Halver, March 06, 2023 - The ESCHA Group, based in Halver (Germany), generated consolidated sales of more than 102 million Euros in fiscal year 2022, setting a new record. Compared to the previous year, this corresponds to growth of plus 17 percent. The number of employees worldwide has also increased. Whereas in 2021 there were still around 840 people working for the industrial connectivity specialist, in the past fiscal year there were around 1,000 employees. The record figures resulted from sales growth in all important key markets and target industries.
"Based on strong order backlogs and incoming orders, we entered 2022 with an ambitious growth target in terms of planning. Despite a continued tense situation in pre-material procurement and the labor market, we were able to significantly exceed our targets. ESCHA recorded significant growth in all markets. Regionally, Europe in particular stands out with growth of over 20 percent compared to 2021. Despite our best efforts, we were not able to meet our own requirements for delivery times and delivery reliability at all times. Thanks to the capacity expansion and the adjusted purchasing behavior, we see ourselves on the best way to meet the expectations of our customers and our own demands," explains Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Marco Heck, Managing Director of the ESCHA Group, adding, "We have invested in further European manufacturing capabilities in Hungary and Poland, but have also been able to further develop all other locations."
Clear growth target for 2023
Commenting on the targets for 2023, Marco Heck says: "We continue to experience high demand for our products. The future technology Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is the focus of our developments. In addition, further products and services will be created in 2023 that will support our customers in their applications in the best possible way. ESCHA will continue to invest in technology, capacity and motivated employees at all locations this year. We plan to achieve double-digit growth again in fiscal year 2023."
In addition to Germany, ESCHA is present in a total of 33 countries - either with the support of partners or through its own sales force. Thanks to manufacturing facilities in Europe and Asia as well as licensed production in the USA and Mexico, ESCHA guarantees high availability as well as consistent quality of its products all over the world.
Halver, 25 January 2023 – On 1 January 2023 Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Michael Tölle joined us as the new overall sales manager of ESCHA GmbH & Co. KG. After other sales-oriented management functions, most recently at Balluff GmbH, Michael Tölle is now assuming responsibility for sales EMEA at ESCHA. At ESCHA, the 41-year-old is in charge of the Key-Account-Management, internal sales team and the sales activities of national and international distribution partners in the EMEA region. In his new role, he reports directly to Managing Director Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Marco Heck.
“With Michael Tölle, we are gaining an experienced executive who is both familiar with our industry and customer applications, as well as bringing extensive international sales experience to the table, “ explains Marco Heck.
Internationalization and customer focus
"In addition to the innovative products, I was particularly convinced by the consistent focus on customers, the ongoing global orientation and the clear sales strategy of working with ESCHA," says Michael Tölle. "Together with the entire team, we will work on continuing the growth story of the past years."
Michael Tölle studied industrial engineering and also completed a Master of Arts in Corporate Management & Economics. Michael Tölle has already held national and international sales positions at Haver & Boecker, Eisenmann Anlagenbau and Balluff.
Halver, 21 September 2022 – At the SPS 2022 in Nuremberg, the German connectivity specialist ESCHA is giving an outlook on the coming trends and technologies that will shape the development of connectors in the coming years. The main focus will be on Single Pair Ethernet technology (SPE). ESCHA will show over molded M8- and M12-connectors based on the T1 industrial interface according to IEC 63171-6. In addition, the company is showing two novelties that will extend already existing product portfolios. On the one hand, these include new Deutsch-DT-connectors in additional polarities and in LED-variants, which are primarily aimed at applications in the field of mobile automation. On the other hand, new shielded connectors that complement the present multipole M8 product range.
Single Pair Ethernet – The future standard
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is the future technology in industrial automation. Using compact cables and connectors, high data transmission rates can be brought to the most distant sensor in the field. SPE is a vital component on the way to a fully networked production as envisaged in Industry 4.0 or IIoT. Based on the T1 industrial interface according to IEC 63171-6, which was defined in 2018, ESCHA has developed over molded M8- and M12-connectors, which meet the market-based tightness requirements and therefore are particularly suitable for use in harsh industrial environments. They will be available as single-ended- and double-ended cord sets and facilitate the power transmission typical for SPE (Power over Data Line).
Connectors in Deutsch-DT design for mobile automation
In the agricultural sector and commercial vehicle industry, exceptionally high demands are placed on connectivity. The environmental conditions and everyday stresses are extreme. In this sector, as well, the trend is away from manual assembly and towards over molded connectivity that can be used immediately. The advantages are obvious: less susceptibility to errors as well as faster, more reliable and more cost-effective wiring. ESCHA has developed a product range with over molded connectors based on the widely used Deutsch-DT design, which combines the aforementioned advantages in one product. Additionally, it does not fall back on prefabricated components, but offers a solution engineered from scratch at ESCHA, in which the self-designed contacts and contact carriers are over molded in a one-shot process. This avoids long supply chains and ensures high availability. So far, 2-, 4- and 6-pole versions are available in male- and female design as well as single-ended- and double-ended cord sets. The new 3-, 8- and 12-pole versions and LED variants will be shown at SPS.
As usual at ESCHA and upon customer request, different modification options are possible, such as double-ended cord sets with M12-connectors on the B-side. Due to this wide range of variants, the over molded connectors in Deutsch-DT design do not only replace the field-wireable variants that were primarily used up to now, they also offer a compact alternative to valve connectors. The DT-connectors can optionally be equipped with a threaded grip body for protective hoses. The protective hoses offer additional protection against stone chips and pollution in the outdoor area. All products meet the high demands of protection class IP67, IP68 and IP69.
Multipole M8-connectivity in shielded design
Sensors are becoming more compact and more complex; therefore, they have to deliver even more information, too. Due to this development, the demand for simultaneously compact and multipole connectors is rising. The connectivity specialist ESCHA meets this demand with its M8-product-range in 8-pole-design. So far, the ESCHA multipole product range only consisted of unshielded versions. The shielded versions will celebrate their premiere at the SPS. At market launch, straight and angled versions will be available in male and female design, which – in combination with the «S370» (PUR/PP) cable quality – have UL-approval. With the cable quality «P00» (PVC/PVC) there is also a cost-effective alternative to choose from.
Standard, Special, Tailor-made
In addition, ESCHA is again showing solutions out of its comprehensive standard portfolio as well as interesting modification projects and customer-specific developments. Visitors can get information on these topics on Stand 321 in Hall 10.0 from 8 to 10 November.
Halver, 13 July 2022 – The food processing industry sets high demands in terms of hygiene and process security that by far exceed those of the classical machinery. These demands can be transferred on-to-one to connectors and cables. The German connectivity specialist ESCHA offers a broad product range in so-called «Hygienic Design» that can be used without any concerns in this demanding application area due to specifically selected plastics and cable qualities as well as highest protection classes (IP67, IP68 and IP69). ESCHA has set up a portfolio that includes connectivity solutions for the three typical zones within the food- and beverage industry: Contact zone, spray zone and packaging zone.
Contact zone
In the contact zone, food can get in contact with system parts and afterwards be returned to the handling process. Therefore, the hygiene requirements are particularly high in this area. To avoid the deposit of residues, connectors may not contain any dirt pockets. That is why ESCHA has developed a product range of M8- and M12-connectors in Hygienic Design, referring to EHEDG directives (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group). Moreover, FDA compliant materials and a high-quality TPE cable quality guarantee a high resistance to sour and alkaline cleaning- and disinfectant agents. All sealing- and optical properties of the connectors are maintained in the long run despite regular use of steam-jet- and high-pressure cleaning.
Spray zone
In the spray zone – also called wash-down zone – food may also enter in contact with system parts, but will not be returned to the handling process. Thus, the hygiene requirements towards connectors and cables are correspondingly lower in this zone. ESCHA offers easy to clean M8- and M12-connectors in Hygienic Design, which are equipped with a PVC cable quality adapted to the spray zone. The M12-connectors are also optionally available with high-quality plastic locking nuts, which offer a cost-effective alternative to the usual V4A stainless steel.
Packaging zone
In contrast to the contact zone and the spray zone, the packaging zone is comparable to the classic industrial area. The food can no longer get in contact with system parts there. Therefore, aggressive cleaning agents and steam-jet cleaning are not required. For this zone, ESCHA has set up a multi-variant product range, which uses products from the proven sensor-/actuator wiring. This means that the entire range of different standard cable qualities is available. From the all-rounder «S370» to robotic cables to particularly flexible cables that easily withstand several million torsion- and bending cycles and are therefore predestined for use in drag-chain applications.
Halver, 28 June 20222 – The German connectivity specialist ESCHA shows a world premiere at the international leading trade fair InnoTrans from 20 to 23 September in Berlin. For the first time, the company shows pre-assembled and overmolded valve connectors with general rail approval meeting the high security standards according to DIN EN 45545-2 (fire performance) and DIN EN 50155 (shock, vibration and mechanical stresses). So far, there have only been field-wireable alternatives or overmolded connectors, where only the cable is approved for the use in the rail industry. ESCHA is the first manufacturer offering overmolded valve connectors with a general approval for this demanding market. Compared to the field-wireable variants, these offer the advantage that they are more reliable, easier – and above all – quicker to install. The new valve connectors will be available in different designs right from the market launch and complement the comprehensive product range called «rail approved», which ESCHA has developed specifically for the bus- and rail industry.
High number of variants
The new rail-specific valve connectors from ESCHA can be ordered in different versions directly after the InnoTrans. As a standard, the A, B, BI, C and CI housing styles are equipped with a threaded grip body for protective hoses. The protective hose protects the cable against damage by stone chip and pollution on train exteriors. In addition, the valve connectors are available with LED status display as well as protective circuit. Different cable diameters complete the range. Of course, all variants meet the high requirements according to protection classes IP65, IP67 and IP68.
The right connectivity for every level
The current «rail approved» product range from ESCHA comprises connectivity solutions for four various wiring levels. For the Ethernet-Train-Backbone level (IEC 61375-2-5), ESCHA offers components with data transmission rates up to 10GBit/sec (Cat6A). For the second level – the Ethernet Consist Network (ECN) according to IEC 61375-3-4 – components with data transmission rates up to 100Mbit/sec (Cat5e) are used. As to the sensor-/actuator wiring on the third level, ESCHA offers M8- and M12-connectors, which will now be complemented by the new valve connectors. For power supply on the fourth wiring level, ESCHA has selected single-ended and double-ended cord sets with S-coding out of the «M12 POWER» product range. They have been adjusted to the typically high rail industry requirements and are particularly adapted for alternating current applications (AC-applications up to 12A / 630V).
Industry-specific add-on services
In order to accommodate the individual rail industry requirements, ESCHA does not specify any standard cable lengths in case of «rail approved» items and supplies inch-perfect. In addition to kitting, labelling and further services facilitating on-board installations, ESCHA offers customer-specific cable harnesses to easily realize complex wiring structures. With the possibility of different specifications for individual wagons. Visitors to stand 250 in hall 12 of the Berlin fairground can obtain information on these topics and the possibilities of customer-specific individual developments.
Halver, 22 March 2022 – The connectivity specialist ESCHA has developed a new and comprehensive product portfolio with overmolded connectors in Deutsch-DT design. The rectangular connectors are particularly suitable for application areas in the field of agricultural- and construction machinery, emergency vehicles as well as the transport industry and the extreme environmental conditions and loads prevailing there. The new product range is available with immediate effect and is already available for market launch in the typical 2-, 4- and 6-pole versions in male- and female design. In combination with the ESCHA exclusive PUR cable called «S370», the new connectors in Deutsch-DT design become real all-rounders.
The agricultural sector and commercial vehicle industry set exceptionally high demands in terms of connectivity. The environmental conditions and every-day loads are particularly challenging. Even in this industry, the trend is moving away from manual assembly to overmolded and immediately usable connectivity. The advantages of this solution are obvious: A reduced error rate as well as a faster, more reliable and more cost-effective wiring. The new product range in Deutsch-DT design from ESCHA combines the aforementioned advantages in one product. Additionally, it does not fall back on field-wireable components –as usual in the market. It offers a one-shot-solution engineered from scratch at ESCHA. This avoids long supply chains and ensures high availability.
High variety
At the market launch, the product range will include single-ended cord sets with open cable ends as well as double-ended cord sets with overmolded connectors in Deutsch-DT design on the B-side. As usual at ESCHA and upon customer request, different modification options are possible, such as double-ended cord sets with M12-connectors on the B-side. Due to this wide range of variants, the overmolded connectors in Deutsch-DT design not only replace the field-wireable variants that were primarily used up to now, they also offer a compact alternative to valve connectors.
The DT-connectors can optionally be equipped with a threaded grip body for protective hoses. The protective hoses offer additional protection against stone chips and pollution in the outdoor area. All products meet the high demands of protection classes IP67, IP68 and IP69. The molded release tab prevents unintentional disconnection under load and increases safety. An also molded dovetail can be used for installation. To increase clarity in the application, colored marking rings can be ordered as matching original accessories.
Complete program for «Mobile Automation»
Next to the new connectors in Deutsch-DT design, ESCHA has been offering M12-connectors with plastic locking nuts for a while. These are also particularly suitable for demanding applications in the agricultural- and commercial vehicle sector. Due to their robustness, they offer a cost-effective alternative to stainless-steel locking nuts. The high-quality plastics do not only withstand extreme temperature changes from -30°C to +90°C, furthermore, they consist of UV stabilizers prevent them getting porous or rough. In addition, they can be easily removed from containments with pressurised water, mud or oil. Through their unique design, the plastic locking nuts can be tightened by hand as well as with a torque wrench. Afterwards, they also fulfil the high protection degrees according to IP67, IP68 and IP69. The plastic locking nuts are available in black, grey, red or blue to easily mark, match and differentiate the connectors.
Halver, 8 March 2022– The connectivity specialist ESCHA does not only offer unique single-ended- and double-ended cord sets, it also offers manufactured cable harnesses adapted to individual customer requirements. Complex wiring structures can easily be realized with these harnesses. Overmolded connectors from ESCHA can be combined into inch-perfect cable harnesses facilitating and speeding up fitters’ work. It is possible to label cables through a variety of markings and printings simplifying allocation of cables and contributing to reducing installation time as well.
Meanwhile, single cord sets are no more used in many applications, but readily made harnesses. Typical examples of this are wind turbines or the railway industry. ESCHA manufacturers cable harnesses for wind turbines with a total length of over 18 meters. In the railway industry, the variability is very high because individual cable harnesses are often required due to the different specifications for individual wagons. Cable harnesses have many advantages over single cables: They need small space and can be installed more easily and quickly.
Individualization upon customer request
Upon customer request, ESCHA equips overmolded connectors in cable harnesses with markings, printings and protective hoses facilitating installation even by unskilled staff. In order to make sure cable harnesses can be directly installed, they undergo a hundred percent electrical test at ESCHA. On demand, they are packed and shipped as customer individual sets.
Halver, 2 March 2022 – The ESCHA Group and duotec acquire highly qualified manufacturing capacities in Central Europe. duotec and ESCHA will jointly acquire 49 percent of the shares in SVI Hungary Kft on 1 March 2022, in Ajka (Western Hungary) by the SVI Group. Over the next two years, duotec and ESCHA will also take over the remaining 51 percent. Carsten Bremerskov, Vice President of Sales SVI Group: “The transaction is good news for SVI, duotec and the ESCHA Group as it will create new investments and business areas for SVI Hungary. I would like to congratulate our three groups on this successful transaction.”
Central location, short distances and 20 years of EMS competence
duotec and ESCHA will jointly increase production for SVI Hungary Kft. in the future and invest further. The first projects are already underway, as SVI Hungary Kft. with its approximately 120 highly qualified employees have a lot of experience, especially in the assembly of electrical and electronic components. From now on, duotec and ESCHA customers will be able to take advantage of further attractive benefits: diversified and stable supply chains with the highest quality. In addition, the entire transaction will be handled by the well-known duotec and ESCHA contact persons.
"In times of allocation and interrupted supply chains, access to regional production sites becomes more and more important. Therefore, we are pleased to welcome SVI Hungary, a competitive site to duotec," says Philipp Mirliauntas (CSO duotec).
"The ESCHA Group has experienced continuous growth in recent years. We are pleased that with the investment in SVI Hungary we have the opportunity to expand our production capacities in Europe and to continue the growth course we have embarked upon. Thanks to the excellently trained employees in Hungary, we will be able to continue to supply our customers reliably and with the usual high ESCHA quality," adds Dietrich Turck (Managing Director ESCHA Group).
Manufacturing in Central Europe
Following the acquisition of shares in the EMS service provider Tabemax S.J. in Poland at the end of last year by ml&s GmbH & Co. KG, a duotec company, another attractive manufacturing location is now available in Hungary. Bernd Odoj (COO duotec): "We are very much looking forward to the future cooperation with the Hungarian company. Together with SVI Hungary as an excellent producer, we will further develop the portfolio of the entire duotec and offer our customers an optimal and sustainable product range."
Halver, 15 February 2022 – The Germany-based ESCHA Group generated a consolidated turnover of 87 million Euros in the 2021 financial year and thus achieved a new record result. Compared to the previous year, this corresponds to growth of plus 24 percent. The number of employees worldwide has also increased. While around 780 people were working for the industrial connectivity specialist in 2020, there were around 840 employees in the past financial year. The record figures result from sales growth in all important key markets and target industries.
“After the challenges of 2020, we deliberately started 2021 with positive planning. At the time, we were already firmly convinced that industrial transformation with the related megatrends as well as the accelerated digitization would play into our hands and our products. However, we did not expect an increase in sales of almost a quarter. Especially since the general conditions were anything but optimal due to the ongoing pandemic, the tense situation with primary goods and the supply chains that were not yet running smoothly again. We would never have been able to reach this milestone without the dedication and commitment of our employees”, says Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Marco Heck, Managing Director of the ESCHA Group and adds: “These impressive figures are also the result of process optimization and targeted investments. Last year, we invested more than 2.3 million Euros in new machinery and equipment. We would have invested even more but had to contend with delivery bottlenecks on the part of the machine manufacturers.”
Since March 2021, ESCHA has been a member of the «Climate Friendly Mid-Sized Companies» initiative of the Federal Association of Energy Consumers (VEA). So far, around 100 mid-sized companies have joined forces in this initiative to exchange views on environmental and climate protection and to benefit from each other’s experiences. The common goals are to use energy more efficiently, to focus more on climate-friendly energies and to support climate protection projects.
Growth target for 2022
Despite the continuing uncertainties, the ESCHA Group is entering the year 2022 with a clear growth target. Marco Heck: “We want to continue the successful growth path of the 2021 financial year in 2022. In order to remain to serve our customers reliably, ESCHA will put new production capacities into operation in Hungary and Poland. Moreover, we will continue to invest in our headquarters in Halver, Germany. In addition, we will extend our product portfolio in many areas, focussing on the future technology of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). This technology will make a significant contribution to the ongoing digitization of industrial manufacturing processes.”
In order to achieve the stated goals, ESCHA relies on well-trained staff. Especially at the headquarters in Germany, the family-controlled company is currently looking for employees for very different areas. In addition to Germany, ESCHA is present in 33 countries – either with the support of partners or through own sales. Thanks to production facilities in Europe and China as well as license production in the USA and Mexico, ESCHA guarantees high availability and consistent quality of its products worldwide.
Halver, 17 November 2021 – Due to the current occurrence of infections in Germany and Bavaria, the German connectivity specialist ESCHA had to cancel their attendance in this year’s «SPS smart production solutions» trade-show, taking place in Nuremberg from 23 to 25 November 2021. The rising incidences as well as the current recommendation of the German government’s central scientific institution in the field of biomedicine (Robert-Koch-Institut / RKI) led among other things to this decision.
“Like many in our industry, we were looking forward to this year’s SPS in Nuremberg. We had hoped to be able to meet our partners and customers in person again. Unfortunately, the corona situation has worsened in Germany in general and in Bavaria in particular in the last few weeks. This development and the recommendation of the RKI to avoid major events meant that ESCHA unfortunately had to cancel their participation”, says Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Marco Heck, Managing Director of the ESCHA Group and adds: “In the current situation, there is no risk to take and it is important to protect the health of our employees and trade-show visitors.”
The SPS in Nuremberg is the biggest and most important event for ESCHA in the European trade-show calendar. Therefore, the company hopes that next year’s edition can take place under reasonable conditions. The past few months have shown that there is no digital substitute for face-to-face events.
Halver, 7 October 2021 – At the SPS 2021 in Nuremberg, the German connectivity specialist ESCHA is giving an outlook on the coming trends and technologies that will shape the development of connectors in the coming years. The main focus will be on Single Pair Ethernet technology (SPE). ESCHA will show a first concept, which is going to be further developed in customer discussions and adapted to current needs. In addition, the company is showing two product novelties that will be available immediately after their trade show premiere. These include new connectors in Deutsch-DT design, which are primarily aimed at applications in the field of mobile automation, as well as new shielded connectors that complement the present multipole M8 product range.
Single Pair Ethernet – The future standard
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is the future technology in industrial automation. Using compact cables and connectors, high data transmission rates can be brought to the most distant sensor in the field. SPE is a vital component on the way to a fully networked production as envisaged in Industry 4.0 or IIoT. As a member of the SPE Industrial Partner Network, in which leading technology companies have joined forces, ESCHA is promoting the development of a uniform SPE interface. On this basis, ESCHA has developed an SPE concept based on the T1 industrial interface according to IEC 63171-6, which was defined in 2018.
The overmolded M8- and M12-variants shown by ESCHA will meet the market-based tightness requirements and are therefore particularly suitable for use in harsh industrial environments. They will be available as single-ended- and double-ended cord sets and facilitate the power transmission typical for SPE (Power over Data Line). But before the concept will be finally market-ready, the connectivity specialist wants to use the first in-person trade show in two years to discuss the final details in joint customer meetings.
Connectors in Deutsch-DT design for mobile automation
In the agricultural sector and commercial vehicle industry, exceptionally high demands are placed on connectivity. The environmental conditions and everyday stresses are extreme. In this sector, as well, the trend is away from manual assembly and towards overmolded connectivity that can be used immediately. The advantages are obvious: less susceptibility to errors as well as faster, more reliable and more cost-effective wiring. ESCHA has developed a new product range with overmolded connectors based on the widely used Deutsch-DT design, which combines the aforementioned advantages in one product. Additionally, it does not fall back on prefabricated components, but offers a solution engineered from scratch at ESCHA, in which the self-designed contacts and contact carriers are overmolded in a one-shot process. This avoids long supply chains and ensures high availability.
The 2-, 4- and 6-pole versions are available in male- and female design as well as single-ended- and double-ended cord sets. As usual at ESCHA and upon customer request, different modification options are possible, such as double-ended cord sets with M12-connectors on the B-side. Due to this wide range of variants, the overmolded connectors in Deutsch-DT design do not only replace the field-wireable variants that were primarily used up to now, they also offer a compact alternative to valve connectors. The DT-connectors can optionally be equipped with a threaded grip body for protective hoses. The protective hoses offer additional protection against stone chips and pollution in the outdoor area. All products meet the high demands of protection class IP67, IP68 and IP69.
Multipole M8-connectivity in shielded design
Sensors are becoming more compact and more complex; therefore they have to deliver even more information, too. Due to this development, the demand for simultaneously compact and multipole connectors is rising. The connectivity specialist ESCHA meets this demand with its M8-product-range in 8-pole-design. So far, the ESCHA multipole product range only consisted of unshielded versions. The shielded versions will celebrate their premiere at the SPS. At market launch, straight and angled versions will be available in male and female design. With «S370» (PUR/PP) and «P00» (PVC/PVC), there are two cable qualities to choose from.
Standard, Special, Tailor-made
In addition, ESCHA is again showing solutions out of its comprehensive standard portfolio as well as interesting modification projects and customer-specific developments. Visitors can get information on these topics on Stand 341 in Hall 10.0 from 23 to 25 November.
Halver, 29 June 2021 – As sensors are becoming more and more complex and compact, the information density to be transmitted is continuously rising. This development directly influences the connectivity to be used and leads to an increasing demand for connectors that are also compact and multipole at the same time. Therefore, the German connectivity specialist ESCHA extends its M8-connector range by multipole variants with 8 pins. A complete product family consisting of molded single-ended- and double-ended cordsets as well as matching receptacles will be on offer right from the market launch. There are two cable qualities to choose from, which particularly meet the demands of automation industry.
Technical features allow a wide range of applications
The new M8-connectors comply with the IEC 61076-2-104 standard. They are dust- and waterproof according to protection classes IP65, IP67 and IP68. In addition, they can be used without hesitation in a temperature range from -30°C to +90°C. Right from the market launch, ESCHA will be offering a comprehensive product portfolio consisting of straight and angled connectors in male or female design. These are available as single-ended- or double-ended cordsets in different standard lengths or in customer-specific length. A flexible, silicone- and halogen-free PUR-cable with high mechanical strength and UL-approval (S370) as well as a cost-effective PVC-cable (P00) are available as cable qualities. Both cable qualities especially meet the demands of mechanical- and plant engineering and cover typical applications. Due to a connection cross-section up to 0.25mm² the M8-connectors with eight pins have a low voltage drop. At the beginning of the fourth quarter 2021, shielded versions will follow to complete the product portfolio.
Halver, 8 June 2021 – In automotive production, connectivity has to meet different requirements in different production areas. The German connectivity specialist ESCHA offers special solutions taking into account the requirements in body construction on the one hand and in vehicle assembly on the other. Among other things, a cable quality with enlarged outer-jacket for excellent welding sparks resistance was developed for the body construction. For the area of vehicle assembly, extremely flexible cable qualities are offered due to the high density of robots. In both areas, the Automation Initiative of the German Automotive Industry (AIDA) defines so called safety applications in which only connectors with a yellow grip body and a yellow cable may be used. These special solutions are also part of the ESCHA automotive portfolio.
At ESCHA, automobile manufacturers obtain individual components that are optimally tailored to the different areas and their requirements. The connectivity specialist dealt in advance and in detail with the respective requirements and developed a suitable product range that goes far beyond single-ended- and double-ended cord sets. While Y-splitters from ESCHA enable automobile manufacturers to distribute signals quickly and easily, matching original accessories – like mounting clips – increase the clarity and safety in the system. M8- and M12-connectors are simply pressed into these clips. Then, the cables are securely attached and can be assigned more easily.
Connectivity for the body construction
Vehicle bodies are manufactured in the body construction, which is why welding robots are used and welding beads might occur. These welding beads must not permanently damage the cables so that machine failures do not occur later. That is why ESCHA offers a special cable quality with enlarged outer-jacket designated as «S740» for this application area. Despite its enlarged outer-jacket, this cable offers good drag-chain- and torsion capabilities and can withstand up to five million bending cycles without any problems.
Connectivity for vehicle assembly
There is a comparably high density of robots in vehicle assembly. Due to the constant movements, the mechanical stresses are very demanding for the connectors and cables. The connectors must have a reliable vibration protection to avoid disconnecting under permanent load and to ensure a constant data- and signal transmission. The cables must have to withstand several million drag-chain- and torsion cycles. For this area ESCHA has developed an extremely flexible PUR-cable called «S370» that can take up to five million drag-chain cycles and up to two million torsion cycles.
Safety applications
In order to distinguish between safety applications and other applications, the Automation Initiative of the German Automotive Industry (AIDA) has defined a standard. According to this standard, connectors and cables in safety applications must have a yellow grip body respectively a yellow cable jacket. Yellow serves as a signal color for visual differentiation and is intended to give installers and maintenance personnel a quick overview of the structure and function of the wiring. With «S740YE» and «S730YE», ESCHA offers yellow variants with identical properties and approvals of cable and connector to those of the black version.
Halver, 27 April 2021 – In times of IoT, Industry 4.0 and Big Data a fast and especially reliable data transmission becomes more important. As applications become more and more complex, the size of the data packages to be transmitted increases in parallel. The German connectivity specialist ESCHA offers a comprehensive product range that was developed specifically for the transmission of high data rates of up to 10GBit/sec in demanding industrial applications. By offering RJ45-, M8- and M12-connectors, ESCHA has the right solutions for a seamless data transmission from the office level via the control cabinet to the most compact sensor on field level. All connectors have been designed and tested according to current HF-aspects in the company’s own high-frequency test lab. They meet the requirements of the most common Industrial Ethernet protocols and, due to their data transmission reserves, enable a future-proof solution for tomorrow’s networks today.
Connectivity for all applications on field level
Data connectors are used in various applications on field level. These applications can be divided into three groups, having their individual requirements towards connectivity. The first group combines static applications, in which the connectivity is permanently installed. For example on conveyor- and transportation belts or in high-bay warehouses. Therefore, ESCHA has introduced a portfolio with a cost-optimized PVC-cable.
The second group has high demands towards flexibility and robustness of connectors and cables at the same time. This includes drag-chain-applications, such as those typically found in mechanical engineering. For this area ESCHA offers various PUR-cables that can withstand up to three million bending cycles without risk.
The biggest challenges exist in robotic applications. In addition to the drag-chain-properties, the torsion properties of the connectivity are also important in these applications. With connectivity from the «PROFINET robotic» range from ESCHA, data rates of up to 100Mbit/sec can be brought to the tip of a robot arm. The special cable called «S5100» withstands a combined load from horizontal movement (5 million cycles) and torsion (5 million cycles), as required by the industrial standard «Type R». In this way, for example, grippers with intelligent sensors or cameras can be reliably controlled via a Fast Ethernet transmission.
Wiring is the foundation for Industry 4.0
Networks are the backbone of automation and continuously increasing data volumes and transmission speeds can already be observed today. While current industrial communication-networks are still fault-tolerant to a certain extent, production processes – as they are envisaged in Industry 4.0 – can only be implemented using high-quality cabling in the future. Data connectors from ESCHA have been designed according to current HF-aspects and consist of data transmission rates. They enable a future-proof solution already today and form the foundation for the networks of tomorrow.
Halver, 23 March 2021 – A new standard called «Type R» defines requirements for Profinet cables used in robotic applications. The German connectivity specialist ESCHA has been offering a comprehensive product portfolio under the name of «PROFINET robotic» for over a year, which combines very good drag chain properties (5 million bending cycles) with very good torsion properties (5 million torsion cycles) and thus precisely meets the requirements of the new industry standard. The flexible cable designated as S5100 is based on a two-pair data cable that guarantees Fast Ethernet transmission according to Cat5e.
100Mbit/sec on the robot arm
With «PROFINET robotic» connectivity from ESCHA, data transmission rates of up to 100Mbit/sec can be brought to the tip of a robot arm. The S5100 cable withstands a combined load from horizontal movement and torsion, so that grippers with for example intelligent sensors or cameras can be reliably controlled. Due to its UL-approval, the PUR-cable is suitable for the North American market. The «PROFINET robotic» product range from ESCHA consists of various connectors in M8-, M12- and RJ45 design. These ensure that seamless data communication can be implemented between the sensors on the robot arm, the robot system and their connection to the control level.