New-Tech Europe Magazine | August 2016 | Digital edition

Molex - Complete Connectivity Solutions for Automation Infrastructures

Hannah-Lena Gehring, Molex

The desire to harness the wealth of information available from smart, networked devices to revolutionise industrial processes is the very essence of Industry 4.0. Machine builders are taking every opportunity to adopt technologies that help realise this concept – one being secure connectivity solutions that perform reliably, even under extremely harsh conditions. In this article, Hannah- Lena Gehring, product manager for the Brad® M16, M23 and M40 product range in the transportation and industrial division at Molex, outlines the connectivity solutions supporting automation infrastructures and presents new additions that complement the offering. Automobile builders and other high- end manufacturers are already applying Industry 4.0 techniques, creating enterprise-wide Ethernet platforms that link directly from the office to the device. Here, a well- designed infrastructure is required that mitigates security risks while providing

transparency to assess what’s happening on the plant floor. This promises clear advantages to OEMs, in terms of cost and risk reductions, performance enhancements and greater flexibility. Machine builders, line builders and robotic system integrators alike are looking to vendors to provide ready- made and assembled interconnect solutions that include everything from PLC backplane modules to multiport and IO blocks to provide soft-wiring connections to IOs. In addition, they are also looking for interface cards that support communication between the robotics and the rest of the line as well as power connectors to control motors and servo systems. As industrial automation technologies continue to improve manufacturing quality and efficiency, Molex is committed to remaining ahead of the curve. Reflecting these trends, Molex has widened its offering for the industrial automation infrastructure via strategic acquisitions and new

product developments. Today, Molex technology can provide everything from a single connector to a fully realised solution. With a broad portfolio of standard Brad products to address all kinds of industrial automation applications, these products can also be modified for customer-specific needs. The circular connectors are offered with IP69k sealing and are UL approved. This product family also includes IEC compliant connectors, such as the Cat 6, Micro-Change CHT (Circular Hybrid Technology) and Industrial Ethernet interconnect solutions. A comprehensive range of cables for sensors, measurement, controls, robotics, network and drives applications, manufactured and rigorously tested at the Molex Flamar facility in Italy, provide excellent performance, quality and durability for this industrial sector. The standard portfolio addresses a broad range of applications, while customer-specific solutions are also possible.

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