We explore the many network technologies that evolve day by day and incorporate these technologies into our products. When devices are connected to a network, they can monitor each other’s status using signals and operate in a coordinated manner. In recent years, it has become possible to communicate this information, and even to analyze and make use of it to improve productivity. On the other hand, the wiring used to carry these signals has been attached across equipment, placing such a burden on workers in the field that the labor costs are said to be higher than the price of the equipment. Despite the growing demand for wireless communication, it was considered difficult to use wireless communication for control applications because interference between radio waves used throughout plants could cause unstable communication and lead to production-related problems. This was why CKD decided to launch our development with a first priority of “ensuring the reliability of wireless communications” and to pursue an "easy-to-use standard” that eliminated as many restrictive factors as possible for our customers.

We also realized that by taking advantage of wireless communication we could expand applications to places where there has been a high risk of wiring breaks. The concept is a small and light “business-card sized” housing, designed to be directly mounted onto a robot or other device with rapid rotational movements. The substrate design was devised so that communication is not disturbed even when the mounting posture changes. We have received positive feedback from sites where the system has actually been installed, including: “The installation and replacement of cylinder switches has been greatly improved”, and “The communication is really stable, and we plan to expand our use of this equipment in the future”. What’s more, customers who have yet to introduce the system have expressed strong interest, saying they would definitely like to use it at their own plants because of its compact form and the reduction in wiring.

CKD has handled many different types of industrial networks in the past, but this was the first time we had developed wireless communication devices for use in control applications that are directly related to equipment operation, rather than for general monitoring purposes. When we started out, we could not even capture wireless signals from conventional measuring instruments. We visited our seniors and experts outside the company to learn, actually build, and test the equipment repeatedly. We even submerged the equipment underwater to see if wireless signals could really be received underwater. Through these experiences, we realized that it is difficult for an individual or a single company alone to incorporate new technologies. By building and expanding positive partnerships, not only in Japan but also throughout the world, we will continue to explore and co-create innovative technologies and deliver products that inspire our customers.