Connector trends

The automation industry is looking for solutions that enable machines and systems to be easily adapted to global production requirements as well as local customer specifications.  

Trends and requirements born out of the Industry 4.0 revolution also influence the connectivity level of a machine or system. As customers demand customized solutions and higher flexibility, industrial automation components should reflect these demands. Today, connectors and cables are developed to enable individual production procedures within the context of serial processes. In order to fulfill these requirements, products must be smaller, faster, safer, and more powerful.

One clear trend is the need for data connectors that facilitate the interconnectivity of components. It doesn’t matter if it’s RJ45 or M12 X-coded, these high-performance connectors are in the forefront of building machines and designing systems. The accurate transmission of data and power in one, preassembled hybrid cordset, like the M12 Y-coded connector, is a new industry standard. It’s important that these components remain compact and small, but along with the size, the connector has to be resistant to vibration. Rugged environments put high demands on products, and connectors should be easy to connect and maintain their seal.

Connectors are currently being developed that enable machines and systems to become modular. With customer’s increasing demands that solutions be customisable and flexible, connectors and cables have to make these machine requirements a reality. Heavy-duty connectors that bundle many different lines, including hydraulic, pneumatic, data, and power, are leading the industry for modular machine and system applications. These components make it easy for machines to be disassembled, transported, and reassembled quickly and error-free; they also enable manufacturing facilities to reconfigure their shop floor based on changing customer demands.

In the new industrial revolution, products are becoming “smarter.” Key topics like preventative maintenance and early warning systems are integrated into every level of a machine or system today and will only become more pervasive in the future. The connectivity level is no different. In the future, connectors and cables should be able to notify maintenance staff that they are nearing the end of their lifetime and need to be changed out. Notifications like this are cost-effective and can dramatically increase uptime within a machine or system.