Beijer and Festo Collaborate to Bring HMI to Motion Controls

Beijer Electronics, a specialist in visualization of data for industrial automation applications, has recently made an agreement with pneumatic and electrical control leader Festo, to integrate Beijer’s WebIQ software into a new series of Festo motion controllers that is expected to be released later in 2025.

During the past year of innovation in automation, there have been numerous partnerships between leaders in various specialty areas. The general theory is this: why take the time to reinvent the wheel when you can join forces with someone who already has the foundational knowledge and the product readily available? That collaborative spirit, illustrated by this recent partnership between Beijer and Festo, provides greater acceleration in product development, as compared to the traditional method of each company offering parallel product lines, all attempting to be a standout leader across many verticals.

Moving forward, Festo control systems will now feature WebIQ from Beijer Electronics. Image used courtesy of Beijer Electronics

WebIQ From Beijer

For those unfamiliar with WebIQ, it is a low-code web-based HMI/SCADA system that can be used to design and create unique and professional HMI programs, accessible in real time from any device. Built on web technologies HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, WebIQ can enable its users to develop stunning interfaces without extensive coding knowledge. These applications can easily be adapted to different screen sizes, making their data available on machines, tablets, and smartphones, allowing for 24/7 access to machine data and maintenance issues.

Monitor crucial machine data and apply themes for easier viewing. Image used courtesy of Beijer Electronics

WebIQ will come with a variety of new and common features, including drag-and-drop configuration that simplifies the creation of custom interfaces without the need for coding. Users will be able to utilize over 50 built-in widgets, which include buttons, input fields, and trend displays, all styleable to fit branding needs. The system also utilizes a data recorder with an SQLite database capable of storing large amounts of data, which can allow users to visualize recorded data through a variety of trend functionalities.

While WebIQ is designed as a low-code solution, it still has the capabilities to accommodate users with programming experience. For those who wish to extend functionality or create custom widgets, text-based programming languages can be used to harness the full potential of WebIQ. This flexibility ensures that skilled developers can enrich their applications while less technical users enjoy an intuitive design experience.

Integrating WebIQ into Motion Controls

Many of the details of this integration into Festo’s new product line are still forthcoming. Motion control systems can certainly benefit from access to data both on the display of the local device as well as on remote mobile devices. We’ll keep an eye on this product partnership to bring you the latest details on optimizing motion control systems with more advanced visualization, analytics, and user customization options.