Instrumentation Monthly Test | Measurement | Control
Molex has announced a collaboration with Contrinex, a Switzerland-based manufacturer of inductive and photoelectric sensors for factory automation as well as safety and RFID systems. With sensors providing the essential steps of analysing and communicating high-level data to cloud-based applications, this collaboration further strengthens Molex’s Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solution offerings and positions the company as an end-to-end solution provider for industrial automation. 
With fully integrated engineering expertise and solutions, Molex helps customers reap the benefits of Industry 4.0 for machines and network platforms requiring integrated communications. Through a combination of strategic acquisitions, collaborations and R&D, Molex has continued to expand its offerings for industrial automation to address customers’ requirements for smart manufacturing and digital transformation.
“Having sensors added to our portfolio will enable us to create more value for our customers by providing an integrated solution with the expertise from both Molex and Contrinex,” said Riky Comini, director, industrial automation, Molex. “By offering an end-to-end solution, we add value for our manufacturing customers by helping them rethink traditional business models and meet their digital transformation goals.”
Molex now offers product designers a wide range of inductive and photoelectric sensors, most of which feature a powerful ASIC for first-class operating distances and long sensor life. For difficult environments, the portfolio includes products with IP67, 68 and 69K ratings and Ecolab compliance. The inductive range also features exceptionally robust devices in one-piece stainless-steel housings, some with additional salt-water resistance and others with weld-field immunity. The extensive photoelectric range includes transparent object sensors with patented UV technology as well as colour and contrast sensors. When space is limited, Molex can provide a wide choice of miniature, self-contained devices in diameters from just 3 mm (inductive) or 4 mm (photoelectric). Like most sensors in the portfolio, these tiny devices also feature an optional IO-Link interface for remote sensor teaching, adjustment and monitoring. Through the IO-Link interface, sensor process and output data can be seamlessly integrated in an IoT architecture for continuous monitoring and diagnosis.
“Contrinex is very excited to collaborate with Molex and have our inductive and photoelectric sensor ranges integrated into Molex industrial devices,” said Annette Heimlicher, chief executive officer, Contrinex. “Molex offers industry-leading expertise and long-standing customer relationships, and together, we will help customers find optimum solutions for all sensing problems.”
