Robust connectors for industrial robotics and factory automation

• Good safeguarding against failure
• Excellent guidance
• Robust design
• High quality
• Easy of use
• Easy handling during servicing
• Long lifetime (high numbers of mating cycles)
• Versatile insert configuration
• Excellent electrical specifications
• Wide operating temperature range
• Compliance with EN 61984:2009, Connectors. Safety requirements and tests

Docking connectors

Designed to for automatic mating and de-mating, the ODU DOCK connectors can be applied electrically, pneumatically or, where required, manually. Particular care has been taken in developing the guidance and contact systems to ensure high reliability, even when the connectors are subjected to high numbers of mating cycles.

Typically the ODU DOCK and ROB connectors are assembled into combined quick-coupling systems that enable multiple electrical and pneumatic connections to be made in a single mating action, so an important aspect of the design is the floating mounting. Depending on the model selected, the housing may be manufactured from plastic or aluminium (nickel-plated or black anodised), and EMC protection is available if required. Various sizes are offered to suit different applications, with the number of positions ranging from two to 36 (plus ground), for signals, power or a combination of both, and cable exits can be straight or right-angled. Modular inserts enable customers to specify the combinations of contacts required to suit particular applications. Ingress protection up to IP65 is available.

High reliability in the ODU DOCK connectors is ensured in part due to the use of ODU's Springtac contact technology, so users can be confident the connectors will cope with up to 100,000 mating cycles (some customers have reported much higher numbers without any sign of malfunction). If very high numbers of mating cycles are anticipated, ODU offers docking connectors with compact quick-change heads (QCH technology) so that only the contacts are changed, without having to disturb the wiring.

Robot connectors

ODU ROB connectors for industrial robots come in two sizes, both protected to IP67. According to ODU, these connectors benefit from enhanced reliability thanks to patented 'double-bellied lamella technology' - this type of contact uses flat ('lamella') contacts rather than the sprung wire edges used in the ODU DOCK connectors, giving high current-carrying capacity (maximum 180A), low contact resistance, low insertion forces, high resistance to impact and vibration loads, and high numbers of mating cycles (over 10,000). ODU ROB connectors are available with two contact positions (plus ground) and two pilot contacts. The operating temperature range for these robust robot connectors is -40 to +120degC.

Follow the links for more information about ODU DOCK and ODU ROB connectors.