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The Smart Future of Industrial Robotics

Industrial robotics lies at the heart of Industry 4.0, reinventing manufacturing with unmatched precision, efficiency and resource optimization. These advanced systems are streamlining production, minimizing assembly errors, improving overall product quality and creating safer workplaces. At Molex, we see these industrial process transformations as opportunities for engineering innovation and new human-machine collaboration, driving a future of high growth and productivity.

Designing the Smart Factory


Robots are in high demand in manufacturing across a variety of industries. Robotic applications grant automation engineers new degrees of freedom to expand and adjust production lines. They also offer improved levels of factory safety by taking the most hazardous tasks away from workers, significantly reducing the risk of accidents. In addition, upgrades in automation often lead to enhancements in the quality, consistency and speed of production output.

Achieving these enhancements requires industrial-grade robots that fit into tight, compact spaces, have robust, uncompromising worker safety protocols, and optimize performance with easy-to-maintain, long-lasting infrastructure.

Molex has spent decades refining the design and precision manufacturing processes of compact assemblies, connectors, sensors and cables used across industries, including automated manufacturing. With the convergence of ruggedness and miniaturization, Molex solutions, engineered and tested for both longevity and ease of use, address the complex requirements of advanced, highly compact robots in harsh environments while helping to ensure compliance with the latest functional safety standards. These solutions help robotics companies build reliable, error-proof automation that makes the future prospect of “lights-off” factories possible.


Industrial Robotics Applications

Industrial Robot

From end-of-arm tools to servos and drives, Molex provides rugged and miniaturized connectivity solutions employed throughout factory robot designs. See how our industrial product portfolio is advancing performance while ensuring safety.

Industrial Robot Control Units

From data security to worker safety and low-latency response, Molex provides high-speed, durable solutions for industrial robot control units. See how our industrial product portfolio goes beyond connectors to help ensure factory floor security, performance and safety.

Industrial Robot Vision Systems

Unlock the potential of industrial robot vision systems designed for smart warehousing and manufacturing. Learn about innovative connectivity and data transfer solutions that deliver reliable operation even in the toughest industrial settings.

Key Design Considerations in Industrial Robotics


Miniaturization

Robot manufacturers are prioritizing compact robot sizes to address their customers' needs for space efficiency, energy savings and cost reduction. 

Achieving these goals requires smaller connectors that deliver high data transmission speeds while ensuring high quality power transfer. As a pioneer in Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) technology, Molex boasts a skilled team of engineers dedicated to enhancing robotic capabilities and intelligence through the integration of miniaturized connectors, wiring, sensors and other technologies, helping to make robots more compact than ever before.

Downtime Reduction

Smart factory systems designers are constantly on the lookout for ways to prevent downtime and drive flexibility in production line configurations.

With easy-to-install options that provide precise and secure connections, industrial-grade interconnect solutions from Molex help keep downtime to a minimum.

Functional Safety

Manufacturing companies are striving to accelerate time-to-market and meet customer expectations while adhering to stringent safety requirements and regulations. To achieve this, production lines are incorporating more robots to create collaborative environments where humans and robots work side by side.

Molex offers extensive technical expertise in safety protocols, including CIP Safety and PROFIsafe, ensuring the implementation of functional safety across all protocol environments. This guarantees that collaborative operations are not only efficient but also conform to the highest safety standards, facilitating a seamless integration of robotics and human workforce in modern manufacturing.

The Convergence of Information and Operational Technologies

The recent integration of data-centric information technology (IT) systems with existing and new operational technologies (OT) is creating smarter, more efficient production, enabling advanced monitoring systems and enhancing overall productivity. By combining these capabilities, robots can be controlled virtually and remotely for agile management of operational and maintenance tasks.

Molex offers communication solutions that extend beyond connectors, providing comprehensive communication and control capabilities to help achieve Industry 4.0 objectives. 


Industrial Robotics Resources


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Industry 4.0 Trends & Future Technologies

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Collaboration on Flexible Industrial Automation Solutions

In this case study and short video, Italian manufacturer Salvagnini and Molex collaborate on the development of technology innovations, seamless communications and industry-leading operational efficiencies on behalf of a global sheet-metal machine manufacturer.

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Industrial Automation Solutions & Technology

Smart factory innovations are facilitating faster times to market, but automation adoption comes with significant challenges, particularly in harsh industrial environments. These settings demand enhanced functional safety and robust information security. Discover comprehensive connectivity solutions that deliver high performance and reliability, even in the most demanding conditions.

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Big Data Doesn’t Always Mean Bigger Factories

Expanding manufacturing isn't necessarily about physical factory size. Dive into the nuances of leveraging big data analytics to enhance operational efficiency, optimize resource utilization and drive innovation without the need for larger production facilities. 

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IoT Connected Control Systems: Making the Smart Factory Safe

Discover how IoT-connected control systems are revolutionizing safety in smart factories. Dive into the data-driven technologies that are transforming traditional manufacturing environments into modern smart factories.

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