Rational installation technology aids machine wiring

Data Panel GmbH, a company in the Murrelektronik Group, now offers an electronic installation solution for mobile machinery that is said to be modular, highly flexible and future-proof

Mobile machinery is still in its infancy when it comes to what Murrelektronik refers to as "rational installation technology". Although cable harnesses and terminal boxes acurrently remain the dominant technology, in recent years more electronic technologies have found their way into machines and this has had a direct effect on the wiring effort for machine builders. Further, manufacturers also have more options in their product range to better cover market requirements, one result of which is that the traditional cable harness and terminal box solutions are increasingly reaching their limits.

Depending on the type of machine, some manufacturers say that due to the weight, the cable harness can only be installed with several helping hands and in some cases, the support of an indoor crane may be required. Machine builders will be aware that another critical situation is that when connecting many individual strands, it is sometimes difficult to ensure that each individual strand is tightened and leakproof. If even a single seal fails, moisture or an operating medium can penetrate into the housing of the controller, sensor or actuator with the net result that the machine can fail.

Simple, fast and error-free assembly 

In March 2020, the Murrelektronik Group founded Data Panel GmbH with the aim of either solving or eliminating the problems and weaknesses just outlined. Its portfolio includes high-quality, decentralised electrotechnical installation solutions for mobile machinery. This modular system (comprising of fieldbus modules, passive distributors and pre-assembled cables) is stated to offer a highly coordinated, modular and pluggable system. Specifically manufactured for the mobile machines market, Murrelektronik claims that the new system has “revolutionised wiring and cabling” and makes it possible to economically work with smaller batch sizes.

The fully encapsulated CANopen fieldbus modules from the company’s xtremeDB product family offer eight slots for inputs or outputs. The signal types (digital, analogue, ratiometric, frequency/counter and encoder signals) can be individually configured for inputs. DO (4A/10A), PWM/PWM(I) and PVG valve controls on the output side round off the signal range. 

Thanks to an end-to-end DT-compatible connection technology, the module, which is made of a reinforced plastic housing material, can be used in machines in which the designer can use pre-assembled sheathed cables or, alternatively, use single wires for connection if preferred. 

The use of passive distributors creates the intermediate step from parallel wiring harness or terminal box wiring to the plugged fieldbus technology and also offers the possibility of bringing "on-board" inputs and outputs on the controller into the field simply and cost-effectively says Murrelektronik. In contrast to the cable harness, the plug-in system allows subsequent expansions or adaptations of the machine electronics without any problems. 

With the complete xtremeDB product family, machine setup and commissioning can be carried out without expert knowledge using Murrelektronik's pre-assembled and tested connection cables based on DT plug-in technology. When these connecting cables are used, the active and passive modules are confirmed to meet IP68, IP66K, and IP69K standards. Alternatively, the cable can be assembled with DT or compatible connectors. The modular system of pre-assembled and tested components and a wide range of accessories ensure a high degree of independence when wiring sensors and actuators. Another advantage of xtremeDB is the independence from cable manufacturers that it provides. Due to the easy handling of the components of the new modular installation system, machine builders are not dependent on their capacity resources. 

In the terminal box, the change of technology results in a significant space saving, since additional input and output modules and the potential terminal level are replaced in addition to the mobile control. This means that signals are no longer wired individually and laboriously "in the box", but simply and efficiently installed -decentralised-  in the machine.  As a result the terminal box can therefore be smaller or possibly, in some cases, even completely omitted. Cable glands (and thus potential weak points) are no longer required. As a result, says Murrelektronik, installation time is reduced to a minimum and when servicing is required, the connecting cables can be quickly and easily replaced on site or repaired with self-attachable plugs.

Cable management is coming along in leaps and bounds
Cable management is coming along in leaps and bounds

Murrelektronik Ltd

5 Albion Street, Pendlebury Industrial Estate
Swinton
Manchester
M27 4FG
UNITED KINGDOM

+44 (0)161 728 3133

sales@murrelektronik.co.uk

www.murrelektronik.co.uk

More news
15 hours ago
Schaeffler destroys ten tonnes of counterfeit rolling bearings
Schaeffler takes regular and consistent action against counterfeit products, and now it has had around 30,000 counterfeits with a total weight of ten tonnes destroyed in Schweinfurt.
17 hours ago
Klüber Lubrication awarded with gold medal for sustainability again in 2023
Klüber Lubrication was awarded the ‘gold medal’ by EcoVadis, a leading company for sustainability ratings, for the second time after 2022. This makes the lubricant manufacturer one of the best four percent of more than 100,000 companies rated worldwide.
19 hours ago
Festo highlights the benefits of standardised hardware
Festo says its standardised hardware and the ability to work with the industry leading control architectures makes its stepper and servo drives, remote I/O and valve terminals a natural choice for machine manufacturers and end-users.
3 days ago
NSK spindle bearings boost reliability at automotive plant
A large manufacturer of automotive engines has significantly improved the reliability of its CNC machining centres by adopting NSK sealed spindle bearings that prevent the ingress of cutting fluid.
3 days ago
Automotive manufacturers are rethinking ‘just in time’ approach
Supply chain disruption and rising material costs are causing the global automotive industry to re-evaluate lean manufacturing principles, reveals a new survey commissioned by ABB Robotics.
4 days ago
Spring budget presents mixed bag for UK industry
The Chancellor’s spring budget presents a mixed bag for UK industry, says Mark Yeeles, VP for industrial automation at Schneider Electric in the UK and Ireland, commenting: “While the full expensing measures are a good step towards encouraging the investment that is vital for our sector to become more efficient and productive, the imminent end to energy cost support presents an existential threat to many businesses in our sector.”
1 week ago
William G Search wins Atlas Copco Compressors’ Distributor of the Year Award
Honouring William G Search with the Distributor of the Year Award, Ariel Rubinstein, general manager at Atlas Copco Compressors, said: “At Atlas Copco, we want to recognise and celebrate partners who contribute towards our overall growth.
1 week ago
CMZ and NSK celebrate over 25 years of technology collaboration
World-renowned Spanish lathe manufacturer CMZ is lauding more than 25 years of high-level technological collaboration with linear motion and bearing specialist NSK. The company’s machines incorporate NSK innovations that include ground ball screws, linear guides and super-precision bearings.
1 week ago
Ensuring regulatory compliance for razor blade assembly machine
When consulting services company Laicon identified the need to appoint a European Authorised Representative (EUAR) in compliance with EU Regulation 2019/1020 for a razor blade assembly machine project, it turned to Hold Tech Files.
1 week ago
Delta Electronics recognised as Top 100 Global Innovator 2023 by Clarivate
Delta has been honoured for the second consecutive year as one of the Top 100 Global Innovators (2023) by Clarivate for its superior innovation and patent intellectual property portfolio.

Login / Sign up