Weidmuller’s Engineering Services Offer Custom PLC Interfaces

Weidmuller has announced the beginning of a new product and service to increase PLC deployment speed. They will now build custom PLC interface modules that can be deployed in virtually any industry. The idea behind this service is best outlined by Josh Froustet, Weidmuller’s Director of Device and Field Connectivity Division. He says, “If a company’s application requires a specific form factor, Weidmuller can design and deliver a fully customizable module that interfaces directly with all PLCs at a business.”

Custom PLC Interface Design

Consider the hodge-podge of control systems that make up the modern manufacturing facility. Often, systems are expanded using a bottom-up approach, where one machine at a time becomes automated with whatever system is available, affordable, or familiar to the technical staff on site. Over time, this becomes a mess of interfaces, cabling, and controllers, perhaps spanning multiple manufacturers and eras. It becomes a nightmare to troubleshoot and almost impossible to upgrade or maintain.

A custom PLC interface board designed by Weidmuller. Image used courtesy of Weidmuller

This is where Weidmuller has an advantage. They can build custom interfaces to simplify the connectivity between these devices. Because it is a custom solution, it will be tailored for the individual manufacturing facility, right down to the cabinet, footprint, and whether or not it is DIN rail mountable.

The primary advantages of a custom PLC interface are improved connectivity, space savings, time savings, and system flexibility. Weidmuller offers many connectors across multiple manufacturers and eras, from legacy controllers to modern systems. Because these connectors can be built into the same interface box, physical space in the control cabinet is reduced. Wiring can be simplified without requiring multiple interfaces, adaptors, and modules, saving time as well. Finally, because this is an engineering service, it is fully customizable to a particular site, yielding ultimate flexibility in what is possible with PLCs.

Based in the United States, custom solutions can be designed and implemented affordably. The development, quality control, assembly, and warehousing of components are all domestic, meaning there is little risk of shipping delays, expensive travel overhead, or other problems that can arise with similar offerings from international companies.

Cable Management

Weidmuller has made a niche for itself in simplifying industrial control installation and maintenance, and the latest offering is in line with other brand offerings. Its engineering services have created cable management solutions to help “tame” the mess of cables often associated with a bottom-up automation approach to system design. Rather than having a tangle of wires and praying nothing gets disconnected, it develops custom wiring harnesses to transfer power and information to the necessary locations.

Weidmuller can turn a cabling mess from a roaring lion into a tame kitten. Image used courtesy of Weidmuller [Video]

Potential Markets

While virtually any industry can benefit from Weidmuller’s engineering services, the obvious potential markets are for growing industries. In these industries, where new automation systems are installed piecemeal and implemented next to and on top of existing automation systems, cabling, interfacing, and troubleshooting becomes exponentially more difficult. With custom PLC interface modules designed specifically for a particular client, the hassle can be mitigated.