Reduce time and costs: Module Connect in automated furniture production

• What was needed: Failure protection of the automated production line; quick replacement in case of maintenance or malfunction
• Requirements: Savings by optimizing cable lengths for dynamic movement and fixed installation; central interface
• Products: readychain® with Module Connect, ready for connection with e-chain® series 14240, chainflex® CF21.UL, CF5, CAPU.A, CF211, CFPE
• Industry: Furniture manufacturing; e-commerce
• Success for the customer: simple and fast commissioning thanks to centralized interface. Minimization of downtime in the event of servicing: readychain® system can be replaced in two hours.

The application:
This is a fully automated production facility for customized furniture with networked production lines. Customers can configure customized furniture online and order it directly. The high level of automation reduces the production and delivery time to a minimum while fulfilling customers' individual wishes.

As part of process-driven optimizations, the range of existing readychain® solutions was expanded to include the central interface, Module Connect. This addition has significantly simplified commissioning, service, and inspection tasks.

Thanks to its flexible, modular design, the available installation space was used efficiently. On each side of the system, four housings with four cable inlets a piece were installed, along with various contact carriers. This allowed for the industrial-grade connection of numerous cables. From Harting’s modular range of insulating bodies, which includes over 100 variants, the following components were installed:

• Pneumatics
• Power supply with current load range up to 70 A
• Power supply with current load range up to 16 A
• Protective conductor
• Sub-D connectors

The interface solution was developed in close cooperation with the customer and the conversion was planned on site.

Coordinated components, such as the energy chain, the chainflex® cables, the Module Connect interface and processing by specialized employees, guarantee perfect interaction and a comprehensive solution package for the customer.

The pin side of the Module Connect interface was pre-assembled and tested by igus® at the factory before being delivered to the customer. The socket side was integrated directly into the existing system on site by experienced igus® technicians. This service helped make the most of the limited time available during installation and reduced potential sources of error, with igus® providing a complete solution from a single source.

The plug-and-play solution with Module Connect provides added value, combining and simplifying many individual connection points into one central connection point. Because this is a complete assembly, it enables the customer to install and replace the entire cable carrier system without the need for specialized electrical engineering personnel.