Northampton-based business has joined the global automation membership body
PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) has more than 1,700 members worldwide and is the hub of continuous development of Profibus and Profinet technology. Some say it is amongst the most important enabling technologies in automation.
igus, which has its UK headquarters in Northampton, has embraced Profinet technology with its chainflex cable range and offers machine builders and system integrators nine different Profinet cable types, all specifically developed for continuous movement in an energy chain.
John Barker, Chainflex product manager at igus, says "Profinet is increasingly important in dynamic applications, so we are delighted to have joined PI as a global cable manufacturer. We are committed to further advancing the development of this exciting technology, ensuring our customers benefit from cable solutions that always meet existing and new electrical requirements. “
Profinet offers significant advantages for industry: a large amount of data can be transferred at up to 100 Mbit/second based on the Ethernet protocol. This technology can prove challenging for standard cables when used in a moving machine, especially where space is restricted. For this reason, igus has been developing cables that are specifically suitable for use in energy chains and on robots for more than 25 years.