Meet the Connector: Single-Pair Ethernet Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) is a single, twisted pair of copper wires that replaces the traditional 2- or 4-pair Ethernet configurations. SPE technology has been developed to bring Ethernet the “last mile” to the factory floor — the sensor/actuator level, specifically monitoring devices at the edge of industrial networks such asRead More

Industry 4.0. Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT, Smart Factory. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are generation-defining trends that are changing manufacturing. Connectors play an important role in enabling the future of industrial automation. That raises the question: how can a single component play such a huge role in revolutionizing the entire manufacturing process?  More thanRead More

Automation, robotics, and a mix of human and machine decision-making combine to create factory floors that are efficient and safe, while also addressing energy, materials, decarbonization, and environmental sustainability. This is the essence of smart manufacturing. In his article, “The 15th Anniversary of Smart Manufacturing – Grassroots Leadership, Greater Good, Timing, and Perseverance,” Jim Davis,Read More

Smart factories are optimizing production methods and output with the help of automation edge controllers and sensors that collect, network, and evaluate data. Networked, intelligent, self-controlling, self-optimizing, and resource-efficient production comprise the smart factory, the central scenario of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0. Manufacturers are facing increasing materials, labor, and energyRead More

Download this free resource to learn more about new solutions. In our Fall 2022 eBook, Smart Connectivity, Connected Infrastructure, and the Internet of Things, industry experts explore the role interconnects play in the vast array of connected technology. Connected devices are part of nearly all areas of life, from consumer gadgets to industry technology to medicalRead More

High-speed, compact, and powerful new connectivity solutions for Industrial Ethernet-based networks make it easy to upgrade existing cabling. The concept behind Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) touches all industries. From process control and automotive assembly to robotics and the food and beverage industry, data collection empowers smart factories, suppliers, and customersRead More

As IoT ecosystems move to support high-density, low latency networks, and continue to incorporate various new features into radios and overall system layouts, there is an even greater premium put on antenna system design.  The Internet of Things (IoT) is helping to create smart environments by linking interconnected devices that can transmit and share dataRead More

Industrial rectangular connectors have been a mainstay of heavy-duty and automation applications since the 1950s. Tomorrow’s rectangular automation connectors will look much the same as they do today — on the outside. But inside, these connectors are becoming more powerful, capable, and versatile.     The foundational need for proven durability ensures that tomorrow’s industrial rectangularRead More

Real-time communication in industrial processes allows for process optimization and reduction in downtime. It requires reliable connector and cabling solutions that meet the demands of industrial environments while enabling high-speed data transmission and supporting various industrial communications protocols.   The evolution of industrial communications has increased the need for intelligence built into field devices, so theseRead More

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. June 2022 Connector Industry News June 2022 Connector Industry News  > Award News HARTING announced that Rainer Zietlow, after completing the longest journey by an electric vehicle in a single country (57,000Read More

An update on activities related to SPE standardization and implementation in industrial and automated applications. Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) promises to revolutionize industrial applications with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gb/s) over a single pair. Yet there are still questions surrounding standardization and the benefits of SPE when compared to industrial RJ45 and otherRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors for smart buildings and smart factory applications from leading suppliers. Connectors for Smart Buildings & Smart Factory Applications LEMO connectors can be used on collaborative robots for industrial applications as well as for control, articulated manipulator, and automation systems. As robots become more complex, LEMO connectors enable connecting sensors,Read More