Technical Translations for Automation Technology & Robotics
PLC programming, robot safety, HMI and Industry 4.0 documentation – precise, standards-compliant and terminology-consistent in more than 40 languages.
ISO 10218 & ISO/TS 15066 · OPC UA · IEC 61131-3 · ISO 17100 · Industry 4.0
The automation technology combines mechanics, electronics and software to create systems that can autonomously control, regulate and monitor machines and plants. Automation technology is the cross-cutting discipline of modern manufacturing, from individual programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to fully networked Industry 4.0 lines. Robotics is the most visible part of this discipline: industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots) and handling systems perform manufacturing, assembly and inspection tasks.
COMLOGOS has been translating technical documentation for automation and robotics system manufacturers since 2007. This includes PLC programming manuals, robot operating manuals, HMI text, safety assessments and interface descriptions. These are all controller-neutral, terminologically secure and standard-compliant. Germany's mechanical engineering and automation companies are world leaders; correspondingly, exacting standards apply to multilingual documentation.
Who we work for in automation technology
This page is intended for individuals responsible for delivering process-reliable, comprehensible automation-related content that is ready for the target market. This content can be in the form of technical writing, control/PLC programming, robotics engineering, commissioning, servicing, or export/compliance.
Sub-fields we regularly translate for
- Control and regulation technology: PLCs, drive and process control
- Industrial and robot technology: industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots), handling systems
- Human–machine interfaces (HMI): user interfaces, visualisation
- Industrial communication: OPC UA, PROFINET, EtherCAT, field bus systems
- Industry 4.0 and MES: networking and data integration; manufacturing execution systems
- Drive technology: electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic
- Image processing and sensor technology: vision systems, quality inspection
- Measurement and testing technology: sensor technology, calibration, measurement data acquisition
Request a project & receive expert advice
Do you have technical documents that need translating? Send us 1–2 sample files. You will receive a specific recommendation and a quote within 24 hours.
Measurement and sensor technology: An integral part of automation
Today, measurement technology and automation are barely distinguishable as separate fields: sensors supply the measurement data that controllers use for regulation purposes. We translate documentation on the entire measurement chain, from sensor technology and calibration to test equipment management. For accredited test processes in particular, every standard-related term is important.
| Standard / term | Area | Relevance for translation |
|---|---|---|
| DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 | Accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories | Test reports and calibration certificates must be translated in a standard-compliant, audit-ready manner |
| MID (2014/32/EU) | Measuring Instruments Directive | Conformity documentation for legally controlled measuring instruments in the EU market |
| DAkkS calibration | Accredited calibration (Germany) | Calibration certificates and traceability records: terminologically precise |
| VIM / GUM | Metrology vocabulary and measurement uncertainty | International vocabulary of metrology: harmonised terminology across languages |
Typical documents: sensor data sheets, calibration instructions, test protocols, measurement system analyses (MSA) and operating manuals for measurement and test systems.
Document types we regularly translate
| Document type | Typical content | Translation focus |
|---|---|---|
| Operating and user manuals | Robot cells, automation lines | Clarity, safety logic, standard language |
| PLC programming manuals | Structured text, function blocks (IEC 61131-3) | Translate comments, leave code logic unchanged |
| Robot programming | KUKA KRL, ABB RAPID, FANUC TP | Operating instructions and comments, manufacturer-specific terminology |
| HMI and software strings | User interfaces, messages, error texts | Character limit check, UI consistency, context |
| Safety assessments | Risk assessments, PL evidence (ISO 13849) | Safety-critical terminology, verifiability |
| Interface documentation | OPC UA, PROFINET, field bus, MES integration | Technical precision, consistent protocol terminology |
| Service and maintenance | Maintenance schedules, diagnostics, troubleshooting | Practical clarity for service technicians |
AI-assisted translations with post-editing: economical and audit-ready
Automation and robotics manufacturers continuously update their documentation with new controller generations, changed safety functions and additional language variants. AI-assisted translation with professional post-editing (MTPE) provides an economical solution without compromising on safety and compliance COMLOGOS works to ISO 18587, the international standard for post-editing machine translations. We also secure quality for safety-critical content (risk assessments, ISO 10218 evidence and PLC safety logic) through classic specialised translation under the ISO 17100 four-eyes principle.
Related expertise from COMLOGOS
Mechanical Engineering
Design documentation, operating instructions, maintenance documentation: specialised translation for German mechanical engineering in all target languages.
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Electrical Engineering & Digital Industry
From the component data sheet to the Industry 4.0 solution: specialised translation across the entire ZVEI ecosystem.
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Control Cabinet Manufacturing & Control Engineering
PLC code, terminal diagrams, control cabinet documentation: translated precisely for global commissioning.
Learn moreWhat industry and engineering clients say about COMLOGOS
'Fast turnaround, good pricing, high-quality texts — what more could you ask of a translation service? We've worked closely with COMLOGOS for several years and have consistently been satisfied with the results. Our customers receive only the best, and the documentation is part of that.'
'For the translation of technical specialist texts, COMLOGOS has been our reliable partner for years. Working with COMLOGOS is always straightforward and fast, whatever the language, and the quality of the translation is always the highest.'
FAQ Specialised translations for automation technology and robotics
We distinguish clearly between translatable comments and operator text, and the machine code, which must remain unchanged. We maintain separate terminology databases for each control system (KUKA KRL, ABB RAPID and FANUC). We can validate on the simulator or with your programmers on request.
EN ISO 10218-1/-2 (robot safety), ISO/TS 15066 (cobots), EN ISO 13849 (control system safety), IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming), OPC UA (IEC 62541) and the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 for CE conformity.
Yes. Measurement and sensor technology is an integral part of automation. We translate test reports, calibration certificates and sensor data sheets in a standard-compliant way, incorporating terminology from DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, MID and DAkkS calibration.
HMI strings must be technically accurate and fit within the specified character/pixel limits. We use character limit checks and pseudo-translation for early layout control, as well as aligning critical terms such as error messages and control buttons terminologically.
According to EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, an operating manual must be made available in the official languages of the Member State in which a machine is placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity is also provided in all the target countries’ official languages.
This is achieved through client-owned translation memories, central terminology databases, and defined spellings for components, functions, and states. This prevents terminology drift between releases, controller worlds, and teams.
Your specialised translation service for automation and robot technology.
We translate your technical documentation, including PLC documentation, HMI text, robot operating manuals, and safety notices, precisely and terminologically faithfully, and on time. Request your no-obligation quote now.
ISO 17100 certified · four-eyes principle with a second specialised translator · NDA & confidential data handling · native-speaker specialised translators
