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 optimising 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; online shop
• Success for the customer: simple and fast commissioning thanks to centralised interface. Minimisation 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 customised furniture with networked production lines such as pallet and accessory warehouses. Customers can configure customised furniture online and order it directly. The high level of automation reduces the production and delivery time to a minimum and at the same time fulfils customers' individual wishes.

The existing readychain® solutions have been expanded to include the central interface Module Connect as part of optimisations that are subject to process improvements. This has greatly simplified handling for commissioning as well as for service and inspection work, and downtimes have been minimised.

Thanks to the flexible modularity, existing installation space could be optimally utilised. Four housings with four cable inlets each and different contact carriers were used from the existing product range on each side to connect the numerous cables in an industrially compatible manner. From Harting's modular programme of insulating bodies, which comprises over 100 different variants, we installed, among other things

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

The pin side of the Module Connect interface was assembled by igus® in the factory and then delivered to the customer with final testing. The other side of the connector, the socket side of the Module Connect, was incorporated directly into the existing system on site by experienced igus® fitters. Thanks to this service, the narrow time window on the construction site could be used optimally, and igus® also helps to minimise possible sources of error and supplies "everything from a single source".

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 specialised employees, guarantee perfect interaction and a comprehensive solution package for the customer. The customer's needs are always at the centre of attention thanks to the forced readychain® solution.

The plug-and-play solution with Module Connect provides particular added value, combining and simplifying many individual connection points into one central connection point. The ready-to-connect readychain® system with Module Connect as a complete assembly enables the customer to install and replace the entire cable carrier system without the need for specialised electrical engineering personnel.