Electric Motion, Controls & Industrial I/O Systems

From precision motion to intelligent I/O, JHF helps connect, control and optimize your entire machine.

John Henry Foster provides integrated electric motion, machine control and industrial I/O solutions designed to keep equipment moving, communicating and performing reliably.

From servo motors, drives and linear motion to decentralized I/O, IO-Link, sensors and industrial connectivity, our engineers help create complete automation architectures tailored to your application.

JHF works with industry-leading manufacturers including Bosch Rexroth, Festo, Delta and Murrelektronik to help simplify machine design, reduce wiring, improve diagnostics and give manufacturers greater visibility into their equipment.

Request a Quote

Aluminum Framing Solutions

Complete Machine Control Solutions 

JHF helps customers evaluate the complete machine architecture—not just an individual component. Our engineering team can help select and integrate the motion, control, sensing, I/O and connectivity technologies needed to create a system that is easier to build, operate, maintain and expand.

Electric Motion & Drives

Servo motors, stepper motors, AC/DC motors, drives and linear motion technologies engineered for precise speed, position and torque control.

Machine Controls

Controllers and automation technologies that coordinate motion, processes, equipment and production requirements.

Industrial I/O

Connect sensors, actuators and field devices to your control architecture using distributed and remote I/O solutions designed for reliable machine communication.

IO-Link

Bring intelligence down to the sensor and actuator level with IO-Link for process data, diagnostics, parameterization and easier device replacement. IO-Link can provide process, diagnostic and service data over standard cabling.

Industrial Connectivity

Simplify machine wiring with field-ready cables, connectors, distribution systems and network infrastructure designed for demanding manufacturing environments.

Sensors & Machine Level Devices

Integrate sensors, valves, actuators, drives and other intelligent devices into one coordinated automation system.

Connect Your Machine. Simplify Your Automation.

Whether you're building a new machine, upgrading outdated controls, reducing wiring or looking for better visibility into field-level devices, JHF can help.

Our electric motion and automation specialists can evaluate your application and help develop a solution that connects motion, controls, I/O and machine-level technology into one coordinated system.

Let's build a smarter, more connected machine.

CONNECT WITH A JHF SPECIALIST



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Industrial I/O & IO-Link FAQs

Learn more about industrial I/O, decentralized automation, IO-Link and how JHF can help build a more connected machine.

Industrial input/output, or I/O, provides the connection between a machine's controller and field-level devices such as sensors, switches, valves and actuators.

Inputs send information from field devices to the control system, while outputs allow the controller to command devices in the machine.

Decentralized I/O moves input and output modules away from a centralized control cabinet and closer to the sensors, actuators and equipment they connect.

This can reduce field wiring, simplify installation and make machines easier to build in modular sections.

IO-Link is a standardized point-to-point communication technology used to connect compatible sensors, actuators and other intelligent field devices to an IO-Link master.

Unlike a traditional discrete connection, IO-Link can communicate process information along with diagnostic and parameter data.

No.

IO-Link typically operates at the sensor and actuator level and connects through an IO-Link master to the machine's broader industrial network and control system.

It complements technologies such as industrial Ethernet and fieldbus rather than replacing the machine controller.

Depending on the application, IO-Link can provide greater device visibility, improved diagnostics, easier parameter management, faster device replacement and more flexible machine configuration.

Decentralized I/O can help reduce wiring, simplify control cabinet requirements, speed machine installation, improve diagnostics and make modular machine designs easier to implement.

In many applications, yes.

The right approach depends on the existing controller, network architecture, field devices and machine requirements. JHF can evaluate your current system and help determine which modernization approach makes sense.

Yes. JHF can help evaluate your controller, network, sensors, actuators, environmental requirements, required I/O count and future expansion needs to recommend an appropriate architecture.

JHF offers Murrelektronik technologies as part of our electrical automation and connectivity capabilities. Our team can help evaluate Murrelektronik I/O, IO-Link and connectivity solutions for your machine or automation application.

Yes. JHF's engineered solutions capabilities extend across motion, controls, pneumatics, hydraulics, automation, connectivity and custom assemblies.

This allows our team to look beyond an individual product and help solve the complete machine application.

Why Choose John Henry Foster?

  • Experience: John Henry Foster customers benefit from over 100 years of experience, over nearly 2 million dollars in fluid conveyance products, state-of-the-art technology, software, and machinery, as well as our long-standing relationships with industry-respected manufacturers.

  • Turnkey Solutions: We can take complex assemblies and subassemblies and consolidate them into one part number to simplify and support your supply chain. We also provide customized assemblies of hose, tubing, wiring, energy chain, and more to provide turnkey solutions that accelerate your machine builds and overhauls.

  • End-to-End Service: JHF also provides design, manufacturing, installation, and testing solutions. We’re committed to continuous training on the latest technologies so that our customers always get the very best.