empowering communication

Robotics

Networked robot applications as a booster for flexibility and quality

Robots are playing an increasingly important role in automated production environments. For example, palletizing and handling tasks can often be performed more cost-effectively and safely using robotic arms rather than multi-axis gantries or human labor. Robots can be flexibly adapted to new applications—a decisive factor for plant operators in times of ever-increasing product variability and shorter time-to-market requirements. The smooth integration of your robots into the automated process requires reliable, error-free communication of sensors, servomotors and cameras. Only through industrial communication solutions is it possible for such complex interaction. When you choose Hilscher, you're getting proven technological know-how and components from the world's leading manufacturer of industrial communication solutions.

Challenges facing robot components
Freedom of movement

As moving components within an automated environment, robots rely on components that give them maximum freedom of movement. Wireless technologies such as IO-Link Wireless from Hilscher give you maximum freedom when designing your robots.

Demanding environments

Whether space-sensitive applications, extended temperature requirements or IP protection classes: With Hilscher, you can integrate any robotic application into your existing network.

Flexibility and variability

Global automation markets require a high degree of flexibility due to different standards from different manufacturers. Keeping protocol conversions as simple as possible is your key to serving new target markets quickly and efficiently. With multi-protocol-capable components as well as standardized interfaces, drivers and tools, we ensure maximum compatibility with other components and devices.

With our comprehensive portfolio of products and services for industrial communication, you can integrate your robotics components into modern fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet networks. Over the last few decades, we have developed a wide range of solutions for a wide range of applications based on our proven netX-SoCs. As one of the leading suppliers of industrial communication technology, we support our customers in a wide range of robotics applications, including:

  • Robotic arms
  • Robot controllers
  • Mobile robots
  • Driverless transport systems
Integrate robots into modern networks with Hilscher solutions

Our range of cifX PC Cards includes all form factors available on the PC market. From conventional form factors such as PCI or PCI Express to the smallest multi-protocol PC cards in the very compact M.2 format, we have the right one for your robotics system. With a wide range of network interfaces, you can keep your development costs to a minimum while maintaining compatibility with a wide range of network standards.

Wireless network interfaces are particularly important for robots, preventing cable breaks while also ensuring maximum mobility and freedom of movement. With our IO-Link Wireless Master you can communicate bidirectionally with up to 16 sensors and actuators and connect them to the real-time capable field level. The associated bridge enables wireless technology for IO-Link devices. Thanks to the automatic parameterization, we enable you to easily replace components such as the attachment of a robot arm. We also offer the Wireless Master as a white-label product that you can rebrand with your own label.

Alternatively, you can easily integrate your robots into modern fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet networks with our compact embedded modules as ready-made hardware modules. They support all leading industrial protocols as master and slave and are therefore ideal for robotic control systems. Our comX module and the netRAPID are perfect when you have moving components that need to be held securely. They are plugged in and screwed or soldered directly onto the motherboard.

Your advantages with our solutions at a glance:
  • Extensive portfolio for every application
  • Multi-protocol solutions
  • Wireless versions
  • Lower development costs
  • Fast time to market
  • Easy integration
  • Support and additional services throughout the entire lifecycle
  • Long-term product availability