotic arm in an industrial setting.

cifX PC-Cards integrate Automated Weld Seam Inspection Systems to numerous Real-Time Ethernet and Fieldbus networks at German machine vision specialist VITRONIC.

Advanced controllers with Hilscher's communication technology

Our high-end communication controller netX 100—master and multi-protocol capable, of course—forms the foundation of our solution portfolio for controllers. The chip has a system architecture optimized for communication and maximum data throughput, three communication channels, dual-port memory and an integrated A/D converter. Based on this chip, we also offer embedded modules and PC cards in a wide range of form factors, ensuring maximum flexibility for your product design.

Our range of cifX PC cards includes all form factors available on the PC market. From conventional form factors such as PCI or PCI Express to the smallest multi-protocol PC cards in the very compact M.2 format, we have the right one for your control system. All you have to do is plug the cifX card into the standard interface. 

Whatever you need, whether different cable lengths, dual-channel cards or comprehensive software support—we have the right solution for your individual application.

The Hilscher embedded modules are the only master-capable modules on the automation market. Our comX module is mainly used in controllers, which handles all communication tasks autonomously and independent of the target platform. All versions have the same dimensions and are pin-compatible, so, as a manufacturer, you can handle all industrial protocols with one motherboard design. This reduces your development costs and time to market.

With our netANALYZER we also have a powerful analysis tool in our portfolio that you can use to document and analyze important parameters. Any anomalies or irregularities will not remain undetected for long. Thanks to the powerful trigger function, you can also keep the device in your network for a longer period of time. When defined events occur, netANALYZER creates a comprehensive telegram snapshot.

Your benefits with our solutions at a glance:
  • Extensive portfolio for every application
  • Multi-protocol solutions
  • Lower development costs
  • Fast time to market
  • Easy integration
  • Support and additional services throughout the entire lifecycle
  • Long-term product availability
Related links
Two Hilscher employees discussing a contract.

Are you looking for an integration partner for your industrial communication project? From multi-protocol capable netX chips to IIoT applications - our network of partner companies offers you the support you need!

cifX PC cards are the easiest way to integrate your systems into an industrial network.

Our solutions enable machines all over the world to communicate autonomously and securely with each other. From communication controllers, PC cards and embedded modules to network analysis and Industry 4.0, we make industrial communication possible. Read more in our success stories.

Communication controllers and printed circuit boards are extensively tested at Hilscher in Germany.

We make industrial communication possible. From legacy fieldbus to Real-Time Ethernet and the cloud. Our solutions are multi-protocol capable, flexible and reliable. Learn more about how our netX software and hardware technologies work and how we make machine data accessible for you with our IIoT platform netFIELD.