New M8 12-Pin connector for demanding industrial applications

The circular connector offers significant advantages, particularly in terms of miniaturisation, flexibility, and performance.

Modern machines and automation systems are becoming smaller and more powerful. To design devices efficiently, all components, including connectors, must take up as little space as possible. The industry's demands for compact connectors are driven by several factors, including: space savings, higher packing density, flexibility, modularity, cost efficiency, improved performance and reliability, user-friendliness and ergonomics.

Space-saving and continuous plug compatibility

"The future of automation lies, among other things, in miniaturisation, for which we are already very well positioned with our portfolio of smaller sizes such as M5 and M8. One of the advantages of M8 is that it requires 20% less space for adjacent connectors compared to the next larger series," explains Guido Werner, Product Manager at binder.

The new edition of the design specification for M8 circular connectors with screw or snap-in locking DIN EN 61076-2-104 also includes the C-coding. "This lays the foundation for continuous plug compatibility in the connector market. New possibilities in signal transmission arise for M8," says Guido Werner.

Despite the high number of contacts, the M8 12-pin circular connector remains compact, making it ideal for applications with limited space. The high contact density allows for versatile use in a wide range of industrial applications. With IP67 protection, it is well-suited for harsh industrial environments. The support of C-coding and adaptability to future standards and requirements make it a future-proof solution.

Customer demand was the initial spark – and challenge

The development of the M8 12-pin circular connector was initiated by specific customer requirements. A major customer demanded a new generation of length measurement systems that can transmit more than eight signals without increasing the compact size of the M8 circular connector.

"The development of the M8 12-pin connector posed several technical challenges for our design and development team. One of the biggest tasks was to fit 12 pins on the compact M8 connector face. This was achieved through a symmetrical arrangement of the contacts and the introduction of five small coding steps. This solution enables secure polarisation and protects the sensitive contacts from damage. In production, manual pre-assembly requires a delicate touch. Ultimately, through trained personnel and the use of colour templates for precise placement of the wires, we successfully mastered all challenges," explains Guido Werner.

Already successfully used in various applications

The M8 12-pin circular connector is now a logical addition to the binder standard product portfolio. M8 12-pin connectors are already being used in length measurement systems by leading manufacturers and in laboratory automation for environmental analytics. M8 12-pin connectors are also integrated into industrial cameras from well-known manufacturers.