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Industrial Robots for Advanced Automation

Modern manufacturers strive to streamline operation of production lines and minimize costly downtime. Industrial-grade connectivity solutions from Molex adhere to the highest quality standards, boosting performance while protecting human operators and ensuring the functional safety of robot systems.

Connecting the Working Robot


In industrial robotics, doing more in the same space, keeping downtime to a minimum and ensuring the safety of human operators is paramount. Engineers look for ways to raise product quality and performance, address safety and communication protocols and optimize design footprints in space-constrained assembly lines.

The path to these improvements often intersects with the trends in connectivity solutions. Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) technology, for instance, can double the data transfer rate in industrial settings while supplying consistent power quality. Other developments have resulted in ultra-rugged connectors for compact assemblies and sensors, protected against factory hazards while also miniaturized through advanced engineering and precision machining. 

Molex is an industry leader in industrial connectivity and communication solutions. Our broad product line of industrial robot connectors enables smart manufacturing with the long-term reliability that ensures safety, space-saving designs that foster production-line flexibility and “plug and play” options that reduce downtime.

Industrial Robotics

Robot Arm Cables and Connectors


To create flexible manufacturing environments, system planners employ adaptable robot arms that can meet changing needs in space utilization and assembly line tasks. Molex industrial-grade connectors feature optimized performance and miniaturized form factors, offering various circuit sizes, plating options, mounting choices, and mating heights to meet dynamic requirements. Shielded cables are available in a range of configurations, all designed to withstand harsh conditions and accommodate constant movement and bending to enable use with robotic arms.

Power & Signal

  Configuration Circuits Voltage (max.) Current per Contact (max.)
GWConnect Heavy-Duty Connectors   2 to 216 830V 100.0A
CRC Connectors I/O Connectors 4 to 50 250V AC (RMS)/DC 1.0 to 15.0A

Industrial Data Connectivity

  Coding Poles IP Rating Field Attachables Shielded Cable Material and Length
Micro-Change M12 Connectors X-Code, D-Code 4, 8 IP67/IP68 Yes Shielded or unshielded PUR, PVC, weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 100m
Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) Connectors and Cable Assemblies T1   IP20, IP65/IP67 Yes Shielded PUR and TPE up to 40m

Flexible Printed Circuits

Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) are an essential component in industrial robotics. Their ability to provide reliable connectivity in compact, dynamic environments—coupled with their flexibility and ability to withstand repetitive motion—make them an ideal connector for robotic arms and joints.

User Interface Solutions

While industrial robotics excel at performing assembly line tasks, human interaction is required for programming, monitoring and control. These functions often require the use of a Human-Machine Interface (HMI), creating the need for User Interface Solutions such as touchscreens, control panels or custom keypads to ensure easy operation and precise results.

Internal Data Connectivity

  Pitch Circuits Current (Max per Contact) Wire Gauge Operating Temperature
SL Connectors 2.54mm 2 to 25 3.0A 2 to 50 AWG -40 to 105°C
Squba Connectors 1.80, 3.60mm 2 to 10 14.0A 16 to 24 AWG -40 to 105°C

High Power

  Pin Size Circuits Current (Max per Contact) Voltage Operating Temperature
Sentrality Pin and Socket Connectors 3.40, 6.00, 8.00, 11.00mm Single 350.0A 600V -40 to 125°C
SW1 Connectors 6.00, 8.00, 11.00mm Single 300.0A 1,000V -40 to 125°C

Industrial Cables

End-of-Arm Robotics Cable
  Insulation / Jacket Material Torsion Data Speeds /
Data Transmission
Network
Protocols
Voltage (Max) Certification
Cables for Industrial Automation TPE or halogen‑free PUR Cycles 5 Mill
Range up to 270°/m
Up to 10 Gbps /
Up to 600 MHz
EtherCAT,
EtherNet/IP,
PROFINET,
SPE
1,000V UL/CSA,
UKCA,
CE,
RoHS

Servo Motors and Drive Connectors


Servo motors and drives for factory floor robotics demand robust, high-resistance components capable of enduring vibration and harsh conditions, including temperature extremes, dust and moisture. Molex industrial solutions offer rugged, compact connector systems with Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) locks to mitigate the risk of terminal backout and disconnection in high-vibration environments. Our IP-rated sealed connectors prevent dust and moisture from interfering with connection points.

Power, Brake & Encoder I/O

  Circuits Voltage IP Rating Current (Max per Contact) Field Attachables Shielded
GW Connect Heavy-Duty Connectors 2 to 216 250V 10.0A/16.0A,
230/400V 16.0A,
500V 16.0A,
830V 35/80.0A,
460/690 + 250V 4x40.0A + 2x10.0A
  100.0A x Shielded
M23 Connectors 6 to 19   IP67 28.0A x Shielded
Brad Power 3 to 4 600V rated IP67, IP68, IP69k 32.0A x Shielded or unshielded

 

Encoder Internal Connections

  Pitch Circuits Current (Max per Contact) Wire Gauge Voltage (Max) Operating Temperature
Zero-Hachi Connectors 0.80mm 2 to 20 1.5A (2 to 6 circuits),
1.0A (7 to 20 circuits)
28 to 32 AWG 30V -40 to +105°C
FFC / FPC Connectors 0.20 to 2.00mm 2 to 120 0.5A   50V Up to +150°C
Mini-Lock Connectors 2.50mm 2 to 15 3.5A 20 to 26 AWG 250V Up to 120°C

Servo Drives Internal Connection

  Pitch Circuits Current (Max per Contact) Wire Gauge Voltage (Max) Operating Temperature
SlimStack Connectors 0.35 to 1.25mm 6 to 240 15.0A   100V Up to 125°C
KK Connectors 2.50, 3.00, 3.96mm 1 to 16 6.5, 11.0A 18 to 28 AWG 350V -40 to 105°C
Micro-Fit Connectors 3.00mm 2 to 24 10.5A 18 to 30 AWG 600V Up to 105°C
Mini-Fit Connectors 4.20mm 4 to 18 20.5A 14 to 28 AWG 600V Up to 105°C

Peripheral & Network I/O

  Configuration Circuits Current Data Speed Voltage (Max) Operating Temperature
USB Connectors   Up to 24 3.0, 5.0, 6.0A Up to 40 Gbps 48V -30 to +85°C
-40 to +85°C
Magnetic and Modular Jacks and Plugs   4, 6, 8   10 to 1,000 Mbps    
2.00mm I/O Connectors Wire-to-board
Wire-to-wire
 6, 8, 10 0.5 to 2.0A   40V (6 circuit)
125V (8, 10 circuit)
-25 to +85°C (6 circuit)
-40 to +85°C (8, 10 circuit)

End-of-Arm Connectivity and Communication Solutions


The factory robot needs exceptionally flexible hardware to minimize downtime during upgrades, maintenance and configuration changes. I/O modules for end-of-arm applications provide this agility while delivering superior performance and reliability in diverse working conditions. The Molex Industrial Automation product line features quick connect and rapid startup capabilities, enabling fast swapping of multiple end-arm tools with protocol connections within 250 to 750 milliseconds.

Industrial I/O Modules

  Input Voltage Current Power Consumption (Max) Data Speeds Network Protocols IP Rating
Industrial I/O Modules 24V DC, -15/+20% 1.0A (4 sourcing outputs)
2.0A (2 bipolar outputs)
240W 100 Mbps CANopen,
CIP Safety,
EtherNet/IP,
PROFINET,
IP67

Power & Signal Connectivity

  Poles (Circuits) Voltage Current (Max per Contact) Field Attachables Shielded Cable Material & Length
DIN Valve Connectors 2, 3 24V DC / 230V AC 16.0A x Unshielded PUR, PVC,
weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 10m
Nano-Change M8 3, 4, 5 60V AC / 75V DC up to 4.0A 4.0A x Shielded or unshielded PUR, PVC,
weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 100m
GWConnect Heavy-Duty Connectors 2 to 216 250V 10.0A/16.0A,
230/400V 16.0A,
500V 16.0A,
830V 35/80.0A,
460/690 + 250V 4x40.0A + 2x10.0A
100.0A x Shielded or unshielded  
Mini-Change Connectors 2 to 12, 14, 19 Up to 600V AC 10.0A x Shielded or unshielded PUR, PVC,
weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 100m
Brad M12 Power L-Code Connector System 4, 5 63V AC/DC 16.0A x Shielded or unshielded PUR, PVC,
weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 20m

 

Industrial Data Connectivity

  Coding Poles IP Rating Current (Max per Contact) Field Attachables Shielded Cable Material & Length
Micro-Change M12 Connectors X‑Code,
D‑Code
4, 8 IP67, IP68   x Shielded or unshielded PUR, PVC,
weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 100m
Brad M12 Ultra-Lock 2.0 A‑Code,
D‑Code
3, 4, 5, 8, 12 IP69k (22 AWG shielded cable),
IP67 (all other cables)
4.0A x Shielded or unshielded PUR, PVC,
weld-slag oil-resistant (WSOR) TPE up to 100m
Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) Connectors and Cable Assemblies T1   IP20, IP65, IP67   x Shielded PUR and TPE
up to 40m