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
Learn more about Hilscher products in action
Thermal spray coating machine by Oerlikon.

Oerlikon Metco AG uses netFIELD to enable real-time data collection from industrial applications, such as thermal spray painting machines, from around the world.

netX 90 communication controller mounted on a circuit board.

From motor controllers to the consolidation of entire control cabinet contents, dieEntwickler Elektronik (dEE) implements innovative netX 90 projects and opens up the entire internal periphery of the small multiprotocol controller. Read more about our integration partner here!

An actuator by SCHIEBEL painted in black on white background with a red spring incorporated on the left side.

With the embedded modules netIC52 and netRAPID 90 from Hilscher, SCHIEBEL connects its actuators to industrial communication networks and sets standards with a new control board.

A clean and bright inside of a factory with several machines lined up left and right. On two white rails at the upper half of the picture Güdel is written in red large letters. In the foreground, a sheet of metal lays on a conveyor belt.

Industrial systems specialist Güdel uses netFIELD to implement advanced IIoT solutions, ranging from monitoring specific wear points to a more holistic Industry 4.0 approach.

A pneumatic valve application with many cables and lines going about, disappearing into a cabinet on the bottom. On the far right side, AVENTICS is written on the device. In the background, you can see some green and blue boxes. The valve application is mounted on a sheet of metal.

Emerson, a world leading provider of automation technology and software, has enabled integrated OPC UA in their AVENTICS™ valve systems, simplifying IIoT integration and analysis capabilities with netX 90.

Titleimage Systemtechnik Leber

Based on Hilscher’s netX 90 multiprotocol processor, Systemtechnik LEBER and E-T-A developed an ultra-compact and price-sensitive bus controller for monitoring electronic circuit breakers.

A man with a blue hard hat and safety glasses is working on a orange robot arm.

netANALYZER delivers reliable support for the service specialist Leadec in troubleshooting industrial Ethernet networks.

A packaging machine from MULTIVAC.

MULTIVAC, the leading manufacturer of integrated packaging solutions, develops customer-oriented services with netFIELD, enabling higher machine availability

A female factory worker in pharmaceutical clothing standing beside a large fluid machinery.

netTAP 151 provides a flexible and scalable solution for an easy integration of independent processing systems into one industrial communication network.

A pneumatic test bench with several cables going in and out, placed in a production environment.

müller+krahmer GmbH realizes pneumatic test benches with the capability to change protocols on the fly with the help of Hilscher cifX PC cards.

A grey box with several connectors up front.

The engineering firm kumkeo GmbH is one of the first companies to rely on the netX 90, the world‘s smallest multi-protocol chip from Hilscher, for the development of innovative products.

 

2 panel PCs facing each other, another IPC with netJACK highlighted blue in the foreground.

IPC specialist ADS-TEC Industrial IT uses the netJACK option module as a universal solution to equip its Industrial Box PCs and HMIs with master and slave functionalities on demand, flexibly and without tools.

Front view of a NORD inverter standing upright with connectors on bottom.

Drive manufacturer NORD DRIVESYSTEMS realizes more compact frame sizes and facilitates servicing with netX.

Worker inspecting an electrical Installation at a Leadec plant.

netMIRROR facilitates quick and reliable troubleshooting in RealTime Ethernet networks at factory service specialist Leadec.

cifX PC-Cards integrate Automated Weld Seam Inspection Systems to numerous Real-Time Ethernet and Fieldbus networks at German machine vision specialist VITRONIC.

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
Related links
Two Hilscher employees discussing a contract.

Are you looking for an integration partner for your industrial communication project? From multi-protocol capable netX chips to IIoT applications - our network of partner companies offers you the support you need!

Employee sitting on the back of a couch in Hilscher's office building.

Our solutions enable machines all over the world to communicate autonomously and securely with each other. From communication controllers, PC cards and embedded modules to network analysis and Industry 4.0, we make industrial communication possible. Read our success stories.

Communication controllers and printed circuit boards are extensively tested at Hilscher in Germany.

We make industrial communication possible. From legacy fieldbus to Real-Time Ethernet and the cloud. Our solutions are multi-protocol capable, flexible and reliable. Our solutions are based on our in-depth knowledge of automation technology, which is reflected in our technology.