Data networks know no boundaries. In worlds that are sunny, wet, snowy, dirty, oily, windy, and germ-free, cables and connectivity are necessary. R&M is using innovative solutions to address these challenges. They enable companies improve digitalization and connect machines under the most adverse situations.
The industrial solutions from R&M integrate the path from the outdoor connector via local data networks and WiFi to the data center and Internet access. The Industrial section of R&M has developed solutions for factories and company campuses, wind and solar parks, ships and hospitals. Solutions for additional markets such as mining, utilities, agriculture, military, ports and transport will follow.
They are based on decades of global experience in industry and outdoor cabling as well as on new technologies for copper and fiber optic connectivity.
The «hyper-connected» factory
A new era of digital transformation is beginning in industry. «Industry 4.0» with the linking of production and data networks based on Ethernet/IP communication has already established itself. At present, 71 % of the newly installed network nodes in factories are based on Industrial Ethernet systems (source: HMS Networks, 2024).
Now, artificial intelligence, self-learning machines and robots, augmented reality, connected workers and digital twins are finding their way into factories. «Industry 4.0» is evolving into disruptive, «smart manufacturing».
However, the new data-driven applications require massive computing power directly on site and more transmission resources than ever before in order to be able to process large amounts of data immediately.
This is why edge and micro data centers, AI clusters, and more cables and connectivity are being added. Added to this is 5G which will enable data and control commands to be transferred wirelessly in real time across the whole network. Nevertheless, 5G can only be used with network cabling to the antennas and high-performance connectivity.
The infrastructure design for the «hyper-connected» factory is challenging. First, it’s about the business case, automation, productivity, and faster and smarter operations. Companies expect the new wave of digitalization to help to success in the short term.
Integration across the board
R&M believes that holistic, integrative approaches are the best way to reach the new reality. Ethernet/IP data networks will continue to form the cost-efficient and coherent underlying architecture in the future. The structure and communication protocol are non-application-specific and globally flexible.
They can be effortlessly enlarged, scaled, segmented, intended to be redundant and reconfigured spontaneously for the next production order.
Their simplicity is based on their strictly structured architecture. This is precisely why network planning requires a holistic approach. It starts with the basic LAN architecture and extends the perspective from the field level to the cloud. Thorough planning foresees the pertinent and likely digitalization scenarios.
The number of connected devices and data traffic in the production environment is increasing dynamically. The data network therefore requires multi-gigabit performance. For this reason, companies should use solutions of at least Cat.
6A for copper cabling. These provide a transmission rate of up to 10 Gigabit/s within a 100-meter radius. Category 8.1 solutions are suited for short distances and transmission of up to 40 Gigabit/s. FO infrastructures should be preferred for wide distances between internal data centers, control rooms, office and Internet, for backbones, convergence and hybrid solutions.
Real-time communication is common among machines. Latency and attenuation are therefore becoming more crucial.
In order to guarantee steady high bandwidths and reduce delay and attenuation, the technology and caliber of the cables and connectors are crucial. In industry, only extremely durable components are utilized.
Technologies for the future
R&M relies on IDC technology and a selected industry-standard plastics. The latter guarantees a permanently dust-, gas-, and water-tight, corrosion-free and vibration-proof contact with the copper wires.
With a few easy procedures, IDC wire may be installed on site without any problems. The only company that uses IDC wiring in factory-assembled RJ45 patch cords is R&M. This provides consistently great transmission quality.
Power over Ethernet (PoE), the power supply of terminal equipment via data lines, is gaining in importance in production. The technology eliminates the need for parallel electrical wiring. This supports the goal of cost efficiency. However, PoE requires a special quality of wiring for the wires and contact springs in order to prevent resistance and spark erosion.
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is a relatively new technology. R&M has driven forward the standardization of SPE in important phases together with other well-known manufacturers. SPE is a solution for extended digitalization beyond the old distances of LAN cabling.
With SPE cabling, Ethernet/IP communication can be extended to up to 1,000 meters. This means that sensors, controllers, cameras, antennas and other terminal equipment of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can be integrated into the LAN in the field and in open terrain via plug & play.
R&M also offers solutions for reinforced shielding of network cables and connectors from electromagnetic fields, which are increasingly common in production plants. One example of this is the die-cast zinc housing of the field-mountable FM45 connector.
Overall concepts for industry
In this way, industrial solutions from R&M bundles the approach of integrated infrastructure solutions, advanced products and new technologies into overall concepts for the industry. R&M supports industries worldwide with consulting, engineering, customizing, assembly, ready-to-install delivery and cabling quality assurance.
The goal is for companies to be able to successfully exploit the increasing digitalization in production and the entry into AI applications.
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