PIA Line Controller 6.1 adds new features for connected manufacturing
Published on Nov 11, 2026
Share
More precise production data queries and greater flexibility in material sourcing
Which parts passed through a particular production station and failed inspection? The new part search in PIA Line Controller 6.1 makes it faster and easier to find the answer in the production data. The update also gives manufacturers more flexibility in sourcing materials, simplifies integration of the measurement application with different control systems, and helps operators pinpoint the causes of production issues.
Part of the PIA Industrial App Suite (piaIAS), the PIA Line Controller is a database-driven control system that gives manufacturers visibility into individual production stages and the manufacturing process as a whole. With version 6.1, PIA is also expanding its digital automation portfolio with LineGPT, an AI assistant that lets users ask questions about line performance in everyday language.
Targeted searches for affected parts
The new part search helps users find what they need in complex production datasets. They can filter by attributes such as serial number, status, timestamp, or measured value and combine filters using AND or OR. For example, users can identify every part that had an out-of-tolerance measurement at a specific test station during the previous shift. This narrows the scope of troubleshooting and helps engineers identify where to improve line performance.
Full traceability across multiple suppliers
Manufacturers can now use the PIA Line Controller’s bill of materials to specify multiple variants of the same material from different suppliers. When a material is scanned on the line, the system accepts approved alternatives and automatically records which material was used. Manufacturers can switch suppliers and maintain an unbroken traceability record.
Simpler control system integration and line-specific navigation
A new application interface allows the line controller to trigger a measurement directly with a signal, eliminating the need for a dedicated software block. This makes it easier to connect the measurement application to control systems from vendors such as Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, and Siemens.
For the first time, operators can also choose which pages appear in the PIA Line Controller’s navigation tree for each production line. Hiding entries that a particular line does not need makes the interface easier to navigate and helps operators find the functions they use every day.
Production data analysis in conversation with LineGPT
LineGPT makes production data accessible to a wider range of users. Analyses that previously required specialist knowledge can now start with a question in the chat. For example, users can ask how many units the line produced during the last shift or how the scrap rate has changed over time. Direct access to these figures helps operators make informed decisions while the line is running.
“We don’t want the production line to be a black box for our customers. We want to make it quick and easy for them to understand what’s happening on their line,” says Harald Haidacher, product owner for the PIA Line Controller.
