As they say, all good things must come to an end.  And so it is with the venerable FX3 Platform from Mitsubishi Electric.  The FX3 series PLC platform was released in the mid 2000s and has been on the market for almost 20 years.  The FX3 series replaced the FX1S/FX1N and FX2N series which was discontinued in 2012. 

The FX3 series continued to be a fantastic solution for cost effective control for a very long time.  The iQ-F (aka FX5 series) PLCs were subsequently released as the direct successor to the FX3 series.  The iQ-F series has now been on the market since about 2015.  With the recent release of DC powered FX5UJ and FX5S PLCs, the line is now positioned to replace all of the FX3U/FX3UC and FX3G series PLCs.

As a long-time Mitsubishi PLC user, I have been very excited about the iQ-F (FX5) family and the huge step forward that this series has provided over it's predecessor.  

With features such as:
- 150x Faster bus speed
- Multiple Program Capability
- Built-in Module Labels and Module Function Blocks
- SD Cards for data logging and other functions
- Built-in Ethernet for communications 
- New programming software in GX Works3
- Better motion control with improved Simple Motion modules

The FX5 Platform has become the go-to solution for small to mid-sized machines and continues to be the best value proposition in automation. 

If you are still using the FX3 series PLCs, with the exception of the FX3S, you should be transitioning to the FX5 series as End Of Life has now been announced for the FX3G series and although there's no current date for the FX3U series, these have also been announced as soon to be discontinued.  

I've attached an introduction the FX5 series and a transition guide.  For more information, contact your local Mitsubishi Distributor.
 

iQ-F Introduction L_NA_08915ENG.pdf FX3U FX3G Transition Guide JY997D66201.pdf