Smart cobots are widely used in industrial automation. In order to achieve motion control, sensor feedback, data communication, safety protection and power supply, the following types of cables are usually required:
1. Power Cables
- Used to power the cobot body, motor, and end effector (such as grippers and suction cups).
- Highly flexible power cables (such as drag chain cables)
- DC/AC power input cables (24V DC, 220V AC, etc.)
- Common brands: Lapp, igus, Helukabel, Phoenix Contact
2. Signal Cables
- Used to transmit control signals and status signals to ensure accurate robot movements.
- Servo motor encoder feedback cable
- I/O signal cables (for example, for connecting limit switches, photoelectric sensors, etc.)
- Mostly shielded cables to avoid interference
3. Communication Cables
- Collaborative robots usually integrate industrial communication interfaces to interact with controllers or other devices.
- Ethernet Cat5e/Cat6a/Cat7 industrial network cables (such as EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP)
- Common interfaces: M12 X-coding, RJ45, ix Industrial
- Serial communication cables (RS232/RS485), for old devices or sensors
- USB/HDMI cables (for debugging or visual systems)
4. Tool/EOAT Cables
- Connect robot end tools (End-of-Arm Tooling), such as electric grippers, suction cups, and visual modules.
- Mini I/O, M8/M12 cable
- Tracheal cable combination cable (electrical + pneumatic hybrid)
5. Safety system cables
- Used for emergency stop buttons, safety light curtains, laser radars and other safety devices.
- Most of them are multi-core control cables with color distinction or coding
- Standards such as SIL2, SIL3 (functional safety)
6. Machine vision cables (if integrated vision system is required)
- Collaborative robots are often used with cameras for detection, identification and other tasks:
- GigE Vision, USB 3.0, CoaXPress, Camera Link and other cables
- Power + signal integrated cables are commonly used
7. Modular connector + drag chain cable system
- For easy wiring and maintenance, commonly used:
- Modular connector system (such as Harting Han-Modular, Stäubli, Schunk quick-change module)
- Highly flexible drag chain cable system (suitable for repeated bending)
