Three questions for... David Wetzel

Opinion

31.10.2019, 14:46

Three questions for... David Wetzel

Plugging and connecting. What is important for reliable cable routing and where are developments heading? The handling editorial team asked David Wetzel, Product Manager at Icotek, about this.

David Wetzel, Product Manager, Icotek. © Icotek

As networking increases, so does the number of cable connections. However, reliable cable routing is just as important. What must the user pay attention to?
Simple installation, compliance with required standards and protection classes and proof of this through test certificates. If certifications are not provided, acceptance by the end customer will be problematic. This applies in particular to exports to the USA. There, the UL listing but also the protection class test according to Nema or Type Rating must often be verified. Icotek has had a large number of products tested and certified according to type rating. After all, the requirements for cable glands and cable entries are always the same: easy handling, quick assembly and disassembly as well as protective and secure properties against external influences. Ideally certified.

To what extent does digitalization play a role for you, what does the digital future look like at Icotek?
In the course of digitalization, we have been offering our customers an assembly configurator at http://www.icotek.com since September. This online configurator is intuitive to use and simulates a wide range of configurations in order to subsequently create a finished product. We also offer our customers a CAD service that integrates our cable entries into the design right from the start. (For example via Traceparts or Cadenas.)

What developments are coming up in the near future, what trends do you see?
In the past, we have repeatedly demonstrated how forward-looking the Icotek Group is. Of course, it is very important for us to develop in the right direction. Close communication with the customer provides important impetus here. By exchanging ideas with our customers, we were and are always well prepared for both increasing and future market requirements. Of course, the KVT-ER series (the first separable cable gland sealed up to IP68) and the EMC-KEL (cable entry with EMC shielding) have been outstanding recent developments. With these products, we have taken another step in the right direction. The EMC-KEL is a separable cable entry that not only reliably shields against shield-bound interference, but also against field-bound interference. This aspect, for example, will become even more important in the future. The IMAS Connect system is the next milestone for Icotek. Here we have developed a modular tulle system. By using the associated AT-KS grommet, connectors are integrated directly into the cable entry, HDMI USB, RJ45 and around 70 other keystone modules. We are well positioned for the future. We will be presenting another innovation in November. Let us surprise you.

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