Starting from the bus interface, one or two lines can be set up using the daisy chain principle. A star topology is also possible together with the remote I/O system CPX-AP-A.

The bus interface is used to connect the CPX‑AP‑I to the higher-level controller via Ethernet-based bus protocols as well as EtherCAT or PROFIBUS.

The new AP communication technology combines a host PLC with IO-Link devices, digital and analogue inputs and outputs, and data transfer to the cloud in one easy package. A unique feature is the flexible connection with the modular remote I/O system CPX-AP-A and the ability to integrate Festo valve terminals directly into a wide range of topologies with remote I/O systems.

• Flexible topologies with the remote I/O systems CPX-AP-I and CPX-AP-A
• Simplified engineering without additional software
• Real-time communication to the valve terminal

The automation system CPX-AP-I has separate cables for communication and power supply as well as two separate circuits

• Power can be supplied separately for each individual module or shared from module to module as a central supply
• Possible to create different voltage zones
• Stable data transfer

An automation system CPX‑AP‑I consists of the bus interface and at least one other input/output module or an IO-Link master. In the system, up to 79 modules can be connected to the bus interface in any combination.

• Bus interface
• IO-Link® master
• Digital input/output modules
• Analogue input module

Complete system topologies have been integrated in the commissioning software, and can thus be configured, parameterised and commissioned quickly, easily and very conveniently with the CPX-AP-I and CPX-AP-A remote I/O systems. In addition to remote I/O, this also applies to a wide range of valve terminals and IO-Link devices such as actuators and sensors, as well as complete (electromechanical) servo drive solutions.

Significant benefits:

• “Forcing” of process data without controller and complex programming during commissioning
• Updating the device firmware
• Access and download the device description files
• Direct access to manuals

When connected to the IoT gateway from Festo, CPX-AP-I communicates right up to the cloud via standard cloud protocols such as MQTT and OPC UA. This will make it easy in future to carry out predictive maintenance and condition monitoring.

The AP system communication, included in all future valve terminals from Festo, makes it easy to incorporate these valve terminals into your application. Right now, existing valve terminal series like VTUG or MPA-L can already be easily integrated directly into the system via their AP interface. They can additionally be upgraded with new functions like a switching cycle counter or load voltage monitoring. It will also be possible to connect them to the cloud. This will pave the way for the use of intelligent tools such as dashboards for preventive maintenance and condition monitoring in the future.