First Controllers in Trio’s Motion-PLC Range Simplify the Design of Stand-Alone Machines
September 10, 2025
Trio Motion Technology has launched the first controllers from its new Motion-PLC range, designed to provide 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 models in the range, which are now available to order, comprise the MCS 30, the MCS 40, and the MCS 50 Flexible Machine Controllers. The three controllers scale machine and motion requirements up to eight axes over high-speed EtherCAT.
The controllers feature up to two Ethernet ports with fieldbus support for HMI and upstream devices, including Modbus TCP, PROFINET I/O, and Ethernet I/P, as well as extensive I/O integration to expand machine connectivity.
The first controllers in Trio’s Motion-PLC range provide the machine and motion control requirements for stand-alone machines and sub-machines for applications such as pick-and-place, gantries, glue laying, and flying shear.
The MCS 40 and MCS 50 feature a multi-tasking operating system that performs motion and logic control in parallel. The motion control capability is built on Trio’s Motion-iX motion engine, based on more than 30 years’ development. Motion-iX includes a variety of pre-programmed features that simplify development, from point-to-point moves through to complex motion.
To make access to Trio’s motion specialization even easier, Motion-PLC can be programmed in familiar PLC languages that follow the IEC 61131-3 standard, and the controllers also include a PLCopen motion library. With the MCS 40 and MCS 50 controllers, developers also have access to TrioBASIC, Trio’s high-level, English-based motion programming language. Trio provides a license-free approach, and access to the Motion Perfect software for programming and commissioning is also free of charge, significantly reducing the cost of machine development.
Extending device integration, the Motion-PLC controllers can integrate ‘click in’ I/O slices via the MS-Bus interface, Trio’s local communication protocol that provides high efficiency and throughput of data. The controllers can support up to 16 of Trio’s new MS I/O slices, including any combination of digital or analogue inputs or outputs. I/O can be optionally increased to achieve 1024 digital ports and 128 analogue ports through Trio’s new MS EC I/O coupler that provides a bridge between EtherCAT and the MS-Bus system.
To optimize installation and ensure a compact footprint, whether machine- or cabinet-mounted, the first controllers in Trio’s Motion-PLC range measure just 100mm high, 75mm deep, and 23mm wide.
The MCS 30, MCS 40, and MCS 50 will be joined by additional models in the Motion-PLC range that increase the scale of control to manage larger stand-alone machines. Designated All-in-One Controllers, the ultimate devices in the Motion-PLC range will add a Serial Port, a Flexible Axis Port, plus NPN or PNP On-board I/O.
The Motion-PLC controllers can be combined with Trio’s servo drives & motors and HMI to create a fully integrated, motion-first machine automation solution. Trio’s products are also supported around the world.
“Motion-PLC simplifies machine development,” says Trio President, Tom Alexander. “This makes machines faster to design, install, and commission, while for end users, it makes machines easier to use, and it also increases reliability. Crucially, these advantages are supported by Trio’s motion control specialization, and highly capable logic 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 new Motion-PLC range, visit the Trio website.
Editor’s note: Trio North America distribution in Canada is available from Cowper, MCS Servo, Sycodal, and Drive Systems Group, and Drive Center Inc.
