IO-Link Explained: The Powerful Communication Standard

On September 23–24, 2025, another IO-Link Plugfest took place in Bad Soden. With almost 125 participants, the event was completely booked out. Around 60 different companies from all over the world took the opportunity to test their IO-Link products on site in a practical environment.

International interest was particularly high this year, with representatives from countries such as Hungary, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, China, Denmark, Great Britain, the USA, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic traveling to the Plugfest. During the Interop Workshop, a new test system for masters and devices was successfully audited by a Chinese test center and then immediately tested in use by numerous participating device manufacturers.

In addition to standard IO-Link technology, the focus was also on new topics such as IO-Link Wireless, profile implementations, system integrations, and IoT connections via JSON REST API. A particular highlight was the presentation and testing of the IO-Link Safety Demo—with new functions and additional devices from various manufacturers—an important step in the further development of the technology.

Besides the technical tests, networking was also a focal point: the intensive exchange between developers, manufacturers, and IO-Link experts provided valuable impetus and inspiration for future projects. Many participants took the opportunity to make new contacts, deepen existing partnerships, and share practical experiences with each other.

The workshop offered participating companies the chance to test their devices and software solutions for interoperability and ensure that they work seamlessly with products from other manufacturers. Test runs during the development phase provided important insights and clarified open questions in direct exchange with international IO-Link experts.

“The strong response and the large number of new products clearly show that IO-Link plays a central role in industrial communication worldwide,” summarized Frank Moritz, working group leader for IO-Link Quality & Technology. 

It is already clear today that the success story will continue – the next IO-Link Interop Workshop is scheduled for fall 2026 and will once again provide an opportunity for comprehensive testing, intensive exchange of experience, and the continuation of technological development.

In view of the current economic stagnation, companies are facing the challenge of improving their production facilities and making them more efficient. In this context, IO-Link is proving to be an innovative solution for optimizing systems and modernizing operations. IO-Link is a manufacturer-independent communication standard that enables sensors and actuators in automation technology to be seamlessly integrated into the higher-level control system and also easy to parameterize and configure. 

IO-Link as the key to modernization

By implementing IO-Link, systems can be made more flexible, efficient and future-proof. Companies benefit from shorter downtimes, improved adaptability and greater efficiency. Today, this is a decisive competitive advantage.

In addition, IO-Link makes it easy to integrate new sensors and actuators into existing systems. This makes it easier to modernize and retrofit production lines without having to make extensive changes to the control hardware. Companies can therefore gradually improve their systems and adapt them to new requirements without incurring high investment costs.

If you would like to know how this all works, then the IO-Link Forum on November 13, 2025 in Paderborn offers you a unique exchange of knowledge and promises valuable insights into the world of industrial automation and communication technologies with IO-Link.

The IO-Link Forum offers a wide range of topics for participants of all levels of knowledge in sessions, some of which will take place in parallel. Lectures on the topic of plant modernization in particular have been modified and expanded. A special highlight is the report on an end user's experience with IO-Link. The accompanying Microfair also offers the opportunity to exchange ideas with manufacturers and learn about new products, features and services.

The IO-Link Forum will be held in German language. It is free of charge for participants, but please register in advance.

The IO-Link Community has reached a significant milestone in the further development of IO-Link Safety: TÜV SÜD has successfully tested and officially certified the IO-Link Safety specification V1.1.4. This lays the foundation for the widespread industrial use of the technology-neutral safety solution.

Certification by an independent testing agency marks the end of the development phase for IO-Link Safety and now enables the introduction of market-ready products. As the first officially designated IO-Link Safety Test Center, TÜV SÜD has already begun testing IO-Link Safety masters and devices. The first certified products will be available on the market shortly.

IO-Link Safety is the safety-related extension of the proven IO-Link technology and enables – in line with the IO-Link concept – seamless integration into existing automation and safety structures. The specification was already positively evaluated by TÜV SÜD and the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the DGUV (IFA) during the concept phase. Based on the proof-of-concept results, the specification was consistently developed further to product maturity together with the associated test specification.

In contrast to conventional IO-Link, IO-Link Safety relies on third-party certification. Manufacturers must have their products tested at a recognized test center—an additional step to ensure the highest quality and safety standards.

With over 20,000 IO-Link-compatible products available and more than 500 manufacturers worldwide, IO-Link offers a dynamic ecosystem that creates ideal conditions for rapid market penetration of IO-Link Safety. The open architecture enables easy integration into all common PLC, DCS, and IoT systems. 

Development costs are particularly high when it comes to functional safety, which makes it all the more valuable that IO-Link Safety requires support for only a single, easily implementable communication standard. As IO-Link Safety devices can be used in all automation systems worldwide without modification, which is why the community expects rapid establishment and fast market growth.