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Igus joins the PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation as a cable specialist

PROFINET is the world's leading Ethernet-based communication protocol for industrial automa-tion transferring large volumes of data quickly and safely in real time. To advance the research of this technology in moving applications, igus has now joined the PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. (PNO) as a cable specialist.

According to the latest research from analyst IHS Markit | Technology, now a part of Informa Tech, analysing industrial communications PROFINET, the industrial Ethernet communication system of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI), is widely adopted in industry. In terms of newly connected nodes, PROFINET represented a market share of nearly 30% in 2018.

“With the increasing importance of PROFINET in moving applications, we have now joined the PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. as a cable specialist,” says Justin Leonard, the-chain director, igus. “We want to further advance the development of the technology and ensure our chainflex PROFINET cables always meet the current electrical requirements.”

PROFINET offers clear advantages for industry: a large amount of data can be transferred at up to 100Mbit/s based on the Ethernet protocol. However, this also means that machines and cables must move increasingly more dynamically in a compact installation space: a challenge for standard cables. igus has been developing cables for use in energy chains and on robots for over 25 years. For PROFINET alone, the company offers nine types of cable for different application scenarios.

Areas of application

PROFINET is mainly used in the manufacturing industry, however, it can also used in infrastructure construction and in the building industry, as integration via the wireless Local Area Network is possible.

For machines and systems that have a fixed laying, cables with a solid conductor or a flexible conductor consisting of 7 strands can be selected. However, for applications in energy chains, cables with fine stranded wires are necessary. Chainflex PROFINET cables have a structure tailored to the movement in the energy chain, and are used in equipment and machines such as robots, packaging machines, production machines and machine tools.

Transmission lengths

The maximum transmission length of bus cables is often underestimated. In general, caution should be exercised, as the maximum cable length can vary depending on the type of cable. A cable for fixed installation always has a lower level of damping than a flexible cable, which is designed for constant motion. As a result, the transmission length of a flexible cable is shorter.

Depending on the cable range, chainflex network cables are mechanically designed for travel distances of up to 400m or more, but the data rate of the bus system decreases with increasing cable lengths. For fixed installation, copper cables can reach up to 100m however, for highly flexible PROFINET cables our experience shows that a cable length of up to 50m between two PROFINET devices is possible. Despite this, the length may vary depending on the environmental conditions and application requirements.

Guaranteed to last

chainflex PROFINET cables are available in four jacket materials, four bend radii and two torsion angles. The igus product range offers solutions for small installation spaces, maximum speeds and three-dimensional movements with up to ±360 degrees/m on a robotic arm or in free movements. The cables have a number of approvals, such as UL, NFPA, EAC and CTP, and are available in desired lengths directly from stock.

All cables also undergo an extensive series of tests in the company's test laboratory. There, for example, the PROFINET cable CFBUS.LB.060 completed over 65 million strokes with a bend radius of 63mm. Thanks to the numerous laboratory results, the chainflex cables have a 36 month functional guarantee, which is unique in the world. Upon request, they are also available fully harnessed as readycable.

For more information on PROFINET technology and chainflex PROFINET cables, please visit: www.igus.co.uk/info/unharnessed-cables-PROFINET

Igus (UK) Ltd