Spring 2026 brings major updates across the acontis product portfolio — from expanded development flexibility with Rust support, to broader EtherCAT testing and simulation capabilities, to a redesigned EC-Engineer Web experience.

In this issue:

• EC-Master Rust API Support

  Develop EtherCAT applications in Rust with the new API wrapper

• EC-Simulator Support for 3rd Party EtherCAT MainDevices

  Use the new learning mode to simulate EtherCAT networks for MainDevices based on SOEM and EtherLab

• New EC-Engineer Web V3.0

  Discover the redesigned interface, improved usability, and new workflow enhancements

• EC-Engineer Now Available in Chinese

  Expanded language support helps teams deploy and configure EtherCAT networks more efficiently worldwide

• New Head of Sales

  Congratulations to Benjamin Bixel on his promotion to Head of Sales

EC-Master Now Supports Rust Programming

Rust continues to gain momentum in embedded and industrial software development thanks to its combination of high performance, memory safety, and modern development tooling. To support this growing ecosystem, acontis now offers a Rust API/Wrapper package for EC-Master.

The new Rust wrapper enables developers to integrate EC-Master functionality into Rust applications while leveraging the proven EC-Master Core libraries underneath. The wrapper and examples are written in Rust and are platform independent, while the underlying EC-Master libraries remain implemented in C++ for maximum performance and compatibility.

The package includes:

• Rust programming interface and wrapper library

• Example applications for both EC-Master and EC-Simulator

• Interactive demo mode for rapid EtherCAT network testing

• Support for Windows and Linux systems

The included EcMasterDemoRust demonstrates how to call the EC-Master API directly from Rust applications. Additionally, the EcSimulatorHiLDemoRust example allows developers to interactively test EtherCAT network behavior using EC-Simulator — for example by dynamically changing outputs and simulating different device conditions during runtime.

Rust support is available for:

• Windows and Linux

• Rust v1.90.0 and newer

• Microsoft Visual Studio Code

EC-Simulator V3.2.3 Expands Support for 3rd Party EtherCAT MainDevices

The latest EC-Simulator V3.2.3 release introduces enhanced support for 3rd party EtherCAT MainDevices, enabling more flexible development, testing, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulation workflows.

This enhancement works hand in hand with the learning mode previously introduced in EC-Inspector. The learning mode allows EtherCAT network configurations to be captured directly from running systems, making it possible to simulate networks even when an ENI file is not available or when working with EtherCAT MainDevices that do not support ENI-based configurations.

With this capability, EC-Simulator can now be integrated more easily into environments using open-source or third-party EtherCAT MainDevices such as:

• SOEM

• EtherLab

• Other non-ENI-based MainDevice implementations

In addition to expanded interoperability, EC-Simulator V3.2.3 also delivers major scalability and performance improvements for large EtherCAT simulations:

• Simulation of up to 500 SubDevices at 1 ms cycle time

• Support for even larger simulated networks

• Optimized ESC processing for significantly faster simulation performance

These improvements make EC-Simulator an even more powerful platform for development, validation, automated testing, and large-scale EtherCAT network simulation.

EC-Engineer Web V3.0 Introduces a New User Experience

The latest EC-Engineer Web V3.0 release delivers a completely redesigned user experience with a modern and intuitive interface aimed at simplifying EtherCAT network configuration, diagnostics, and analysis workflows.

In addition to the new visual design, V3.0 introduces several important functional enhancements to improve usability and system validation capabilities.

Key new features include:

• A redesigned and more intuitive user interface

• Self-test Scan functionality for verification of the physical layer and cabling

• Improved Simulation Mode capabilities for development and testing workflows

The new Self-test Scan feature helps users validate EtherCAT network cabling and physical connectivity more efficiently, making commissioning and troubleshooting easier during system integration.

With EC-Engineer Web V3.0, acontis continues to expand browser-based EtherCAT engineering tools with a focus on usability, diagnostics, and modern development workflows.

EC-Engineer Now Available in Chinese

acontis continues to expand global accessibility for EtherCAT engineering and configuration tools. EC-Engineer is now available with Chinese language support, making it easier for development and integration teams in Chinese-speaking environments to configure, diagnose, and manage EtherCAT networks.

The localized interface helps improve usability for engineers working directly with EtherCAT device configuration, topology management, and network diagnostics in their native language.

With this update, acontis further strengthens support for international customers and globally distributed automation projects.

We are pleased to announce that Benjamin Bixel has officially stepped into the role of Head of Sales at acontis technologies.

Benjamin joined acontis last spring as a Sales Engineer and quickly demonstrated a strong combination of technical expertise, reliability, and a highly customer-focused approach. Since joining the team, he has played an important role in supporting customers and partners across a wide range of EtherCAT and real-time communication projects.

In his new position, Benjamin will lead acontis’ global sales activities, with a focus on expanding international market presence, strengthening worldwide partnerships, and continuing to build strong direct customer relationships.

Congratulations, Benjamin — we look forward to the continued success ahead.