What is IO-Link?

IO-Link is the first globally standardized IO technology (IEC 61131-9) for communicating with sensors and actuators. The powerful point-to-point communication is based on the long-established 3-wire sensor and actuator connection without any additional requirements for the cable material. IO-Link is therefore not a fieldbus, but the evolutionary further development of the previous, tried and tested connection technology for sensors and actuators.

 

Current events
13 Nov
13 Nov
IO-Link Forum Paderborn - Key to Modernization

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.

For more information, please see our invitation flyer, the agenda or the short descriptions on the lectures for Paderborn (this informaiton is in German language only).

 

IO-Link Forum
Discover IO-Link Offerings
IO-Link Technology
Technology
IODD
IODD
IO-Link Community
Community
Smart Industry
Smart Industry
Current News
“From computer pioneer to smart factory” – IO-Link Forum at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

The IO-Link Forum 2025 in Paderborn, Germany showed impressively how much the spirit of Heinz Nixdorf, one of the most important pioneers of digital information processing in Germany, is still reflected in industrial innovations today. In the museum forum named after him, more than 100 participants discussed the future of networked sensor technology – and how IO-Link makes production processes more intelligent, transparent, and flexible.

Practical and user-oriented

The one-day event offered a compact mix of basic knowledge, current developments, and an accompanying micro-fair where manufacturers presented their IO-Link solutions. The aim of the forum was to introduce end users to the topic of IO-Link in a practical way and highlight the concrete benefits. A particular highlight was the user presentation by HARTING, which provided insights into its digitized production. The company already uses around 500 IO-Link sensors in various areas and utilizes a continuous data chain – from the sensor to the IO-Link master to evaluation via MQTT and Grafana.

Three examples demonstrated the practical benefits:

  • Cooling water monitoring: Automated quality control replacing manual sampling
  • Cooling lubricant management: Continuous measurement with automatic media correction
  • Compressed air leak detection: Early identification of losses increases energy efficiency

Core technologies clearly explained

Further presentations introduced the basic principles of IO-Link, current applications, and the new IO-Link profiles, which will significantly simplify cross-manufacturer sensor integration in the future. Topics such as IO-Link Wireless, simplified device integration, and OT/IT networking were also presented clearly and concisely.

Conclusion

The IO-Link Forum demonstrated how practical and visionary the technology has become. Presenting these forward-looking technologies at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum provided a fitting backdrop: where the foundations of digitalization were once celebrated, the knowledge for tomorrow's smart production is now being created.
 

IO-Link drives intelligent, connected production forward
IO-Link Competence Centers offer technical support world-wide.
The IO-Link Community is growing!

A new IO-Link Competence Center (IOL-CC) has been established in Genova, Italy — further strengthening our global network of IO-Link expertise.

An IO-Link Competence Center serves as a technical hub for IO-Link technology, offering expert support, testing, and training to manufacturers, integrators, and users to ensure consistent and interoperable IO-Link implementations.

All IOL-CCs are approved by the IO-Link Community and receive a signed certificate upon successful audit, confirming their technical competence and commitment to IO-Link standards.

With Genoa Fieldbus Competence Centre joining the network, there are now 10 IO-Link Competence Centers worldwide — located in Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and the USA.

Learn more about the IO-Link Competence Center network.


 

More about the new IO-Link Competence Center
IO-Link at the AAA in Chemnitz
IO-Link at All About Automation in Chemnitz – A Successful Kick-Off!

The All About Automation trade fairs have become leading regional events for industrial automation – so it was about time for the IO-Link Community to join the stage as a key technology driver for field-level digitalization.

At our kick-off event in Chemnitz, IO-Link was given the opportunity to take over several sessions at the Talk Lounge – expertly moderated by Frank Nolte from SPS-Magazin – and delivered an exciting mix of presentations and discussions:

=> IO-Link in Practice – Peter Wienzek (ifm)
=> IO-Link Safety – Klaus Peter Willems (TMG TE)
=> Condition Monitoring with IO-Link – Werner Flögel (Gemü)
=> IO-Link for Time-Critical Applications – Thomas Langer (Baumer)

A special highlight was Sebastian Schlicht from Magna Exteriors, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, who demonstrated how easily, and quickly IO-Link devices can be implemented on the shop floor – technology that excites, is easy to learn, and fast to deploy or replace!

During the following panel discussion, the spotlight was on the IO-Link ecosystem – covering cost-efficient I/O modules, functional safety devices, and data sources for AI applications, predictive maintenance, efficiency improvement, and energy optimization.
 

IO-Link on the AAA