While the robotics market continues to be dominated by manufacturers in central Europe and Asia, UK manufacturers are increasingly leading in other areas of industrial automation, such as robotic process automation, packing, warehousing, logistics and more. Original equipment manufacturers in the UK therefore have a unique opportunity to innovate and compete by embracing smarter, more resilient machinery.

Taking a customised approach from the design and development stage will help limit downtime, streamline assembly and deliver leading performance, helping businesses capitalise on the situation.

Areas of focus

The rise of the smart factory has significantly increased the scope of industrial automation outside the realm of traditional robotics, both on and off the factory floor. Cobots (collaborative robots) are entering these areas, too, alongside robotic pickers, conveyor systems and high-speed sensors. This is in addition to autonomous guided vehicles used in warehousing, automated test rigs in use for in-house testing and measurement, and more.

Opting for custom cable assemblies and components at the earliest stages of a project ensures robustness and suitability of the design, but also it simplifies it, reducing component count and streamlining assembly. Custom wiring looms, for example, combine multiple complex types of wires and cables to meet space constraints, simplify installation and leave room to accommodate future growth or the addition of new features.

Ruggedisation against stress

Off-the-shelf solutions often fall short of this sector’s tough requirements, where high levels of vibration and temperature resistance are required to protect component from failure due to mechanical stress.

Similarly, design and development engineers might be required to specify cable assemblies rated to industrial IP standards for dust, moisture and shock protection to meet industry or country-specific compliance laws.

Giving engineers the ability to customise and ruggedise components means increasing the reliability of the system, particularly where physical impacts are likely – such as in material handling or packaging lines. This minimises the risk of failure and downtime.

Then, there is the testing and validation stage, which is just as important. Physical prototyping is a must, to ensure your customised assembly meets all performance and safety standards.

Precision for high-movement applications

Taking a custom approach to design and manufacturing can be especially relevant for OEMs that supply drives and motion control systems, where a high degree of precision, speed and control is required. This includes servo motors, linear actuators, or gear-driven robotic arms — machinery that operates with constant flexing, repetitive cycles, and high acceleration and deceleration forces.

Customising the assemblies and components provides peace of mind about the precision of your electronics, whilst guarding against assembly failure, which could cause misalignment. Where standard industrial cabling might fail in servo motors, due to either conductor fatigue or sheath breakdown, design and development engineers can specify customised cables with controlled bend radii, overmoulded strain reliefs and reinforced jacketing to deliver extended flex lives.

EMI shielding for signal integrity

Another vital consideration during the product development stages is the preservation of signal integrity, especially in the presence of other electronics. This is even an even greater concern for industrial electronics operating in ‘noisy’ factory floor environments.

Signal degradation can deliver faulty test results and unreliable system feedback, while control panels near heavy machinery can also be affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI). Selecting suitable materials for the cable, insulation, shielding and connectors – based on performance and environmental requirements – is a crucial design consideration for engineers.

Customising cable assemblies means that design engineers can combine power and signal functions into a single assembly, enjoying simpler routing without worrying about crosstalk. Instead, they can work with the manufacturer to specify shielded enclosures within the assembly, EMI filters on power and signal lines, and physical separation within the assembly. This can all be achieved while maintaining a minimal level of interference acceptable for high-spec environments.

Custom cable assemblies

In essence, engineers designing automation and industrial systems should consider specifying custom cable assemblies early in the design process to ensure system reliability, reduce on-site rework, and meet safety and compliance standards.

By Paul Dearman, Head of Business Development, GTK

www.gtk.co.uk

“Molex is excited to reinforce our commitment to the aerospace and defense market with the acquisition of Smiths Interconnect,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO, Molex.

The acquisition is a strategic plan to further strengthen Molex in aerospace and defence sectors, following its acquisition of AirBorn last November.

“The combination of Molex’s global scale, capabilities and financial stability with Smiths Interconnect’s complementary technologies, products, customers and footprint will enable us to expand our aerospace and defense business and support customers in new and innovative ways,” said Nelligan.

Smiths Interconnect designs and manufactures innovative electronic components, along with microwave, optical and radio frequency products and subsystems that connect, protect and control critical applications.

Smiths Interconnect has 21 sales, R&D and manufacturing locations across 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia, India, China and Singapore.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. More information will be shared at that time. Jones Day is acting as Molex’s legal advisor and Rothschild & Co is serving as Molex’s exclusive financial advisor.

www.molex.com.

Thermal-magnetic protection without additional fuse
The Schurter DG11 power entry module (PEM) is now available in a version with an additional magnetic release to protect against very high over-currents (short circuits) at the integrated TA35 circuit breaker.

In addition to the thermal bimetal principle, the new magnetic module reliably protects against very high over-currents (short circuits). This eliminates the need for additional fuses. Depending on the application, slow or fast-acting characteristics are available.

Splash-proof and dust-tight to IP67
The DG11 power entry module and the mains connection cable are fitted with special sealing elements (gaskets) to achieve the very high degree of protection IP67.

Practical V-Lock cord retention
The new variants are equipped as standard with the proven V-Lock cord retention system, which prevents unintentional disconnection of the power supply.

For industrial and medical applications
The new DG11 is ideal for environments exposed to dirt, dust, or splashing water, where the highest safety standards apply. Typical applications include harsh industrial environments or demanding medical applications, where regular cleaning, disinfection, and reliable overcurrent (short-circuit) protection are essential.

DG11 with Magnetic Release

Schurter is a company, providing components for supply of power, input systems and HMI for ease of use and better solutions. Its target markets are industrial, medical, mobility, energy, aerospace and consumer.

Harwin has unveiled a new report into the U.S. connector market at this year’s EDS Leadership Summit in Las Vegas. Entitled ‘Connecting with North America’, the report summarizes key findings from the company’s exclusive 2025 survey of connector specifiers from across the United States.

The new survey looked into some of the most important applications for connectors, the technologies being chosen and criteria that engineers and purchasers use to make product and supplier choices. It also examined the importance of online tools in the design and selection process and investigated where specifiers obtain information for making effective design and buying decisions.

Among the key takeaways from the survey are the importance of product reliability – over 60 per cent of respondents expected reliability from five years to beyond ten years – and how the availability of complementary products and rapid sampling are factors when selecting suppliers. The survey results also underline the importance of online

tools and how artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to be used for selection, design, qualification and testing.

“Harwin is a well-established player in the U.S. connector market, a market that is expected to exceed USD 14 billion by 2034,” says Peter Schneid, Harwin’s Vice President of Marketing. “We are committed to understanding and anticipating the needs of customers in the region and this new survey provides additional insight that both validates our approach and helps us further evolve our product and service offerings.

“The demand for long-life, high-performance technologies highlighted by the survey, for example, aligns perfectly with our specialism in reliable, high-quality technologies for demanding applications, while our innovative digital tools are already addressing the proven demand for online offerings that speed comparison, design and prototyping.”

Harwin’s survey was completed during April 2025 by a broad cross-section of connector buyers and engineers based in the U.S. Respondent responsibilities ranged from procurement and design to executive leadership and covered key sectors such as industrial, automotive, aerospace, and telecoms.

To download a copy of the Connecting with North America report please visit: https://www.harwin.com/connector-research-25

The EDS Leadership Summit takes place from May 19th to 23rd 2025 at Resorts World, Las Vegas.

For more information visit: https://edssummit.com.

Markets continue to vary markedly in performance, with sharp declines in the Communications, Data-Processing, and Mass-Transport markets.

Key Stats:

• Order-book is down 8% against 2022
• Book to Bill remains just positive at 1:02
• Distribution now has a 54% share of total revenue.
• Some key markets showed more encouraging signs with both Mil/Aero and            Test&Measurement up 17% and Medical up 12%
• Declines of -23% to -34% in Communications and Broadcast, but Data-Processing showing a 27% increase Year-on-Year

Despite the market volatility, ITSA members have met their optimistic projection of a small growth for the year-end. However, they are more cautious about 2024, anticipating a flat overall market.

Download a full copy of the ITSA Report

The HEC’s target applications are plants in process industries, including chemical and non-contact food technology, conveyor systems, and machines in agriculture, construction, or mining and surface mining. To withstand the mechanical, chemical, and climatic impacts typical there, components of the 696 series – cable connectors and square panel mount parts – are also available with protective fittings. Thus, at the connector, the power interface meets the requirements of protection degree IP68 – and IP69K when mated. Thanks to the integrated sealing function, all wires placed in the protective fitting are protected according to IP67.

Background: protection degree as a measure of strength

According to the DIN EN 60529 and ISO 20653 standards, so-called IP codes (International Protection) indicate the resistance of connectors to environmental influences, which include in particular contact and the ingress of foreign particles and water. The protection degree of a connector is specified in terms of these IP codes, with the first digit referring to the ingress of solid particles such as dust and the second defining the protection degree against humidity and water.

The IP67 protection degree, as for the wires in the HEC’s protective fitting, represents protection against temporary submersion. IP69K indicates that the power connector itself is protected against exposure to water under high pressure. It is important to know that the protection degrees specified in connector data sheets generally apply only when the connector is mated.

Extraordinarily resilient

The 5- to 12-pin connectors are designed for rated voltages from 60 to 600 V and rated currents from 3 to 32 A. They work reliably at operating temperatures from -40 to +100 °C, are UV-, oil- and fuel-resistant as well as vibration-proof thanks to crimp connection. This non-detachable, solderless mechanical connection technology ensures a particularly tight fit of the wire to the terminating part of the contact. Cable parts measure 36 mm in diameter, panel mount parts 40 mm x 40 mm. The 696-series components are both VDE-approved and UL-approved. Their mechanical strength is clearly reflected in the lifespan of the connectors, which reaches more than 1000 mating cycles in cases of the 5- and 8-pin connectors, and more than 500 mating cycles with the 12-pin parts.

“There are many elements that affect revenue trends not least of which appears to be phasing of revenues versus orders, in the case of Comms, Data Processing and Broadcast our members enjoyed a very strong Q4 of 2022 and this is having some of the effect in the first haff of 2023, whilst the percentage variations of between -20% for Comms, -42% for Data Processing and -32% for Broadcast quarter on quarter for 2023 may look alarming the trend versus 2022 is far less dramatic and in the case of Data Processing our members have seen a +74% growth,” said John Biggs, ITSA’s Chairman.

“The other factors to bear in mind here are that there has been a very high spend in the Broadcast market over the past 12 months to catch up with lack of spend in the previous 2 years, but this is now levelling up as the festival season is now in full swing.

“For the Communication and Data Processing markets there has also been a very high spend level over the past 2-3 years as more and more people worked from home but this has not continued and in fact whilst there continues to be a high level of working from home we have seen that a majority of customers have moved to a more hybrid form of working and therefore more time is now being spent back in the offices.

“Lastly, these markets have enjoyed a high level of value-add business over the past 2-3 years, which has tended to be very project specific and currently these type of projects are much less.

One thing of note is that the three markets in question represent around 11% of the total revenues enjoyed by ITSA members and as such do not impact significantly on their overall revenue performance.

“ITSA members have seen a general slowdown in Q2 of 2023 and they expect this to continue as we head into the summer, despite this the association is still forecasting between 4-6% growth in 2023.”

ITSA members remain optimistic, despite a tough quarter for the order book.

ITSA’s latest report reveals that orders have dropped sharply from 2022 and the book-to-bill for the quarter was just positive.

Some key markets are showing more encouraging signs: medical +12%, mil/aero +9%, mass transport +9% and test & measurement +4% over Q1.

Distribution is down 12% over Q1, but still up 7% year-on-year.

Despite an ever changing and volatile market situation, ITSA members remain resilient, projecting an optimistic 4-6% growth for the year-end.

The full report can be found here: ITSA Report

Available in three sizes: XS, S, M (46, 68 and 96 mm in length), SPMAX connectors combine many contact sizes in a single connector, including #12, #16, #18, and #22 contacts. Furthermore, twenty-one different layout configurations are available, making SPMAX devices compatible with a variety of systems and equipment.

Compatible with EN4165 and ESA/ESCC-3401 requirements, the components are rated up to 35A per contact at 30°C temperature rise, making them capable of handling high power loads. Another standout feature is their integral blind mating capability, allowing for up to 2mm of offset. This makes the connectors easier to connect in tight spaces or in situations where visibility is limited.

SPMAX connectors are available with machined contacts in crimp, solder, or press-fit termination options, giving customers great flexibility. Hardware options include angle brackets, board locks, jackscrews, and a quick-locking system. In addition, SPMAX components offer sequential mating and selective loading, making them an ideal solution for demanding applications.

For further information please visit: https://www.powell.com/content/Positronic-3100042550

ODU and Genalog have worked together for over 20 years and now both companies feel that, given the recent supply-chain problems in the UK, they now have the opportunity to assist, by offering their combined core competencies to improve support to the market.

Specifically, they want to exploit ODU’s recent technical developments in the Mini-Snap & Medi-Snap product ranges, combining these with the long-standing full cable-assembly and value-added service from Genalog.

Genalog will be able to distribute FOC samples from the ODU product range and also offer full technical support.

Technical information is available from ODU’s vast on-line resources, including digital media and webinars – with further support by ODU and Genalog engineers making joint customer visits, to talk through and resolve any potential technical problems facing their clients.

ODU-UK Ltd    tel: 0330 002 0640    email: sales@odu-uk.co.uk       www.odu-uk.co.uk 

On the technical side, increased demands are also placed on medical devices. A medical device rarely stands and works on its own, it is connected to other systems and exchanges data. Important information must be available quickly, fail-safe and in a reliable manner. No matter how connected or technologically advanced medical devices are today, ease of use is a top priority. The risk of errors caused by misleading or ambiguous design elements must be avoided. Correct operation of the medical device is often a question of life and death, which is why it is so important that devices are safe, error-free and quick to operate.

ODU connectors meet many requirements, especially in the medical sector, where, for example, ODU MEDI-SNAP® plastic connectors are generally deployed. The space-saving product design enables high performance in the smallest installation space thanks to small housings, a high pole density and 90° variants. In order to reduce the risk of electric shock to a minimum, the ODU MEDI-SNAP® connectors are touch-protected and designed to fulfil the requirements for 2 MOPP and 2 MOOP in accordance with IEC 60601-1. The systems are available as push-pull or break‐away connectors to enable appropriate mating and de-mating depending on the application. Each connector can be mated to the correct socket thanks to its individual mechanical coding. The connectors are also available in up to seven different colors to further support safe and intuitive operation via visual mapping. The ODU MEDI-SNAP® connectors are available in sizes 1, 2 and 3.5 and are designed in the largest version for up to 41 signal contacts. They are flexible in application and easy to handle.

ODU connectors are designed for optimal ease of use while maximizing patient protection, allowing users to focus on what’s important: The patients.

Further information at www.odu-connectors.com/products/circular-connectors/odu-medi-snap

Manufactured to Neutrik’s superior quality standards the extremely robust and reliable connectors sit alongside the established 16A powerCON blue (power in) and grey (power out) connectors and the larger 32A locking power connectors. These series have different keying to avoid mis-mating between power-in and power-out and are available in TOP (Total Outdoor Protection) IP65 waterproof variants, making them suitable for applications including power connection, power distribution, hybrid power systems, electric motor management and medical equipment.
Key features include:
• IEC EN 60320-1 and cUL 60320-1 certified, thus accepted as a component for cord sets acc. to IEC 60799 respectively UL817 and equipment acc. to IEC 62368-1
• Pre-mating ground contact for safe connection.
• Power-in (blue) and power-out (grey) versions with different keying to avoid the possibility of inter-mating.
• Easy to assemble as strain relief locks with the insert mechanically and aligns with the housing.
• Ergonomic design with slip-proof two-compound molded housing for improved handling.
• Unique NEUTRIK locking bushing and strain relief for cable diameters 6 mm to 16 mm. “-S” variant 6 – 12 mm and “-L”: 10 – 16 mm.
• Easy and reliable twist lock system
• Improved kink protection by two-component bushing

The NAX3FXXA-W-* and NAC3FXXB-W-* are fully mating backwards-compatible with all existing NEUTRIK blue and grey (“non NAC3MPXX* series”) receptacles already in the marketplace.
Nick Wheeler, Sales Director of Lane Electronics, says, “Neutrik is the only supplier of fully 60320-1 compliant indoor and outdoor power connectors. The powerCON connector range has evolved from domestic appliances and now offers users quick-connect power connection with a latching device for secure supply of power. The connector is finger-proof and waterproof and will find many applications in power, industrial and medical systems.”
Lane Electronics is an ideal source for all key connector types including circular, filtered, RF, coaxial, sub – miniature, backshells and adaptors, D connectors, aerospace, test & measurement, IDC, PCB connectors, edge connectors and connectors for rack and panel applications.
With a multi-million-pound connector and piece-part stockholding and next-day delivery, Lane Electronics are the preferred source across many industry sectors including defence, motorsport, avionics, marine, communications, medical, test and measurement, general industrial and geophysical.

However, while sales have grown, both revenues and the book-to-bill ratio are flat.

Other key statistics include:

• Revenues are flat comparing YTD 2022 v YTD 2021.
• Importantly, revenues are still at +8% over pre-pandemic levels
• Book to Bill for the quarter was 1:1 but remains positive YTD
• All members key markets continue to show growth, but with some notable exceptions.

Distribution remains a major contributor – now well above pre-pandemic levels.    

Most UK markets continue to perform well with Communications, Data Processing, Broadcast, Utilities and Industrial leading the way, all with significant double-digit growth. Unfortunately, this is somewhat offset by decline in both the Mil/Aero and Mass Transport markets.

Whilst the UK connector market continues to face significant challenges, it remains remarkably resilient and as 2022 continues with positive trends in most markets, it will have been an exceptional year for ITSA members.