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Connecting the next frontier in factory and industrial automation

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Advancing industrial automation. Connected solutions from 3M.

Today’s factories and distribution centers are increasingly lean and nimble, able to respond as fast as their markets. Automation systems help manufacturers and logistics firms operate more efficiently – saving on labor and maintenance, while improving throughput. A critical consideration: what connects these systems together. Collaborate with 3M to put the latest in emerging technology, backed by bench-to-bench support, behind your most well-connected machine automation systems.


Solutions for total facility automation

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It’s not enough that today’s automation systems work seamlessly as originally designed. Wired signals must flow in real time – even as configurations for functions like machine vision and motion control become more varied and complex, often very quickly in the field. 3M delivers connectors, cables and combined solutions to you for reliable and versatile machine automation in every part of your process.

Machine vision interconnect

  • Image of Industrial cable family.

    Industrial cables for machine vision

    Next-generation machine vision cameras and systems are integral to modern automation, providing clarity and enabling real-time responses as valuable product moves through the facility.

    Robust cables with application-specific component assemblies help maximize critical machine vision for assembly lines, pick-and-place operations, visual inspection, automated guided vehicles and more.

    3M cable assemblies support major vision standards in industries such as Camera Link, USB3 Vision® and CoaXPress.

Featured industrial cables for machine vision

Signal/Power IDC Connectors

  • 3M Signal/Power IDC Connector with multiple wires, showcasing efficient electrical design

    Signal/Power IDC Connectors

    You strive to reduce size, add power and optimize electrical designs – we’ll help you increase efficiency, keeping them cost-effective to install and maintain. 3M connectors feature Insulation Displacement Contact (IDC), a termination method that simplifies connectivity for signal, power, branching and splicing. IDC was invented by 3M in 1961. It can dramatically save wiring time – it eliminates the need for wire stripping and individual crimping.

    IDC connectors allow technicians to terminate multiple wires simultaneously. That means fast field installation, maintenance and upgrades. You can make more connections in smaller spaces. Convert from parallel to serial connectivity, install branch networks, and add small devices such as sensors without additional signal and power lines. Streamline field maintenance. Pack in more features and intelligence system-wide.

Featured IDC connectors:

Motion control connectors

  • Various motion control connectors on a white background.

    Motion control connectors

    The challenges of motion control – proper shielding and grounding, compatibility, efficient termination and of course durable, reliable connections – meet more than three decades of experience in factory automation.

    As a supplier of choice for some of the world’s leading servo motor manufacturers, 3M delivers a broad range of MDR, SCR and IEEE-compatible connectors, shell kits and accessories for rigorous factory environments. This selection of boardmount and wiremount connectors helps engineers meet or exceed the standards required for quickly evolving motion control applications.

Featured motion control connectors

Cables and connectors

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    Cables and connectors

    You can think of your cables, connectors and hardware as a high-speed digital data transmission system at the core of any factory or industrial automation solution. 3M offers robust, reliable interconnect systems for machine vision, motion control signaling, inter-cabinet signal transmission and other critical functions of automated industrial machines.

    You can specify complete cable assemblies in base-medium and full configurations using Mini Delta Ribbon (MDR) and Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) connectivity, including a wide variation of shielded SMT and through-hole boardmount connectors. A wide range of components and accessories includes sockets, plugs, junction shells, locking screws and more.

    Our selection of round and flat cables includes Shielded Compact Ribbon cable for connected power, speed and clarity in a variety of factory automation applications.

Featured cables and connectors

3M™ Mini-Clamp III Plug 37A Series and 3M™ Mini-Clamp III Socket 37B Series on a blue to light blue gradient background
Small. Simple. Secure. 3M™ Mini-Clamp III.

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The bench-to-bench advantage

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    A supplier you can depend on for materials and support.

    When you choose 3M factory automation solutions, you get more than just components you can trust. Our team of application engineers will work with you every step of the way, guiding your deployment and helping you get the most from our solutions. Our “bench-to-bench” collaboration means our experts become part of your team, and the insights we gain by working together help guide the continuous improvements that set 3M solutions apart.

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