Whether you're designing a compact assembly station or a multi-zone production line, CPX-AP provides the flexibility to build exactly the topology your application requires while keeping engineering effort to a minimum.
The CPX-AP platform consists of two complementary systems:
Every module in the system communicates to the industrial Ethernet network via a CPX-AP bus interface, using a high-performance, real-time backplane transmission rate of 200 megabits per second (Mbps) full duplex.This architecture enables machine builders to distribute I/O exactly where it is needed without increasing network complexity.
Unlike traditional remote I/O platforms that separate modular terminals from distributed blocks, CPX-AP allows engineers to freely combine:
All on the same AP communication backbone.
This hybrid approach minimizes cabinet space while maximizing installation flexibility.
Machine designs rarely stay the same.
CPX-AP allows systems to expand as requirements change without redesigning the network.
Key features include:
This makes CPX-AP suitable for:
CPX-AP provides much more than simple remote I/O, the platform supports advanced diagnostics to help maintenance teams identify issues before they become unplanned downtime while supporting predictive maintenance initiatives.
CPX-AP integrates seamlessly with major industrial Ethernet networks, including:
Rather than competing products, CPX-AP-I and CPX-AP-A are designed to work together.
A single machine can combine distributed IP67 Remote I/O with centralized modular control, all connected through the AP communication network and managed as one unified automation platform.
This hybrid architecture allows machine builders to optimize installation costs, improve diagnostics, reduce engineering effort, and create scalable automation solutions that adapt to future production requirements.
CPX-AP-I is Festo's IP65/IP67 distributed Remote I/O platform designed for installation directly on the machine. Instead of routing every sensor and actuator back to an electrical cabinet, CPX-AP-I allows I/O to be installed close to the process, reducing cable lengths, installation time, and overall system complexity.
Installing the modules directly on the machine significantly reduces:
Modules can be distributed throughout the machine using AP cables with distances of up to 50 meters between adjacent AP participants, making the platform suitable for large-scale production equipment.
While CPX-AP-I focuses on distributed machine-level installation, CPX-AP-A serves as a modular automation terminal capable of integrating I/O, valve terminals, IO-Link masters, and pneumatic control into a single platform. Its modular design makes it ideal for electrical cabinets or centralized machine stations requiring greater flexibility.
One of the key differentiators of CPX-AP-A is its seamless integration with Festo valve terminals.
Supported platforms include:
Future-Proof Your Automation Platform
As machine architectures become increasingly decentralized, scalable, and data-driven, remote I/O systems must do more than simply collect signals.
The Festo CPX-AP platform combines high-speed communication, flexible topology, advanced diagnostics, seamless pneumatic integration, and IIoT connectivity into a single automation ecosystem that grows alongside your machine.
With recent innovations such as Intelligent End Plates and continued enhancements to Festo Automation Suite, CPX-AP remains one of the most flexible and future-ready remote I/O platforms available for modern industrial automation.