Rapid innovation in the industrial market is driving new trends for and response from specialized connector distributors. The industrial market, which is often overlooked, encompasses farming, construction, machinery equipment, off-road transportation, and factory automation. In a recent interview for Offboard-Sourcing.com, Joao Rocha, European Industrial Development Business Manager for PEI-Genesis, gave insight on some of the trends that have triggered new global demand for interconnect solutions for both harsh and non-harsh environments.
1. Smart Factories
With today’s factories being highly automated, processes and equipment rely on fast data exchange, pre-emptive monitoring systems, connection to the internet and even cloud computing for increased efficiency and control.
“Machinery and systems communicate and cooperate over the internet of things to establish where a product is at every stage of the process,” said Rocha. “They perform pre-emptive maintenance, anticipating and pinpointing problems quickly. Factory automation demands smart remote I/O interfaces because most of the installation and repair is done in the field. As distributors, we service this high mix, low volume demand with the ability to ship custom engineered solutions fast, with no minimum order quantity.”
To keep up with innovation in this sector, interconnect system suppliers need to be ready with solutions that offer increased smart remote I/O interfaces, fast data speed, tool-less termination systems and automatic track and trace radio frequency communication.
2. Hybrid Engines For Construction Vehicles, Trucks and Buses
On-board systems for these vehicles often need to generate, store, and use energy differently than traditional diesel systems. There is also a need for more integrated solutions where the enclosure, connector and cable are all in one unit.
“There can be more than 100 different connectors in one hybrid vehicle,” Rocha explained. It might have a battery pack, a power distribution unit, a motor control unit, a charger and a motor — and they all have to be interconnected with power, signal and data.
“Our design experts help with the right solutions, as well as simplifying logistics. We also maintain a broad range of connectors that support both the power, signal and data needs of these vehicles,” Rocha said.
3. Farming Evolution
Like factory automation, the smart farms of today rely on connected, predictive and responsive systems to drive precision, efficiency and yield, all while working as sustainably as possible.
Farming 4.0 equipment is often driverless and carries sensors that test soil pH levels. The results are transmitted to a remote location and information is sent back to prescribe the correct soil additive to ensure healthy plants.
This kind of precision farming ensures optimum yield on every square meter of land, a vital factor when the world’s population keeps growing and food demand is at an all-time high. Equipment in the farming sector requires the energy to carry out tasks on the spot and because of this, connectors and sensors may have to withstand higher power levels.
Most importantly, all of these systems need to withstand harsh elements, like vibration, dust, moisture, ultraviolet light and chemicals that may corrode plastics and metal plating.
“Some chemicals used in farming are highly corrosive, even to plastic elements. PEI-Genesis’s focus is application-specific harsh environment solutions, whether it’s protecting against dust and UV on a farm or resisting blasts on military equipment,” said Rocha.
PEI-Genesis is well positioned as a preferred partner in the industrial market. We engage customers early in the design cycle to develop engineered solutions that meet specific application requirements. We deliver interconnect solutions with speed and quality, for harsh and non-harsh environments.
PEI-Genesis offers you the most complete range of qualified electrical power and signal connectors for electrical vehicles, industrial equipment, as well as rail, mass-transit and harsh-environment military applications.
