NX1 Machine Automation Controller

Overview

The Omron NX1 series, branded as "Machine Automation Controller" (MAC), reimagines the traditional PLC by merging motion control, logic, and safety into a single compact DIN-rail unit. Rather than adding motion as a separate CPU, the NX1 uses EtherCAT as its native fieldbus to synchronise all I/O, servo drives, vision systems, and distributed I/O on a single high-speed ring or line topology — removing the need for a dedicated motion bus card.

Sysmac Studio is the single engineering environment for the entire NX portfolio. One project contains the PLC program, motion axis configuration, HMI screens (NA-series panels), safety program (NX-series safety I/O), and network configuration — all using shared tag names and data types without requiring separate software tools or manual data mapping between environments.

The NX1 family spans from the compact NX1P2 (up to 18 axes) for small machines up to the NX502 for large multi-axis systems with up to 256 EtherCAT axes and redundant network options. All models include a built-in OPC UA server and client, enabling direct IT/OT integration without a gateway, and a built-in EtherNet/IP adapter port for upstream SCADA or Ignition connectivity.

Key Features

• EtherCAT master — 31.25 µs cycle

  EtherCAT's distributed clock mechanism synchronises all slaves to within 1 µs, regardless of the number of nodes. NX-series EtherCAT I/O slaves and Omron G5/1S servo drives connect on the same bus, eliminating the traditional separate motion fieldbus (e.g., MECHATROLINK, SERCOS).
• Sysmac Studio — single project for all

  Sysmac Studio manages PLC (IEC 61131-3 + FBD/LAD/ST/SFC), motion (PLCopen MC + cam editor + electronic gearing), HMI (NA-series panels), safety I/O (NX-SL, NX-SI), and network topology in one unified project — sharing all tag names and data types without duplicating configuration.
• Built-in OPC UA server and client

  All NX1 models include an OPC UA server (no external software) exposing the Sysmac tag database to MES, SCADA, and cloud platforms. The OPC UA client enables the NX1 to subscribe to data from other OPC UA servers — including Siemens S7-1500 and Ignition — without custom programming.
• Integrated functional safety (SIL 3 / PLe)

  NX-series Safety I/O units (NX-SL5500, NX-SIH400) connect on the EtherCAT bus as FSoE (Fail-Safe over EtherCAT) slaves. The NX1's safety task runs within the same CPU, eliminating a separate safety PLC and simplifying the overall safety architecture certification.
• Machine vision integration (FH/FZ5 series)

  Omron FH-series vision controllers connect via EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP as I/O slaves, with Sysmac-native function blocks for triggering inspections, reading results, and acting on defect data within the same motion/logic cycle — removing the asynchronous delay of serial or TCP communication.

Technical Specifications

Typical Applications

• Electronic assembly: NX102 + G5-series servo + FH vision for SMT placement and inspection
• Collaborative robot cells: NX1 as orchestrator for UR/TM robots via EtherNet/IP CIP
• Medical device manufacturing: SIL 3 safety via NX-SL slaves for guarding, plus OPC UA to MES
• Laser cutting machines: NX502 with 4+ synchronized XY gantry axes at 0.25 ms cycle
• Packaging OEMs: NX1P2 for compact pick-and-place machines with 6 servo axes and integrated HMI