Connectivity trends according to HARTING: Benefits of miniaturization

Miniaturization allows more in less space.

In this five-part article, HARTING Canada explores the five main trends in industrial connectivity today. This third part deals with miniaturization and how it allows more in less space. Read Part 1 and Part 2.

Miniaturization at the connector level

The modern world is driven by data. Everyone carries the Internet in their pocket, connected, even wirelessly, to data. Many devices are connected and communicate with other devices or the Internet. In the connectivity industry, data are being used to connect machines to produce data that can be used to create powerful insights that will drive smarter, faster, and better business decisions. In general, the trend is to do more, in the same or smaller footprint. For example, cell phones have more functionality, but are getting slimmer. This is only possible because of smart design and components that can do more with less space.

In industrial connectivity, miniaturization can mean many things

• Smaller versions of standard connectors are available because the standard footprint is no longer ideal.
• Connectors that allow the combination of multiple connection types into one connector.
• Component shapes that efficiently utilize panel or device space.
• Features that are more integrated, such as internal locking mechanisms that make connectors more space-efficient.

Examples of HARTING products that make excellent use of miniaturization include PushPull connectors, the ix industrial Ethernet interface, and Han and Han-Modular industrial connectors. Miniaturization is one of the keys to the future in connectivity.

Coming in Part 4: The benefits of modularization, and how it makes flexibility easy.

About the company

HARTING employs approximately 3,900 people worldwide. With manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia, and the United States, HARTING makes products that serve all levels of the automation pyramid, from device to machine and into the communication infrastructure. The Canadian affiliate is based in Montreal.

For more information, contact HARTING.

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