Comunicato

The 36th European EtherCAT Plug Fest concluded after two intensive days on July 15 and 16 at SICK’s SIA Campus in Waldkirch, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Hosted by EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) member company SICK, the event reached full capacity and set a new benchmark for participation with 69 developers from 30 manufacturers.

Over the two days, attendees executed 365 tests and evaluated 48 devices, comprising 16 MainDevices, 31 SubDevices and 2 tools. The balanced mix reflects the breadth of the EtherCAT ecosystem. The event attracted significant new interest, with many companies attending for the first time. Attendees praised the excellent organization and the vibrant atmosphere, contributing to the event's clear success.

Interoperability is the cornerstone of EtherCAT’s success for both vendors and users. Plug Fests are the practical forum where that interoperability is proven and advanced: developer meetings organised by the EtherCAT Technology Group that bring vendors and developers together to connect, rigorously test, and refine their products with ETG technical experts on hand to provide direct, hands on support. At the Waldkirch event, teams executed extensive device combinations and conformance tests, exchanged in depth implementation know how, and resolved issues side by side. Most device pairings performed as expected; the edge cases uncovered led to immediate fixes and actionable insights that will shorten development cycles and further strengthen interoperability across the EtherCAT ecosystem.

The continued level of interest in EtherCAT and the demand for this hands-on developer format were noted by experts on site. Rainer Hoffmann, a member of ETG’s technical team and the on-site contact in Waldkirch, said: "I'm always impressed by how openly and solution-focused representatives from different, sometimes competing, companies discuss behaviours and potential problems to find the best technological solution." The Plug Fest once again demonstrated how direct collaboration not only strengthens the EtherCAT community, but most importantly, enhances device interoperability and product maturity. This means that users benefit from reliable equipment compatibility and can trust in a robust, well-developed EtherCAT technology.

Information on future event dates is available at www.ethercat.org/events.

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