IO-Link Explained: The Powerful Communication Standard

This free user workshop / training class prepares attendees to apply IO-Link in their own project. Lunch is included. Technical details of the technology are provided along with practical demonstrations.  The class is designed for:

• End-Users
• OEMs / Machine Builders
• System Integrators / Distributors
• Manufacturers of automation devices
•  

Topics:

• Background
• Interface and Protocol
• USB of Automation
• Higher-level Integration
• Application Use-Cases
• Diagnostics
• Profiles
• Safety
• Wireless

Following the dates / locations:

• Portland, OR - September 01, 2026
• Detroit, MI - October 29, 2026

More information and registration at: https://io-link.us/events/

Do you have new IO-Link products and would like to test them in advance?

On September 22 and 23, 2026, the annual IO-Link Interop Workshop will take place in Bad Soden, Germany (near Frankfurt a. M.), where international manufacturers of IO-Link devices, tools and integration components will come together to check and ensure smooth interaction in OT and the connection to IT. In addition to the standard technology of IO-Link, topics such as IO-Link Wireless, profile implementations, system integrations and IoT connections such as JSON REST API will also be covered. Particularly noteworthy is the opportunity to test IO-Link Safety devices!

The IO-Link Plugfest offers you the opportunity to test the interoperability of your devices or software in a realistic environment and ensure that they work together with products from other manufacturers without any problems. This allows you to test interoperability during the development phase and exchange information at a technical level. You also have the opportunity to clarify open questions in discussions with experts and develop a deeper understanding of the technology. Depending on the progress of your development, a test run can also be carried out with one of the available testers.

Our IO-Link experts are on hand to advise you on all questions relating to IO-Link. The direct exchange and feedback from other developers will provide you with valuable insights and possible suggestions for improving your product or solution.

The participation fee for the IO-Link Interop workshop is 285 € / participant. (This fee covers food/drinks and a dinner together in the evening - but does not include the cost of accommodation).

For organizational reasons, please register online by August 31, 2026.

The 8th IO-Link User Workshop Hungary will take place in Budapest on 15 October 2026, bringing together automation professionals, machine builders, system integrators, end users, and technology providers for a full day dedicated to the latest developments in IO-Link technology.

The primary goal of the IO-Link User Workshop is to provide industrial professionals with practical insights into the capabilities and benefits of IO-Link. During the event, participants will gain a deeper understanding of IO-Link communication, explore the latest developments of the protocol, and learn how IO-Link is supporting the digital transformation of modern manufacturing.

This year’s program will feature international experts from the IO-Link Steering Committee, who will present the latest trends, innovations, and future directions of the technology. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn from real-world application examples presented by leading manufacturers, showcasing the services, functionalities, and advantages of their latest IO-Link-enabled products and solutions.

Throughout the conference, experienced IO-Link specialists will demonstrate how the technology simplifies the configuration, monitoring, maintenance, and replacement of industrial sensors and actuators. Through practical case studies and implementation examples, participants will gain valuable insights into the engineering, commissioning, and operation of IO-Link-based systems. The presentations will also compare conventional automation approaches with IO-Link solutions, highlighting both the technical and economic benefits of adopting IO-Link technology.

A special highlight of the 2026 event will be a roundtable discussion featuring members of the IO-Link Steering Committee. During this session, internationally recognized experts will exchange views on current industry challenges, future opportunities, and the evolving role of IO-Link in smart manufacturing and industrial digitalization. This discussion will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to gain insights directly from the experts helping to shape the future of IO-Link.

The conference presentations will be delivered in Hungarian, making the technical content easily accessible to local attendees. The roundtable discussion will be conducted in English, allowing participants to hear directly from the international Steering Committee members. To ensure that all participants can fully benefit from the discussion, Hungarian translation will be provided during the roundtable session. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact and network with international experts and exhibitors in English throughout the event.

Alongside the presentations, visitors will have the opportunity to explore an all-day mini exhibition, where leading manufacturers will showcase their latest devices, products, and solutions. Attendees are encouraged to discuss technical questions directly with exhibitors during breaks or throughout the day, creating valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange.

The event is free to attend, but registration is mandatory. Reserve your place today and join the IO-Link community in Budapest on 15 October 2026.

Please register here

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 October 21, 2026 in Walldorf-Wiesloch (Germany) 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 Walldorf-Wiesloch (this information is in German language only).

Registration

From December 1 -3, 2026, you have again the opportunity to participate in a training course in english to become an "IO-Link Safety Certified Designer". It takes place in Karlsruhe (Germany) in cooperation with TÜV-SÜD assessment body and offers a personal TÜV certificate after passing the exam.

IO-Link Safety expands machines and systems automated with IO-Link to include functionally safe components and communication. The latest version of the IO-Link Safety specification (1.1.3) and version 1.1 of the associated test specification with protocol and functional tests build upon the successful base technology specifications in the IO-Link 2020 package. 

On the first day of the course, content will include the basics of IO-Link Safety, such as safety principles, functional objectives, requirements for IO-Link (“black channel”), risks & remedial measures, the communication protocol, fault detection, device replacement without tools, configuration, parameter setting and back-up of data, possible architectures, testing & certification, environmental regulations, and example applications.

On the second day, TÜV-SÜD will cover the basics of safety development – of FS masters and FS devices in particular – in accordance with IEC 61508/62061 and ISO 13849, enabling participants to evaluate the requirements for the engineering departments of their company. This includes an overview of the relevant standards & their content, project management, management for functional safety, required documentation, life cycle, safety functions, preferred architectures, methods for avoiding dangerous faults, FMEA, verification & validation and certification.

The third day will begin with a general overview of procedures for design, implementation and test. Furhter the creation of IODDs and dedicated tools will be covered. A host of technology and service providers will then present test systems, development kits and development support.

Written tests are administered after the completion of each day’s training. All the tests must be passed in order to receive a certificate.

A participation fee of 770 Euros is charged for the course.

You are welcome to already register for the training.