{"id":8511,"date":"2026-03-17T09:30:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T08:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.technologybsa.com\/?p=8511"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:14:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:14:32","slug":"no-more-cables-with-smc-ex600-w-your-factory-goes-wireless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.technologybsa.com\/en\/no-more-cables-with-smc-ex600-w-your-factory-goes-wireless\/","title":{"rendered":"No more cables: with SMC EX600-W your factory goes wireless"},"content":{"rendered":"

Industry 4.0 and wireless communication<\/h2>\n

It has been over ten years since the term <\/span>“Industry 4.0”<\/strong> <\/span>was first introduced at the Hannover Fair in 2011. Since then, the concept has established itself as the guiding paradigm in the digital transformation of the manufacturing sector, bringing with it new communication protocols \u2014 including EtherNet\/IP, RFID and Bluetooth \u2014 and a growing integration of smart technologies in production facilities.<\/p>\n

In this context, wireless serial communication<\/strong> <\/span>is becoming an essential element. Modern industrial networks share a common goal: reducing physical connections, simplifying maintenance and improving device monitoring on the factory floor.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

The most affected sectors include automotive assembly lines, electronic component manufacturing and any industrial process involving rotary tables or robotic systems \u2014 contexts in which cable routing has historically been one of the main operational bottlenecks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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The benefits of wireless systems are invaluable in industries that regularly use cable-connected control applications for communication systems.<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

Automation and productivity: a modern necessity<\/h2>\n

Since the second half of the 20th century, automated systems have become the backbone of manufacturing industries. Pneumatic rotary tables, Cartesian manipulators, industrial robots for welding and assembly: these technologies are today fundamental in automotive, electronics and many other sectors.<\/p>\n

Control systems and automated systems share two key requirements:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Increasing productivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Every minute of unplanned downtime has a direct impact on revenue. Operational continuity is a non-negotiable requirement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Communicating data effectively<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Without a reliable data flow between field devices and control systems, no automation can perform to its full potential.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Market data:<\/strong> According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in 2018 422,000 industrial robots<\/strong> were sold worldwide, exceeding McKinsey’s forecasts. Estimates pointed to a further increase of up to 630,000 units by 2021. Every new robot brings with it new cabling and interference management challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

Cables: types and challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In modern industrial environments, two main categories of cables are used for data transmission. Both offer significant advantages, but also have intrinsic limitations that become critical in high-dynamic applications.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>