Panasonic FP PLC Series

Panasonic Electric Works (now Panasonic Industry) organises its FP controller range from ultra-compact DIN-rail units to high-capacity modular systems, all programmed via FPWIN GR7 (or FPWIN Pro for legacy models).

FP0R and FP0H — Ultra-Compact DIN-Rail PLC

The FP0R is Panasonic's smallest PLC — 25 mm body width, 16 points (8 DI + 8 DO), expandable to 128 I/O via right-side expansion units. Despite its size, the FP0R delivers 0.32 µs basic instruction speed, RS-232C and RS-485 communication ports, and 2-axis pulse output at up to 100 kHz. It is the benchmark ultra-compact PLC for space-constrained control panels in conveyor sub-stations, gate controllers, and small machine modules.

The FP0H adds Ethernet (100 Mbps) and USB to the FP0R architecture — maintaining the 25 mm form factor while adding network connectivity for remote monitoring. In Malaysian packaging and F&B lines, FP0H units serve as distributed sub-controllers networked back to a supervisory HMI or SCADA.

• FP0R-C16CT: 16 I/O, transistor output, 2-axis pulse output. Priced from approximately RM 600 – RM 1,200.
• FP0H-C16ET: 16 I/O, built-in Ethernet + USB. Priced from approximately RM 1,000 – RM 2,000.

FP-X0 and FP-X — Compact with Motion

The FP-X0 is a step up from the FP0R — same slim body, but with 14 built-in I/O and expansion capability to 256 points. The FP-X (full version) offers a 32-bit floating-point ALU, high-speed counter inputs at 200 kHz, and 4-axis pulse output at 200 kHz — suitable for multi-axis stepper systems.

The FP-X is the Panasonic choice for packaging machine builders who need compact PLC logic paired with simultaneous multi-axis positioning, without the cost of a full motion controller. In Malaysian food packaging and pharmaceutical blister packaging equipment, FP-X with Panasonic MINAS A6 servo drives handles label applicator, fill/seal, and reject conveyor axes.

• FP-X C30T: 30 I/O, transistor output, 4-axis pulse output. Priced from approximately RM 1,500 – RM 3,500.

FP7 — High-Performance Modular PLC

The FP7 is Panasonic's flagship modular controller — CPU, power supply, and I/O modules on a backplane, scalable from 16 to 4,000 I/O points. The FP7 CPU includes 100 Mbps Ethernet, USB, RS-232C, and RS-485 — and a built-in web server that streams live PLC data to standard web browsers, simplifying remote diagnostics in Malaysian factories without additional SCADA middleware.

FP7 supports Panasonic's MEWTOCOL-COM and Modbus TCP protocols over Ethernet, enabling integration with existing SCADA systems and MES platforms. Motion control expansion cards support up to 8-axis pulse output or optional DeviceNet/PROFIBUS networking.

• FP7 CPU: base unit starts from approximately RM 8,000 – RM 15,000depending on model. Full system with I/O modules scales to RM 40,000+.

Panasonic FP Series vs. Other PLC Brands

Panasonic FP series fills a specific niche in Malaysian automation: engineers specify it when the combination of compact form factor, multi-axis pulse output, and value pricing is the priority — rather than network ecosystem depth (Siemens) or widest local installer base (Mitsubishi).

Criteria	Panasonic FP0R/FP-X	Mitsubishi FX3U	Omron CP1H
Body width (compact)	25 mm	60 mm	87 mm
Pulse output (built-in)	Up to 4 axes, 200 kHz	3 axes, 100 kHz	4 axes, 1 MHz
Built-in analogue	FP-X optional	Module required	Built-in (CP1H)
Network (compact)	FP0H: Ethernet built-in	Module required	Adapter required
Programming software	FPWIN GR7	GX Works2/3	CX-Programmer/Sysmac Studio
Price (entry compact)	RM 600 – RM 1,200	RM 800 – RM 1,500	RM 700 – RM 1,500

 

Panasonic FP PLC Price Guide — Malaysia (MYR)

Model	I/O	Key Feature	Price (MYR)
FP0R-C16CT	16 pts	Ultra-compact, 25 mm, transistor	RM 600 – RM 1,200
FP0H-C16ET	16 pts	Ultra-compact + Ethernet + USB	RM 1,000 – RM 2,000
FP-X0 C14R	14 pts	Slim, expandable to 256 I/O	RM 800 – RM 1,500
FP-X C30T	30 pts	4-axis pulse, 200 kHz HS counter	RM 1,500 – RM 3,500
FP-XH C30T	30 pts	High-performance FP-X, web server	RM 2,500 – RM 5,000
FP7 CPS31	Modular	Ethernet, web server, 4,000 I/O	RM 8,000 – RM 40,000+

 

*Contact Flextech Industrial for current pricing. Prices vary by I/O type and communication configuration.*

Panasonic FP PLC and Panasonic MINAS Servo Drives

Panasonic FP series PLCs pair naturally with Panasonic MINAS A4, A5, and A6 servo drives via pulse/direction positioning — a simple, wiring-friendly integration that avoids the complexity of fieldbus commissioning. In Malaysian packaging and assembly machines, the FP-X + MINAS A6 combination handles 1–4 axis positioning with:

• FP-X pulse output → MINAS A6 command input
• MINAS A6 encoder feedback → FP-X high-speed counter input
• Program in FPWIN GR7 using position control instructions (F171/F172)

Flextech Industrial stocks both FP-X PLCs and Panasonic MINAS servo drives for complete axis-level sourcing from a single Selangor supplier.

Panasonic PLC in Malaysian Industry

Packaging and Labelling (Selangor, Shah Alam): FP-X with 4-axis pulse output drives label dispensers, date coders, and conveyor transfer arms in Malaysian FMCG packaging plants. The compact body fits in sub-100-mm-wide panel slots common in retrofitted packaging lines.

Electronics Assembly (Penang, Selangor): FP0H distributed controllers with Ethernet run as sub-system nodes in PCB test fixtures and screen printing equipment, where DIN-rail space per unit is limited to 25–30 mm.

HVAC and Building Automation: FP0R and FP7 are found in Malaysian commercial HVAC control panels — chiller sequencers, AHU controllers, and BMS sub-station controllers — benefiting from the FP7's web server for remote monitoring without BACnet gateway hardware.

Malaysia's NIMP 2030 push for smart factory connectivity has driven demand for FP0H (Ethernet) and FP7 upgrades in existing Panasonic FP installations — enabling remote dashboarding without replacing the entire panel infrastructure.

Top Panasonic FP PLC Models at Flextech Industrial

• Panasonic FP0R-C16CT— ultra-compact 16 I/O, transistor, 2-axis pulse, RS-232C/RS-485.
• Panasonic FP0H-C16ET— ultra-compact 16 I/O + built-in Ethernet and USB.
• Panasonic FP-X C30T— 30 I/O, 4-axis pulse output at 200 kHz, expandable to 256 points.
• Panasonic FP-XH C30T— high-performance variant with web server and enhanced motion.
• Panasonic FP7— modular system, 4,000 I/O, Ethernet, built-in web server.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest Panasonic PLC available in Malaysia?

The Panasonic FP0R is Panasonic's smallest PLC at just 25 mm body width. It provides 16 I/O (expandable to 128), 2-axis pulse output at 100 kHz, and RS-232C/RS-485 communication in a DIN-rail-mounted housing smaller than most competitors' entry-level compact PLCs. The FP0H adds Ethernet to this form factor.

How do I program a Panasonic FP series PLC?

Panasonic FP series PLCs are programmed using FPWIN GR7 software (current version, free download from Panasonic Industry). Older models (FP0, FP1) use FPWIN Pro. Connect via USB (FP0H, FP-XH) or RS-232C (FP0R). FPWIN GR7 supports Ladder Diagram, Structured Text, and Function Block programming.

What is the price of Panasonic FP0R in Malaysia?

The Panasonic FP0R compact PLC is priced from approximately RM 600 – RM 1,200 in Malaysia depending on output type (relay vs. transistor) and I/O count. Contact Flextech Industrial for current MYR pricing on FP0R-C16RS (relay) and FP0R-C16CT (transistor) variants.

Can Panasonic FP-X communicate with Mitsubishi or Omron HMIs?

Yes — Panasonic FP-X PLCs support Modbus RTU over RS-485 and MEWTOCOL-COM serial protocol. Most third-party HMIs (Weintek, Proface, Delta) include Panasonic FP Ethernet/serial drivers. Native Panasonic GT02/GT32 HMI panels communicate directly over RS-232C with plug-and-play driver selection.

Does Panasonic make a modular PLC for large I/O systems?

Yes — the Panasonic FP7 is a fully modular PLC supporting up to 4,000 I/O points, built-in Ethernet with web server, multiple communication options (RS-232C, RS-485, Ethernet), and motion control expansion. It competes directly with Mitsubishi iQ-R and Omron CJ2 for large-scale machine and process control in Malaysia.

*Flextech Industrial Supplies — Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Genuine Panasonic FP series PLC. Fast quotation for FP0R, FP0H, FP-X, and FP7 models.*