When selecting a frequency inverter, machine builders often consider performance requirements first, followed by price or a specific brand with which they have had positive experiences in the past. MOLL-MOTOR recommends taking a more fundamental approach to the decision and asking the systemic question: Does the drive fit into a networked machine architecture?
AxiaAgile for networked standard drives
With the new AxiaAgile series, Bonfiglioli is launching a frequency inverter that addresses precisely this gap. Not every application requires a complex servo system, but more and more applications need more than a classic standard inverter with simple I/O connectivity.
The key advantage of AxiaAgile: The series brings modern communication and safety functions to a sector where simple, isolated frequency inverters were previously often used. This makes the standard drive compatible with current machine concepts. Depending on the model, open communication interfaces, Industrial Ethernet connectivity, functional safety, diagnostic capabilities, and controlled access paths are available. Crucially, these functions are integral to the platform concept from the ground up.
For machine builders, this means: The frequency inverter can be selected specifically for the application without unnecessarily opting for an oversized solution. For operators, it means: Existing and new systems can be better integrated into modern service, diagnostic and safety concepts.
Cybersecurity now also affects drive technology
For a long time in mechanical engineering, cybersecurity was an issue for IT departments, control systems or higher-level networks. Today, this view is too narrow. Every component that sends or receives data, or is accessible for remote access, becomes part of the security assessment.
Frequency inverters, in particular, occupy a sensitive position in this context. They link communication with physical movement. A motor that is controlled incorrectly is not an abstract IT problem, but can have immediate effects on the process, the plant and safety.
The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act takes this development into account: in the future, products with digital elements must be designed with cybersecurity in mind as early as the development, manufacturing and vulnerability management stages. Full implementation of the key obligations is scheduled for December 2027.
The interaction with the new EU Machinery Directive should also not be underestimated. If a networked component can cause a dangerous situation due to manipulation or insufficient protection, cybersecurity is also a physical safety issue. In practice, this primarily concerns interfaces, remote access, software versions, parameter changes, and safety-related control functions. Modern drive technology must therefore not only be able to communicate, but do so in a controlled, traceable and secure manner.
For machine builders and operators, this means: Networked components should no longer be selected with only the present in mind. They must also fit into a safety concept that holds true throughout the entire service life of the machine.
With the new AxiaAgile, Bonfiglioli is well-equipped for this future, featuring encrypted communication, authentication management and connectivity options for local, remote and IIoT access. This means security is not an afterthought addressed through external measures, but is already taken into account at the device level.
Retrofit Instead of Future System Failure
Many machines operate for years or even decades. This is precisely why it’s worth taking a timely look at the drive technology in use. A frequency inverter that still fulfills its basic function today may become a bottleneck tomorrow—whether in diagnostics, spare parts strategy, remote maintenance, documentation or cybersecurity.
The switch to modern frequency inverters is often easier than expected and can be integrated into the current machine architecture. Often, the first step is to bring critical drives up to date and focus on areas where communication, service or safety requirements are particularly relevant.
This is where MOLL-MOTOR’s strength lies: We do not view the frequency inverter in isolation, but rather in conjunction with the motor, gearbox, control cabinet, application, and operator requirements. Thanks to decades of collaboration with Bonfiglioli, we can combine technical selection, design and practical feasibility.
Drive technology for the connected machine
AxiaAgile represents a development that is now unstoppable in mechanical engineering: the standard drive is becoming part of the networked machine. Anyone building new machines, modernising existing systems or taking remote service and digital maintenance seriously should therefore no longer think of drive technology in isolation. Bonfiglioli provides a compact and scalable platform for this purpose—and MOLL-MOTOR is the partner that not only selects the right solution but also integrates it into the entire drive train.
