Spotlight on panel innovations at MachineBuilding.South

Any panel design starts, of course, with the panel itself, and Rittal (Stand 3) is perfectly placed to provide quality end-to-end solutions to machine builders and OEMs. With resilience and sustainability as top priorities, use Rittal's expertise to ensure important machinery controls are housed in secure enclosures and operate at optimum performance with reliable power and energy efficient climate control.

Combined with Rittal's easy-to-use configurators, links to Eplan(Stand 3) electrical design software and automation machinery, Rittal is ready MachineBuilding.South to discuss your automation and digitalisation journey.

What about the components within the panel? Phoenix Contact (Stand 43) has extended its XT product range to include terminal blocks with a nominal cross-section of 4 mm2. This enables consistent, tool-free wiring for conductor cross-sections from 0.34 to 25 mm2. The new feed-through terminal blocks have all the advantages of the innovative Push-X technology: They enable the wiring of all conductor types, whether rigid or flexible, even without ferrules.

The factory pre-tensioned contact spring ensures ease of use and makes connecting particularly easy. The clear visual and acoustic identification of the conductor connection ensures additional safety and clear handling. The orange actuating push button allows for easy release of the conductor and pre-tensioning of the spring.

With a nominal current of 32 A and a nominal voltage of 500 V, the XT 4 terminal blocks are ideal for manual and automated wiring processes. Phoenix Contact therefore provides a complete solution for wiring different conductor cross-sections - quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Talk as well to Charter Controls (Stand 16), which has added Connectwell DIN Rail Terminals to its portfolio. As the exclusive UK agent, Charter Controls now offers next-day delivery from UK stock on Connectwell's acclaimed CP and CY terminal block ranges, alongside the CLM011 Laser Tag Printer. Featured product ranges now available include:

CP Push-In Terminal Blocks - A tool-free, spring-loaded connection system designed for rapid, fatigue-free wiring. Ideal for modern assembly lines demanding speed, simplicity, and safety.

CY Screw-Type Terminal Blocks - Globally trusted for rugged industrial environments, the CY series offers vibration-proof, secure screw-type connections that are perfect for heavy-duty and harsh-condition panels.

Connectwell CLM011 Laser Marking Printer - Precision terminal marking redefined. The CLM011 ensures fast, clear, and permanent labelling using laser technology, enabling clean and legible terminal tags for high-spec control systems.

For its part, Finder (Stand 116) reports that its "hockey puck" style Solid State Relays are designed to meet the challenges of modern automation applications with high switching frequencies. The 77 Series SSR relays ensure a virtually unlimited electrical life and the total absence of electric arcs or bouncing.

These devices are the ideal solution for managing resistive loads (such as industrial heaters), solenoid and motor loads, and lighting systems with high inrush currents

Finder 77 Series hockey puck SSR relays are available in three main types: single phase, with rated current from 25 A to 125 A, voltage up to 660 V AC - models with flip-up terminal covers; dual phase configuration, with rated current from 25 A to 75 A, two independent channels (random switching); and three phase configuration, with rated current from 25 to 80 A, random switching, optimised for fast motor control. Depending on the model, you can choose between Zero-crossing or Random mode.

Of course, panel real-estate is always at a premium, and the argument for decentralisation is growing. Beyond even that, though, Beckhoff(Stand 100) highlights its MX-System, a modular, pluggable automation platform that replaces the traditional control cabinet. Integrating IPC, I/O, drive technology and system components into a robust baseplate, the MX-System mounts directly onto the machine frame. For machine builders, this reduces panel build time, simplifies installation and supports modular machine concepts.

The MX-System performs all of the tasks and exhibits the properties of a classic control cabinet, but requires far less time to implement, test and commission. Beckhoff argues that, by eliminating control cabinets and building on the advantages of decentralised automation, the MX-System enables scalability and flexibility, and brings increased efficiency and cost savings.