In order to ensure that the interface assembly for power and signal transmission can be efficiently and safely integrated into the company's own production processes for energy chains and Cablessystems can be integrated, cooperates Igus with Harting as a supplier and design-in partner of modular "Han" industrialConnectors. Christian Stremlau and Guido Selhorst give insight into the cooperation.
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29.11.2018/XNUMX/XNUMX | Igus and Harting work as part of a technology cooperation in matters Energy chain and Connectors together. On the SPS IPC Drives we have Guido Selhorst, Head of Corporate Market Communication, Harting AG & Co. KG, Espelkamp and Christian Stremlau, Head of readychain & readycable division, Igus GmbH, Cologne. We asked the following questions:
24.03.2017/XNUMX/XNUMX | Polymer-bearings and energy chainssystems form the two business areas of igus. The company supplies ready-to-connect energy chains including all components. The cables for supplying the plants with data, power and signals are safely routed through the plastic chains. Depending on customer requirements, special guide channels support the quiet and low-friction running of the chains and minimize the load on the lines.
Han modular von Harting supplies the appropriate interfaces. The modular Connectorsseries includes around 100 modules from which connectors for the transmission of signals, power and gaseous media can be configured depending on the requirements. Holding frames and adapters enable the combination of a wide variety of modules to form connectors, which can be used in all the essential housing types integrate.
What is special about Han-Modular is the possibility hybrid configure connectors. Automated production lines require an intensive exchange of data and signals for control. Han-Modular connectors can therefore not only transmit power in an interface, but also optical and electrical signals as well as processed compressed air.
In detail, the modular connector range includes contacts and inserts for outputs of up to 200 A / 1000 V, high-voltage modules for a maximum of 40 A / 5000 V and signal modules with a packing density of up to 25 contacts per individual module (4 to 10 A / 50 to 250 V. ). Ethernet Cat 6Ainterfaces are available as well as modules for fiber optic transmission in single and multimode fibers as well as various BUS technologies (e.g. Profibus). The Han Pneumatic Module also opens up options for transferring treated compressed air up to 10 bar.
With Kuka from the Harting connector to robot connectivity
In addition to the ability to integrate into its own production, the following criteria were decisive for the plastics specialist when selecting Harting as a supplier for modular connectors:
“An important aspect is that the connectors can be processed particularly cost-effectively in large numbers using crimp contacts. After all, the crimping can be fully or partially automated as required,” says Christian Stremlau, Head of the Readycable + Readychain division at igus. “We have found a preferred supplier in Harting,” Stremlau continues. "The interaction of high material availability on the part of igus and exact adherence to delivery dates and high quality on the part of Harting ensures that customers always receive short delivery times and the best quality at fair prices from us," says Stremlau.
igus is currently optimizing its production with the aim of efficient industrial one-off production. A decisive criterion is always the simplicity: “The Rectangular connector are versatile and yet easy to work with,” says Stremlau.
This is why the standards required for assembling the interfaces can be effortlessly transferred to the other twelve igus factories all over the world. "As a result, our customers around the world receive our fully assembled, high-quality energy chain systems even faster - supplied with industrial connectors from Harting."
An particularly attractivehe item in the connector manufacturer's program for the automation specialist is the "Han-Modular" series. By integrating several contact inserts with different functions in one housing, interfaces can be dimensioned in a particularly space-saving and cost-conscious manner. Modular connectors adapt flexibly to the respective installation situation. The installation and maintenance costs are reduced.
The whole world of igus robots
Because the Han Modular program is so extensive, it almost always allows for the right adaptation. Limits are only reached when cable specifications do not leave sufficient wiring leeway from a purely physical point of view. However, such problems can usually be remedied by careful dimensioning.
In some cases, power and signal transmission must be specially shielded from each other. The connector specialist offers its own specific solutions for this, such as this Han Shieldedmodule on. The latter is used to transmit highly sensitive voltage signals that must not be exposed to any external influences.
The authors are Christian Stremlau (l.), Head of the Readychain + Readycable business unit at Igus and Guido Selhorst, Head of Market Management at Harting Germany.