Industry and production are facing an era of profound change driven by technological innovations, sustainability requirements and the need for greater flexibility and resilience. Developments towards smart factories, additive manufacturing, the use of artificial intelligence and the construction of energy-efficient production facilities

have one thing in common: they all need connectivity solutions that can withstand these developments and drive them forward. Without their literal lifelines, these industries and their future developments would not exist.

Trend topics in the LAPP futureLab

Accordingly, LAPP will be setting the pace at SPS 2024, which trade fair visitors should keep an eye on: The leading provider of integrated solutions and branded products in the field of cable and connection technology will be showcasing prototypes of sustainable EPIC® brand connectors in its futureLab. They expand the sustainable portfolio of LAPP, which launched its first series product, an ETHERLINE® data cable with bio-based jacket material, in previous years. Visitors can also find out how LAPP calculates the carbon footprint of its products and what benefits customers can derive from this or where the trend topic of additive manufacturing is already being used. Experts from LAPP’s in-house think tank will be on hand to advise visitors on all three days of the trade fair and to discuss all aspects of the futureLab. The exchange of ideas is also important for LAPP in order to obtain impulses for the further development and progress of the projects at an early stage.

When it comes to the future topic of sustainability, direct current technology is also a must, for which LAPP offers a comprehensive portfolio of connection solutions. More and more industrial halls and production facilities are being converted to direct current (DC) because it offers a decisive advantage: higher energy efficiency with simplified integration of renewable energies. Visitors to the LAPP stand can find out about the effects of DC on cables and wires, how high the cost and CO2 emission savings are and how a factory-internal DC network can be implemented.

For seamless communication between field and control level

New to the stand this year are solutions for remote I/O systems from LAPP. They enable the decentralised connection of sensors and actuators to a central control unit by ensuring seamless communication in both directions between the field level and the control level. LAPP is bringing numerous new components to the PLC, including various versions of LAPP’s UNITRONIC® components with wide temperature ranges, resistance to welding spatter, high degrees of protection against dust and high-pressure cleaning (IP 67 and IP 69K) and other features that make them particularly suitable for use in advanced systems for decentralised automation in industrial environments. Thanks to their modular design and standardised interfaces, all modules are easy to commission and replace, saving users time and money.

Of course, solutions for industrial communication should not be missing at the SPS. In this area, the company is not only exhibiting components for the various areas of the automation pyramid this year, but also its proven fibre optic cable portfolio. At the workbench on the exhibition stand, interested visitors can assemble a fibre optic cable "in the field" themselves in just a few seconds using the LAPP Fibre Fast Connect (FFC) system. LAPP experts will also provide advice on Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and Advanced Physical Layer (APL) as well as the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of components.

The connection specialist will also be demonstrating its comprehensive expertise at this year’s trade fair stand in the LAPP Harnessing Solutions area with its tried-and-tested assemblies. Here, the company scores with servo assemblies to industry standards, customised cable assemblies and complex system solutions. The solutions are complemented by numerous services that optimally support customers throughout their entire production process.

Experience and get to know LAPP

The new application model on the LAPP trade fair stand vividly illustrates where LAPP’s product portfolio brings life to industries and applications and how essential connection solutions are. Visitors who want to get to know LAPP even better can use the HR Corner to talk to LAPP Recruiting for the first time at SPS and apply directly for open positions.