Networking
The modern factory, driven by IIoT and big data, has given rise to increased network traffic and subsequent vulnerabilities and risks, both internal and external. Resilient network infrastructure starts with the correct selection of switches, cellular and wireless radios, and security appliances to maximize efficient and resilient communication, enable secure remote access, and prevent network breaches.
Automation and control
The heart of your control cabinet is the logic platform. For OEMs and control engineers alike, it has never been easier to build smaller, smarter machines faster. This also enables builders to free themselves from use of controllers and equipment based solely on prior familiarity or specifications. Industrial PCs/HMIs and scalable controllers can streamline functionality, reduce equipment and costs, and usher in the next generation of intelligent machine automation.
Connectivity
Never take a good connection for granted. Every wire in your control cabinet is there for a reason. The connections of those wires– via spring, screw, IDC, or crimp– are only as reliable as the integrity of the terminations. For nearly a century, Phoenix Contact has been a trusted partner for reliable connections.
Signal switching and conditioning
Every signal has a specific purpose and not all signals are the same. And sometimes along the journey, signals may need to be isolated, amplified, or converted to serve their purpose in the system. Ensuring the signal’s mission is accomplished can be as simple as choosing a universal product, or it might require digging deeper and allowing the application to dictate product selection. Analog signals, digital signals, and motors all require the right product to ensure that the signal gets the job done.
Power reliability
Don’t overlook the basics. Power touches every aspect of a control system, and logic platforms are dependent on proper power and protection. No matter how sophisticated your control system, a “line down” situation is only one power disturbance away.
True power reliability involves protection against surges and overcurrents, conversion of AC to DC while providing redundancy and battery back-up, monitoring faults, and distributing power to the end-devices. Combined, these four elements provide the foundation on which reliable control systems should be built.
Safety
Machine safety means more than OSHA regulations. Proper implementation includes increased productivity, uptime, and profitability. Enact safety measures without limiting the production flexibility of machines or production cells. Adaptable cabinet configurations with integrated safety give you the freedom to add or reorganize machines dynamically.
Shop floor productivity
Time is money. The tools and resources used to build your control cabinet are key to controlling costs. Design software, marking systems, industrial tools, wire management, and cabinet accessories are often overlooked. Careful consideration of these products reduces errors and production time, translating directly to the bottom-line profitability of any shop floor.