Festo believes its new Ethernet-equipped PLC is the first truly integrated solution for pneumatic valve terminals. Protected to IP67, the robust controller can be mounted directly in harsh environments – such as on washdown machinery for food and pharmaceutical manufacturing lines – yet offers connectivity that aids the transition to more efficient control system architectures. The application potential supported by the novel PLC ranges from traditional stand-alone control – but with functions such as a web server for remote monitoring – to rugged I/O with an Ethernet gateway that allows control by a state-of-the-art PC (without the usual worries concerning ruggedised system building).