Leading manufacturers are already using the new M8 12-pin circular connectors in length-measurement systems and laboratory automation. | Source: binder USA
As robotics become more common in warehouses and manufacturing facilities, modern machines are becoming smaller and more powerful. To design devices like this effectively, all components, down to each connector, must take up as little space as possible. binder USA LP last week launched the M8 12-pin circular connector.
Several factors are driving the industry’s demand for compact connectors, according to binder. These include the need to save space, higher packing density, flexibility, user-friendliness, and ergonomics.
binder claimed that its circular connector complements its existing M8 series and sets new standards for industrial sensor technology, measurement, control, camera technology, and robotics applications. The Camarillo, Calif.-based company said the new product offers significant advantages, particularly in terms of miniaturization, flexibility, and performance.
“The future of automation lies, among other things, in miniaturization, for which we are already very well positioned with our portfolio of smaller sizes such as M5 and M8,” stated Guido Werner, product manager at binder. “One of the advantages of M8 is that it requires 20% less space for adjacent connectors compared to the next larger series.”
M8 packs connectors in response to customer demand
Despite the high number of contacts, the M8 12-pin circular connector remains compact, making it suitable for applications with limited space, binder said. The connector’s high contact density allows for versatile use in a wide range of industrial environments, it asserted.
In addition, the new edition of the design specification for M8 circular connectors with screw or snap-in locking DIN EN 61076-2-104 includes the C-coding.
“This lays the foundation for continuous plug compatibility in the connector market,” said Werner. “New possibilities in signal transmission arise for M8.”
Specific customer requirements pushed Binder to develop the M8 12-pin circular connector, the company said. One of its major customers demanded a new generation of length-measurement systems that could transmit more than eight signals without increasing the compact size of the M8 circular connector.
“The development of the M8 12-pin connector posed several technical challenges for our design and development team,” said Werner. “One of the biggest tasks was to fit 12 pins on the compact M8 connector face. This was achieved through a symmetrical arrangement of the contacts and the introduction of five small coding steps.”
“This solution enables secure polarization and protects the sensitive contacts from damage. In production, manual pre-assembly requires a delicate touch,” he added. “Ultimately, we successfully mastered all challenges through trained personnel and the use of color templates for precise placement of the wires.”
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binder USA supports factory automation
binder USA is a unit of binder Group, a global manufacturer of circular connectors, custom cord sets, and LED lights. The company said its products are used around the world in industrial environments for factory automation, process control, and medical technology applications.
In April, binder began offering connectors from its M12 series as surface-mount devices, or SMDs. It claimed that its SMDs can enable streamlined and automated processes.
The company noted SMDs are useful for further processing in fully automated processes, such as in the dense, double-sided assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBs).
In June, binder announced new features for its M12 panel-mount connectors, including assembled wires, advanced sealing, new safety features, and sustainable materials. It also offered a panel-mount part for installation in confined spaces such as for medical devices or robotics.
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