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igus joins the PROFIBUS

Nutzerorganisation e.V. as a cable

specialist

ROFINET is the world's leading
Ethernet-based communication
protocol for industrial automa-
Ption 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 usee 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 equipment and machines such as robots, versions. The igus product range offers solutions for
PROFINET cables always meet the current packaging machines, production machines and small installation spaces, maximum speeds and
electrical requirements.” machine tools. three-dimensional movements with up to ±360
PROFINET offers clear advantages for industry: degrees/m on a robotic arm or in free movements.
a large amount of data can be transferred at up to Transmission lengths The cables have a number of approvals, such as
100Mbit/s based on the Ethernet protocol. The maximum transmission length of bus cables is UL, NFPA, EAC and CTP, and are available in
However, this also means that machines and often underestimated. In general, caution should be desired lengths directly from stock.
cables must move increasingly more dynamically in exercised, as the maximum cable length can vary All cables also undergo an extensive series of
a small installation spaces: a challenge for depending on the type of cable. A cable for fixed tests in the company's test laboratory. There, for
standard cables. igus has been developing cables installation always has a lower level of damping example, the PROFINET cable CFBUS.LB.060
for use in energy chains and on robots for over 25 than a flexible cable, which is designed for constant completed over 65 million strokes with a bend
years. For PROFINET alone, the company offers motion. As a result, the transmission length of a radius of 63mm. Thanks to the numerous
nine types of cable for different application flexible cable is shorter. laboratory results, the chainflex cables have a 36
scenarios. Depending on the cable series, chainflex month functional guarantee, which is unique in the
network cables are mechanically designed for travel world. Upon request, they are also available fully
Areas of application distances of up to 400m or more, but the data rate harnessed as readycable.
PROFINET is mainly used in the manufacturing of the bus system decreases with increasing cable For more information on PROFINET technology
industry, however, it can also used in infrastructure lengths. For fixed installation, copper cables can and chainflex PROFINET cables, please visit:
construction and in the building industry, as reach up to 100m however, for highly flexible www.igus.co.uk/info/unharnessed-cables-PROFINET
integration via the wireless Local Area Network is PROFINET cables our experience shows that a
possible. cable length of up to 50m between two PROFINET
For machines and systems that have fixed devices is possible. Despite this, the length may igus UK Ltd
routing, cables with a solid conductor or a flexible vary depending on the environmental conditions Caswell Road, Brackmills
conductor consisting of 7 strands can be used. and application requirements. Northampton NN4 7PW
However, for applications in energy chains, cables Tel +44 (0)1604 677240
with fine stranded wires are necessary. Chainflex Guaranteed to last sales@igus.co.uk
PROFINET cables have a structure tailored to the chainflex PROFINET cables are available in four www.igus.co.uk
movement in the energy chain, and are used in jacket materials, four bend radii and two torsion

18 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • May/June 2020