I/O system extends machine control capabilities and connections
4 February 2026 
Trio Motion Technology has launched an I/O system that extends the control and connection capabilities of its new Motion-PLC controllers. The MS I/O System integrates high-speed I/O with Trio’s new machine controllers via compact slices, giving machine-builders flexibility over machine control connections and cutting the cost of developing machines.
The I/O system can integrate I/O slices directly with the Motion-PLC controllers. Efficient data transfer is achieved using Trio’s new MS-Bus interface – a local communication protocol for MS I/O slice connections that provides high data throughput for responsive machine control. The I/O system can be tailored to a machine’s connectivity requirements, allowing any combination of digital and analogue I/O.
The I/O slices are inserted from the front and click into position for fast, easy mounting onto DIN rails. Connections are made via spring clamp connectors for secure, tool-free installation, with pushbutton wire removal, making slice insertion and swapping fast and easy. The slices are 12mm wide, reducing footprints in cabinets or on machines.
Up to 16 I/O slices can be integrated with a Motion-PLC controller using one or more MS EC (EtherCat) couplers. Each coupler can integrate 16 more I/O slices. In total, a Motion-PLC controller can be expanded to host 1,024 digital ports and 128 analogue ports.
Adding an MS EC coupler can also produce a distributed I/O system, keeping I/O close to the sensors, thus cutting cabling times and costs. Just one cable is needed to connect a coupler to a Motion-PLC controller. Multiple couplers can be connected to one EtherCat controller, including third-party controllers, to achieve complete control across a machine.
The slices click into the MS EC coupler, communicating with it via the MS-Bus interface. The coupler acts as a high-speed bridge to EtherCat networks. With update times as low as 125us, this results in high performance for both motion and machine control applications. With EtherCat in and out ports, the MS EC coupler can be placed at any point in an EtherCat network.
The Motion-PLC controller I/O slice interface and the MS EC I/O coupler are synchronised with Trio’s Motion-iX motion engine, resulting in deterministic behaviour across all motion and machine connections. This ensures high-speed, reliable control to optimise coordination. I/O integration and management is achieved via Trio’s MotionPerfect software for motion and machine set-up.
The new I/O system is being launched alongside Trio’s new Motion-PLC range that provides advanced motion control with the functions and simplicity of a PLC. The new class of controller combines high-performance motion control over EtherCat with logic and I/O expansion, enabling simpler, faster machine development. The controllers scale machine and motion requirements up to eight axes.
The Motion-PLC controllers and MS I/O System can be combined with Trio’s servodrives, motors and HMI to create integrated, motion-first machine automation systems.
“The MS I/O System provides device integration capabilities to extend machine control in a flexible and cost-effective way,” says Trio president, Tom Alexander. “The I/O slice approach means that machine-builders can just add the I/O connectivity they need, while the MS Bus protocol combined with EtherCat achieves high-speed, deterministic communications to ensure robust and reliable machine and motion control.”
