Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors


Weidmüller’s u-mation embraces the digitally connected world

Technews Industry Guide: Industrial Internet of Things & Industry 4.0 Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors

Weidmüller’s u-mation system is more than just automation, it’s a connected digital solution for a diverse range of businesses. That is because u-mation is a hardware and software solution that embraces the IIoT philosophy in an increasingly digitally connected world.

In South Africa, Phambili Interface is the distributor of Weidmüller’s quality connectivity and interface products. The u-mation system is one of the available cutting-edge automation solutions designed to make the leap to the Smart Factory by intelligently networking hardware, software and data.

According to Weidmüller, the digital trans-formation of industrial manufacturing is making great strides. Already, many production processes are no longer just automated, but connected to each other via a digital infrastructure, thus becoming a cyber-physical system.

Digitally savvy solutions

With the rise in complexity of machines and systems, there are increasing demands being placed on modern automation technology. Consequently, branched subsystems need to be precisely integrated into complex topologies. A rapid and reliable transmission of signals and data is critical for smooth operation, however, small and adaptable components that can be integrated in an application-specific manner are needed. Weidmüller’s remote I/O systems for protection degrees IP20 and IP67 offer flexibility in the design and cabling of systems, reliability in the transmission of signals and data, and compact offerings in an array of digitally savvy solutions.

“You need an I/O system that allows you to work quickly and flexibly,” notes Phambili Interface’s Peter Mc Donald, “a system that won’t leave you in the lurch as facilities become increasingly decentralised. The compact u-remote system consisting of IP20 and IP67 components offers maximum benefits and flexible use in automation.”

The overall u-mation system can be adaptable and flexible according to a business’ needs. Components of the system include u-control, u-view and u-remote units, and there is a helpful u-remote news section, where one can discover the latest innovations in Weidmüller’s automation portfolio.

“The u-mation system combines high-end hardware with innovative engineering and visualisation tools for future orientated services,” adds Mc Donald. “It also offers maximum freedom for the individual design of scalable automation solutions and corresponding services.”

The key components of the u-mation system are explained below:

• u-control – platform independent system programming via a browser or conventional Windows-based.

• u-view – visualisation for the monitoring and control of systems.

• u-remote – modular I/O system for lean planning, simple installation and quick commissioning.

In addition to the open and scalable u-control system, u-mation’s complementing u-view and u-remote products cater for businesses of different sizes and diverse operations. For instance, the u-view multi-touch panels that resemble an iPad/tablet come in basic, advanced and IPC/ panel PC lines.

The u-mation system also has an array of safety features, which include:

• u-remote safe power-feed modules.

• Scalability of safety circuits.

• Safe switch-off of standard output modules.

• Profisafe modules for the Profibus-DP and Profinet fieldbuses.

• Fail safe over EtherCAT (FSoE).

In addition to the hardware side, the u-mation system has a software bouquet that includes u-create web, u-create studio and u-create visu that bring the system to life visually on screen.

• u-create web – platform-independent PLC and IoT system-programming.

• u-create studio – all-in-one engineering tool.

• u-create visu – visualisation for monitoring and control of the system.

Phambili Interface exhibited a coordinated IoT u-mation portfolio at the recent Africa Automation Fair. The combination of modular automation hardware, innovative engineering tools, sophisticated digitalisation solutions and intelligent machine learning modes demonstrated the connection of all levels of a process – from the sensors to the cloud.

For more information contact Peter Mc Donald, Phambili Interface, +27 11 452 1930, [email protected], www.weidmuller.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Cables and wires for food and beverage
LAPP Southern Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
The strict hygiene regulations for handling foodstuffs stipulate particularly complex requirements for electrical components. The cables and accessories used must withstand a wide range of chemical, thermal and mechanical loads, and also function perfectly at all times in refrigerated and damp rooms.

Read more...
Redefining mobility for fibre cabling
Legrand Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
As data volumes rapidly increase globally, specialists need to take an urgent look at IT and network infrastructure, with a particular focus on vital equipment like servers, racks and fibre cabling. The Legrand team believes that advanced fibre cabling solutions, which have been developed to simplify deployment, lower costs, improve performance and enable greater densities, will efficiently meet future capacity demands.

Read more...
High-speed data transmission
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Data protocols are constantly evolving to enable interoperability and reliable transfer of increasing amounts of data at the highest speeds between more and more connected devices. To address this technological challenge, Fischer Connectors is expanding its platform capabilities to meet the most demanding connectivity requirements for high-speed data transfer.

Read more...
Robust Ethernet cordset cables
Turck Banner Southern Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Turck Banner offers a product range comprising a wealth of different connectors and cables, including over 115 000 connection technology solutions with differing degrees of complexity.

Read more...
What you need to know when you start using hydrogen as your fuel source
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
OEMs are taking a more serious look at hydrogen options. Although much of the market is still focused on the potential of battery-powered vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a viable supplement that is better suited for longer ranges and faster refuelling.

Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE closes the loop with complete panel solutions
SEW-EURODRIVE Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
In addition to its quality range of geared motors and related solutions, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa is ‘closing the loop’ of its products by offering customers electrical control panels as part of the package.

Read more...
Simplify control panel connections
Turck Banner Southern Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Panel builders have new tools for bringing power and signals back into protected areas with Turck Banner’s M8 and M12 receptacles.

Read more...
Control cabinet-free automation
Beckhoff Automation Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
As a replacement for the conventional control cabinet, the MX-System from Beckhoff offers some major efficiency advantages. It also provides a great deal of optimisation potential in terms of the increasing shortage of skilled workers and the expanding presence of DC supply networks across the industry.

Read more...
Cable protection for longer runs
igus Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Polymer energy chain manufacturer, igus has introduced a new lighter weight e-chain for cable management and protection applications with large unsupported lengths and high fill weights. This was previously the domain of larger, more expensive energy chains.

Read more...
Panel building should be streamlined
Schneider Electric South Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Data centres run critical applications, and require equipment and infrastructure that operate at 100% uptime, as any downtime due to faulty components could have catastrophic ramifications.

Read more...