WIWAV Industrial Ethernet Switches Power a High-Accuracy Electromechanical Factory in Shenzhen
Shenzhen has long been recognized as one of China’s most dynamic manufacturing hubs. Behind the city’s reputation for speed and innovation lies a growing number of high-precision electromechanical manufacturers, supplying components for automation equipment, robotics, and advanced industrial systems worldwide.
One such manufacturer—specializing in precision metal parts and electromechanical assemblies—faced a challenge familiar to many modern factories:
how to build a stable, interference-resistant industrial network that could keep pace with increasingly automated production lines, without compromising reliability in a harsh shop-floor environment.
The Challenge: High Precision, High Interference, Zero Tolerance for Downtime
Inside the factory, CNC machining centers, automated assembly lines, inspection systems, and industrial cameras operate simultaneously. These systems generate continuous data streams that must be exchanged reliably between PLCs, HMIs, industrial PCs, and quality-control servers.
However, the production environment presented several constraints:
-
Strong electromagnetic interference caused by motors, welding equipment, and high-power machinery
-
Dense equipment layouts requiring compact networking devices
-
24/7 operation, where even brief network instability could interrupt production or affect measurement accuracy
-
Wide temperature variations across different production zones
-
A need for long-term stability, not frequent hardware replacement
Commercial-grade switches previously used in non-critical areas proved inadequate once automation density increased. Packet loss, unexpected reboots, and sensitivity to interference began to surface—issues unacceptable in a precision manufacturing environment.
The Solution: Industrial-Grade Networking Built for the Factory Floor
After evaluating multiple industrial networking options, the manufacturer selected WIWAV industrial Ethernet switches to upgrade its core production network.
WIWAV’s solution was designed around distributed industrial switching, installed directly inside control cabinets and near production equipment. Key switch models from WIWAV’s DIN-rail industrial series were deployed to handle:
-
Real-time data exchange between PLC and HMI systems
-
High-resolution image transmission from industrial cameras
-
Reliable uplinks to factory servers and MES systems via fiber and Gigabit Ethernet
-
Redundant power inputs to ensure continuous operation
The switches’ fanless, all-metal industrial design allowed them to operate reliably in dusty, vibration-prone environments, while their compact footprint simplified cabinet integration.
Why WIWAV: Designed for Industrial Reality, Not Office Assumptions
Several factors influenced the customer’s final decision.
Industrial-grade reliability
WIWAV switches are designed for -40°C to +85°C operating temperatures and have passed rigorous vibration, shock, and EMC testing. In this factory, where electrical noise is unavoidable, strong electromagnetic immunity proved critical for maintaining stable communication.
Seamless integration with automation systems
Support for Modbus TCP and standard industrial Ethernet protocols enabled smooth communication across PLCs, HMIs, and supervisory systems without additional gateways or complex configuration.
Compact DIN-rail mounting
The small, rugged form factor allowed switches to be mounted directly inside control cabinets, close to machines—reducing cable length, signal loss, and installation complexity.
Long service life
With an average MTBF of 357,000 hours, the switches aligned with the customer’s expectation of long-term, maintenance-free operation—an important factor in cost-sensitive but quality-driven manufacturing.
Certified for global compliance
WIWAV industrial switches carry UL, cUL, CE, FCC, RoHS, and REACH certifications, giving the manufacturer confidence not only in safety and quality, but also in compliance for globally exported equipment.
Deployment Results: Stability That Engineers Can Trust
Following deployment, the factory reported clear improvements:
-
Stable, uninterrupted communication across production lines
-
Reduced network-related alarms and downtime
-
Improved synchronization between machines and monitoring systems
-
Simplified network expansion as new production cells were added
-
Lower long-term maintenance costs compared to commercial-grade devices
For production engineers, the most important result was simple:
the network became something they no longer had to worry about.
Supporting Smart Manufacturing, One Connection at a Time
As manufacturers continue moving toward higher automation, finer tolerances, and smarter factories, industrial communication infrastructure becomes just as critical as the machines themselves.
This Shenzhen electromechanical manufacturer’s experience reflects a broader trend:
industrial networks must be designed for industrial realities, not adapted from office IT assumptions.
WIWAV continues to support manufacturers worldwide with reliable, certified industrial Ethernet solutions, helping factories build networks that are as precise, resilient, and dependable as the products they produce.