Nordborg, Denmark – 2025 marked an important milestone for Danfoss Power Solutions: the 20th anniversary of PLUS+1®, the machine control platform originally launched by Sauer-Danfoss. From the very beginning, PLUS+1® was designed to give manufacturers in mobile hydraulics the ability to customize electronic control for their machines – long before smartphones and social media dominated technological development.
What is PLUS+1® today?
Over two decades, PLUS+1® has evolved from a graphical development tool into a complete control platform that combines:
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Software, such as PLUS+1 GUIDE, for quickly building and customizing electrohydraulic subsystems and vehicle control.
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Service tools: The PLUS+1 Service Tool makes it easier for field technicians to update firmware, troubleshoot machines, and adjust parameters.
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Hardware that is programmable and compliant, enabling Danfoss electronic and electrohydraulic products to be seamlessly integrated into complete control systems.
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Support from Danfoss engineering teams, who can assist OEMs with parts of the development or entire software/control projects.
Why PLUS+1® has become so significant
According to Danfoss, PLUS+1® has had a major impact on how manufacturers design and deliver mobile machines:
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The platform has enabled OEMs to bring machines to market faster, thanks to ready-to-use function blocks and application libraries that simplify programming – even for those with less experience.
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The ability to integrate with different coding languages and systems (Qt, C, MATLAB/Simulink, PLCopen, etc.) has provided flexibility and made it easier to reuse existing code.
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Significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and safety for machines using PLUS+1®, driven by adaptability and robust control capabilities.
Looking ahead
To meet the demands of the future, PLUS+1® continues to evolve with a focus on:
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Greater system flexibility, for example, allowing users to program directly in text-based languages while still benefiting from the platform’s tools and libraries.
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Stronger emphasis on connectivity and autonomous functions, enabling machines to become more connected and self-governing.
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Expanded use of AI and machine learning to enhance diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and operational monitoring.
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Continued focus on functional safety and cybersecurity, particularly as more machines become connected.
