Trio’s New I/O System Extends Control Capabilities for Motion-Centric Machines
January 29, 2026
Trio Motion Technology has launched a new I/O system, extending the machine control and connectivity of its new Motion-PLC controller range. The MS I/O System directly integrates high-speed I/O to Trio’s new range of Flexible Machine Controllers via compact slices, giving machine builders flexibility over machine control connectivity and reducing the cost of machine development.
The MS I/O System enables direct integration of I/O slices with a Motion-PLC controller. Highly efficient data transfer is achieved via Trio’s new MS-Bus interface, a local communication protocol for MS I/O slice connection that provides high data throughput for responsive machine control. The MS I/O system can be tailored to the connectivity requirements of the machine, allowing any combination of digital inputs and outputs, and analogue inputs and outputs.
I/O slices simply ‘click in’ via forward insertion, with fast and easy mounting to a DIN rail. Connection is achieved via spring clamp connectors for a tool-free, secure installation, combined with push button wire removal, making slice insertion and swapping fast and easy to achieve. Slices are just 12mm wide, minimizing the footprint inside a cabinet or onboard a machine.
Up to 16 I/O slices can be directly integrated with a Motion-PLC controller, with extension achieved by adding one or more MS EC (EtherCAT) couplers. Each MS EC coupler can integrate a further 16 I/O slices, and in total, a Motion-PLC controller can be expanded to host 1024 digital ports and 128 analogue ports.
As well as extending I/O connectivity, adding an MS EC coupler can also achieve a distributed I/O system, keeping I/O close to the sensors to reduce the cost and time of cabling. Instead, just a single cable is required to connect the MS EC coupler to a Motion-PLC controller. Multiple MS EC couplers can be connected to a single EtherCAT controller, including third-party controllers, to create complete control across a machine.
Slices click in to the MS EC coupler, communicating with it via the MS-Bus interface, and the MS EC coupler acts as a high-speed bridge to the EtherCAT network. With update rates down to just 125us, this achieves high performance for both motion control and machine control automation. With EtherCAT IN and OUT ports, the MS EC coupler can also be placed at any point across the EtherCAT network.
The Motion-PLC controller I/O slice interface and the MS EC I/O coupler are synchronized to Trio’s Motion-iX motion engine, enabling deterministic behavior across all motion and machine connections. This ensures high-speed, reliable control to optimize control coordination. I/O integration and management is achieved through Trio’s easy to use MotionPerfect software for motion and machine set up.
The new I/O system is launched alongside Trio’s new Motion-PLC range that provides advanced motion control performance with the functionality and simplicity of a PLC. The new class of controller combines high-performance motion control over EtherCAT plus logic and I/O expansion, enabling faster, simpler machine development. The first controllers in the range are now available to order and scale machine and motion requirements up to eight axes.
The Motion-PLC controllers and MS I/O System can be combined with Trio’s servo drives & motors and HMI to create a fully integrated, motion-first machine automation solution.
“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.”
About Trio Motion Technology
Trio Motion Technology was founded in 1987 as a manufacturer of motion controllers. Today the range, branded Motion Coordinators, can control up to 128 axes of servo, stepper and piezo motors, as well as hydraulic systems. Trio’s expertise in motion programming is based within its Motion-iX technology. Today, additions to the portfolio have developed Trio into a motion-first automation solution provider, supporting OEMs and system integrators.
The company headquarters is based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK, which also comprises its primary research and development hub. Additional R&D facilities are located in Italy, Bulgaria, and China. Application development teams are located in the UK, USA, Italy, India and China, and a global sales network comprises over 100 partners.
In 2017 Trio was acquired by the Estun Group, which is supporting Trio in its growth with assistance through shared facilities and R&D as well as financial backing. Trio has exceeded 15% growth year on year since the acquisition. In addition to the primary global markets, a significant proportion of Trio’s business is in China where the company’s motion control capability has enabled Estun to become a major player in the China automation market. Despite the presence of the Estun brand, motion control products in China carry Trio branding.
For more information, visit www.triomotion.com
About Estun Group
Estun started its activity in 1993 in Nanjing, China as a manufacturer of control systems for metal forming machinery. Today the company comprises six business groups focussing on automation and robotics, distributed around the world. Estun reported 2018 global sales figures at $230 and has more than 40% growth rate in recent years.
Estun is one of China’s tier one robot manufacturers and has a 100,000 m2 robot manufacturing facility, as well as a servo drive and motor manufacturing plant. The company is operated with an Automation Business Group, focused on machine performance, and a Robotics Business Group, based on turn-key factory projects including robotics and automation.
Estun’s acquisition strategy is one of collaboration over assimilation with many of its acquisitions being less than 100%. The spirit of collaboration also extends into key partnerships with suppliers and customers for mutual benefit.
Estun’s business groups comprise:
- Estun, specialists in robotics, China headquarters
- Trio Motion Technology, specialists in motion control technology, UK headquarters
- Cloos, specialists in welding technology and welding robots, Germany headquarters
- MAI, specialists in production cells using robotics, Germany headquarters
- Barrett Technology, specialists in special purpose robotic manipulators, USA headquarters
- Euclid Labs, specialists in 3D vision technology for robot applications, Italy headquarters
For more information about Estun, please visit http://en.estun.com/
More Information
To find out more about the MS I/O system and the new Motion-PLC range, visit the Trio website.
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Trio’s New Motion-PLC the Best of Both Worlds: Precise Motion and Simplified Logic
Trio Motion Technology has been manufacturing high-quality motion controllers since 1987. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company also has offices in the United States, India, China, Bulgaria, and Italy. Since being acquired by the Estun Group in 2017, the company has grown significantly in size and value, while maintaining their brand that has become synonymous with motion. Trio recently launched their Motion-PLC range, a new class of controllers designed to provide advanced motion control with the functionality and simplicity of a PLC, ushering in a new era of controllers.
