Control Block
Price range: $14,985.00 through $15,484.00
The Control Block is a 6+4 axis industrial automation platform unifying motion, logic, safety, and HMI in a single industrial-grade unit. Six primary robotic axes plus four auxiliary axes, closed-loop absolute multi-turn encoders, and integrated brakes. Safety rated PLe / Cat 4 / SIL3. Programmed with patent-pending AutoCode — a 27-command human-auditable language built as the AI interface between humans and machines. AutoBus™ universal plug-and-play bus for Modbus TCP devices. Includes AutoBlocks Studio™ for remote connectivity, remote support, and machine vision.
Product Description
The Control Block replaces the traditional stack of PLCs, servo drives, motion controllers, HMIs, and safety systems with a single precisely engineered platform. No middleware. No multi-vendor integration. No glue code.
Motion — Six primary axes (X, Y, Z, A, B, C) plus four auxiliary axes. Single M12 cable per motor. Closed-loop absolute multi-turn encoders. Integrated brakes. Real-time trajectory planning with coordinated motion control.
Logic — Full PLC-grade ladder logic and structured text via AutoCode. 300 digital I/O, 150 data channels, 54 safety I/O.
Safety — Integrated programmable safety controller rated PLe, Category 4, SIL3. Plug-and-play light curtains, door interlocks, remote e-stop, and light tower via single M12 cables.
HMI — 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen. Every axis, every I/O point, every recipe visible and editable from one screen. AutoBlocks Studio™ for remote programming and diagnostics.
AutoBus™ — Universal plug-and-play bus for Modbus TCP devices. Connect third-party sensors, drives, and devices without custom integration.
Data & Traceability — Built-in SQL client, web server, email/SMS, FTP. Full data tracking and traceability for regulated production environments.
Autoblocks Control Block Spec — Rev 7Additional Information
| Power Input | 120VAC (Max 15A input), 240VAC (Max 8A input) |
|---|---|
| IO Configuration | Standard (10 digital inputs, 2 analog inputs, 10 transistor outputs, 2 relay outputs), Analog (8 digital inputs, 4 analog inputs, 6 transistor outputs, 2 relay outputs + 3 analog outputs) |
CONTROL BLOCK
Motion. Logic. Safety. HMI. — One Platform.
The Platform That Runs Your Machine.
The Control Block is AutoBlocks’ core intelligence — a single industrial-grade controller engineered to replace the complexity of multi-vendor automation with one unified platform. Motion control, machine logic, integrated safety, and HMI in one precisely built module.
Traditional machine architecture means separate PLCs, safety controllers, servo drives, and HMI panels — each from a different vendor, each requiring its own programming environment, wiring scheme, and support contract. The Control Block eliminates that entirely. One controller. One connection standard. One platform your team deploys, configures, and scales without compromise.
Rated IP54. Built to PLe, Category 4, SIL3 safety standards. Engineered for the factory floor.
Four Systems. One Controller.
MOTION Six primary axes of closed-loop absolute motion control — X, Y, Z, A, B, C — with single M12 cable connections to every motor. No multi-conductor wiring runs. No separate drive cabinets. High-precision trajectory planning with real-time coordinated motion control and ±0.005mm repeatability on AB+ ball screw actuators. Compatible with NEMA 8 through 34 closed-loop stepper motors with absolute encoders standard.
LOGIC AutoCode — AutoBlocks’ purpose-built programming environment — uses a table-based command structure familiar to PLC and CAM engineers. AI-assisted AutoCode generation accelerates machine setup and recipe programming for rapid production line reconfiguration. Supports custom commands, developer environments, and multi-axis coordinated control with minimal configuration overhead.
SAFETY Integrated Programmable Safety Controller certified to PLe, Category 4, SIL3 — the highest functional safety classification for industrial machinery. Plug-in safety architecture supports light curtains, door interlocks, remote E-stop, and light towers through dedicated M12 ports with no additional wiring or relay panels required. Real-time fault detection, diagnostic error logging, and automatic motor shutdown on fault condition. HMI password-controlled interlock management. Safety event tracking for audit and compliance.
HMI 10.1-inch high-resolution capacitive touchscreen pendant with integrated E-stop, USB file management, and Web HMI for browser-based remote access. For integrators and machine builders who prefer third-party displays, the HMI Hub delivers full AutoBlocks software on any 1280×800 touch monitor via a single HDMI and USB connection — preloaded, preconfigured, ready to run.
Hardware Specifications
| Dimensions | 24″ L × 20″ W × 8″ H |
| Weight | ~25 lbs |
| Chassis | Industrial-grade aluminum, black anodized finish |
| Ingress Protection | IP54 — dust-protected, splash-resistant |
| Voltage Input | 120 VAC (15A max) or 240 VAC (8A max), selectable |
| Total Power Output | 834W |
| Motor Power Output | 24 VDC / 4A per motor (up to 6 motors) |
| PoE Output | PoE+ / IEEE 802.3at / 25.5W per port / 90W total |
| Operating Temp | 0°C to 40°C |
| Safety Rating | PLe, Category 4, SIL3 |
Connectivity & I/O
External Ports
- (3) RJ45 PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T)
- (1) DB15 — Teach Pendant / HMI with integrated E-stop circuit
- (1) USB 2.0 — file management
- (1) M12 remote E-stop
- (1) M12 light curtain transmitter + (1) receiver
- (1) M12 3-color light tower
- (1) M12 door interlock — daisy-chain up to 8 interlocks
Communication Protocols · MODBUS TCP ·
I/O
- 10 digital inputs · 2 analog inputs · 10 transistor outputs · 2 relay outputs (Standard config)
- IO-Link expandable via master and hubs
- Expandable via IO-Link master & hubs
Supported Devices — Plug and Configure.
Robots EPSON and Universal Robots integrate natively — device selection on the HMI, prebuilt handshake and error handling included. No custom communication code required.
Vision Systems Keyence IV3/IV4 · Keyence VS · Zebra FS/VS · Cognex
Safety Devices Keyence GS Door Interlocks · Keyence Light Curtains · Banner Light Towers · Custom devices supported
Motion AB+ Smart Motors (NEMA 8–34) · Ball Screw Actuators ±0.005mm · Belt Drive Actuators ±0.05mm · Precision Planetary Gearboxes · AutoBlocks Smart Servo Drives & VFDs · Third-party servo drives and VFDs supported
Remote Capabilities
Customizable AutoBlocks Studio remote machine monitoring · Remote support · Remote software configuration · FTP client/server · Email & SMS alerts · SQL client · Web server ·
Built for Integrators.
The Control Block is the platform integrators and machine builders have been waiting for. Purpose-engineered for medium-to-high complexity machines across automotive, electronics, medical device, and precision assembly industries — it dramatically reduces integration time without compromising configurability or performance.
AI-assisted AutoCode, plug-in device architecture, and a unified wiring standard mean your team deploys faster, commissions with confidence, and supports customers remotely. The Control Block isn’t just a controller. It’s the foundation of your automation practice.
