In industrial automation applications, ensuring high-speed and stable information transfer by providing stable connectivity between all infrastructures and all devices on the production line is critical for the industrial production process. This article will show you the changing requirements for industrial automation and the characteristics of the FSB5 board-to-board connector introduced by Molex.
Connectivity is crucial for the success of the industrial internet of things
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is driving changes in the industrial world, creating a machine-to-machine communication network. IIoT allows each machine to collect data about its own operation and state, then share it with the entire network. The collection and sharing of data allow smart factory to flexibly adjust performance or production processes to meet demand, giving plants a high degree of flexibility and responsiveness, and also provides early warning of maintenance and shortage issues, thus enabling early detection of potential issues and facilitating actions to minimize production disruptions.
In addition to the production control side affected by IIoT, the machines on the device side are also constantly evolving. The number of robots used in the plant workshops continues to grow. For robots and other high-data applications, edge computing enables data storage and processing to be closer to the place of data collection, and the reduction of distance between data sources and data processing points allows users to minimize the delay caused by long-distance data transmission. This is critical for applications that need real-time operations and allows users to decrease the centralized or cloud server cost.
This requires the adoption of IIoT technology to enhance automation capabilities in complex and demanding plant workshops, industrial infrastructures and interconnected systems on production lines, involving environmental control, security and safety, and automation of advanced manufacturing processes. Infrastructures and production equipment will require a large number of internal electronic systems characterized by greater complexity, interconnection, and modularity. For these systems, multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flexible components will be used to construct sensors, cameras, and multiple active module circuits. The need for connectors to transfer information between these components requires better signal integrity (SI) to securely connect high-speed signal circuits in narrow spaces. The connectivity demands in the system are increasing, requiring that these requirements be met without increasing the volume of the product.
High-performance thin connectors meet the needs of industrial automation
Industry 4.0 and IIoT trends are pushing industrial applications toward digital and automated development. It is required that the design of digital infrastructures must support the scalability of intelligent, interconnected systems and simplify the integration of multiple functions. For example, industrial automation systems such as data processing, sensor adjustment, and equipment operation control can reduce energy consumption and costs. In contrast, the addition of inspection and scanning equipment to the production lines will optimize production costs and efficiency.
Innovations in the IIoT are driving a new wave of product functions. These industrial control and production line systems require automation capable of coordinating different information (audio/video, camera and robotic systems), greatly enhancing the capabilities to regulate in these application scenarios. This, in turn, increases the need for high-performance connectors, requiring an increased density of internal printed circuit boards and flexible components in the application space of the same size. The trend will drive modularization of circuits, while complex circuits require semiconductors, memory, capacitors and resistors to be set up on multiple boards, requiring more thin connectors.
Miniature connectors suitable for compact space
Under the development trend of IIoT, the increasing number of functions provided by industrial automation systems and the growing power demand must provide more high-power sources for the equipment with rich functions in the same space, requiring low- and medium-power connectors. In addition, low-voltage motors, lighting, and power supplies will require low-power connectors for connection in an increasing number of applications. This need to save space due to the increase in circuit density will drive a change in the power supply mode of the wire-to-board connector or the soft cable board-to-board connector.
For another, the need for automation also requires fast connectivity to provide real-time information. Sensors and cameras running at higher processing speeds and the necessity to interpret more information and analyze data drive the demand for connectors with superior signal integrity. The need for high-performance, durable connectors should be considered early in the development process. For example, higher-resolution displays require higher anti-electromagnetic interference performance and signal integrity. The evolution of antenna bands to transmit and receive information at higher speeds puts forward a request for more active and passive components.
In addition, crowded plant workshops with space constraints and devices that pursue compact design require more flexibility in the shape of connectors. The increase of modular circuits limits the available space of connectors and other components, so it is necessary to solve this issue through miniature connectors with more diverse shapes, appearances and insertion directions. The use of miniature connectors with various shapes and insertion directions helps flexibly respond to the challenges in space, location and installation entry of the connectors.
Connectors to meet the needs of industrial automation integration design
Molex is a world-renowned connector designer and manufacturer with extensive experience in the development of connectors with good grip and mechanical properties. The excellent performance of these connectors in compact environments with limited space helps achieve the design goals of industrial automation.
SlimStack FSB5 floating contact board-to-board connector with 0.4mm of terminal pitch launched by Molex is the preferred connector for industrial automation applications. With a floating range of ±0.5mm in X, Y, and Z directions, the connector facilitates the assembly in misalignment or blind joining and is easy for inserting in strong shock and vibration environments. The connector, with excellent performance and operating at temperatures from -40°C to 125°C, has excellent design suitability for supporting high transmission rates up to 6 Gbps, and offers a variety of matching heights.
The SlimStack FSB5 is the smallest of the board-to-board floating connectors on the market, saving space with a width of just 3.8mm and a height of 3.0mm, and providing soft floating force that simplifies assembly and operation. The connector supports a maximum of 40V voltage and 0.3A current per circuit, with a maximum contact resistance of 80mΩ, dielectric withstanding voltage of 250V AC and a minimum insulation resistance of 100MΩ. The low halogen materials used meet the industry's requirements for environmental protection.
In addition to automation machines, transformers and testing equipment in industrial automation, SlimStack FSB5 can also be applied to car cameras, car radar, car LiDAR, car infotainment system, electric vehicle inverter, electric vehicle ADAS, as well as UAVs (drones), game consoles, mini digital cameras, security cameras and other products in consumer applications.
Conclusion
IIoT drives the development of industrial automation, and the smart factory and related equipment market will maintain rapid and continuous growth in the future. To take advantage of the technology, the SlimStack FSB5 board-to-board connector from Molex allows you to keep up with this new industrial revolution and quickly grasp market opportunities.