Increased safety for energy chains

In many industrial plants, unintentional or inadvertent tampering with connectors can lead to downtime or increased maintenance costs. The connection points of energy chains are particularly vulnerable. To better protect these points in the future, Igus is introducing a new RFID solution for its modular connector system, Module Connect.

At a food manufacturer, the packaging line suddenly breaks down. In a panicked situation, the operator tries to find a solution. He disconnects the energy chain connectors, even though he is not technically authorized to do so, causing even greater damage. "Such tampering is a serious and costly problem in many companies, as it causes downtime and time-consuming service calls," says Markus Hüffel, Product Manager for readychain and readycable at Igus. "Many companies therefore want a simple way to better secure sensitive connections. With the RFID lock, we are offering, for the first time, a retrofittable solution that addresses precisely this need." Igus developed the add-on specifically for the Module Connect energy chain connector. The lock clips onto the existing Module Connect interface and can only be opened with an authorized RFID card. Initial feedback from customer discussions has been positive, primarily due to its straightforward integration into existing systems.

Compact, retrofittable, and digitally secured

The RFID lock consists of a flat housing and is installed without tools. A metal bolt reliably locks the connector. An integrated microcomputer verifies the presence of an authorized RFID card. All access attempts can be logged upon request, which is helpful for maintenance, documentation, and quality processes, and ensures greater transparency during operation.

Module Connect: Connect 16 cables with a single click

The modular Module Connect connector system allows multiple cables—from bus and power cables to fiber optics and pneumatic hoses—to be bundled in a single, clearly structured interface. Instead of connecting numerous individual connectors, a single, easily accessible module is created that can be connected with a single movement. This saves companies up to 80 percent of assembly time and significantly reduces potential errors. This time saving is achieved through contact elements that can be attached to the housing without tools, simply by clicking them into place. Multiple housings can be flexibly combined to create a customized interface.

A single plug-in operation connects the entire system, allowing numerous cables – around 16 or more – to be securely connected with just one hand. Incorrect connections and mix-ups are virtually eliminated, significantly reducing documentation requirements. The flat, space-saving housing also enables high contact density and is ideal for compact machine rooms. Different cables are neatly bundled together in a single module instead of using many individual connectors. Each housing can be equipped with up to four electrical, optical, or pneumatic inserts, making the system extremely flexible to configure. Thanks to the completely tool-free assembly, modifications and expansions can be implemented quickly. Power, data, and media lines converge clearly and systematically at a central connection point, making the modular concept ideally suited for both small machines and large systems.