Molex Launches a New Line of Extra Rugged Sealed Circular Connectors
June 2008—Molex Inc. announces a new line of sealed circular connectors. Extra Rugged Circular (XRC) Sealed Plugs and Receptacles have been developed to meet the demanding requirements of the heavy-equipment industry. With a standard 18-size shell, these rugged, circular connectors are ideal for heavy-duty applications such as trucks, buses, and agricultural markets.

Designed to meet IP67 standards, XRC plugs and receptacles protect against the ingress of dust, water, and other contaminants to maintain the integrity of the mated pair. Plugs feature a quick-disconnect bayonet latch to provide quick and easy connections with reduced installation and service time, while ensuring accurate mating depth.

The XRC features a grommet retainer with a lip for compatibility with back shell and over-molded applications. A large polarizing key indicator aids in visual alignment to facilitate easier mating. The simple crimp-and-poke technology does not require terminal alignment when installing crimped wires, while enlarged imprinting on the wire seals clearly identifies each circuit, making installation and field servicing fast and easy.

For maximum design flexibility, XRC plugs and receptacles are available in standard and reverse gender. These connectors can be used for in-line or panel-mount applications. Additional circuits and shell sizes will eventually be released to expand the XRC product offering.

To learn more about the XRC line, visit www.molex.com/link/xrc.html.

Samtec Adds New Rugged, Power and I/O Interconnect Products
 July 2008—Samtec has added new rugged interface products, including PowerStrip/35 high-power interconnects, AccliMate and LifeJack I/O interfaces, and the Tiger Eye micro rugged discrete wire system, to its standard product offering.

PowerStrip/35 high-power connector strips (PES/PET Series) can handle up to 35 amps and are available as an all-power interface, or as a combination signal/power system (PESC/PETC Series) with up to eight power pins and 40 signal pins.

AccliMate IP68 sealed circular (SCRX/SCPX Series) panel and I/O interfaces are now available for use in power, micro pin-and-socket, USB, and Ethernet applications. They can be terminated to the board with a variety of standard rugged interfaces, including Power Mate and Mini Mate connectors. Samtec’s unique LifeJack (MDOS-LJ Series) can provide nearly unlimited RJ45 modular jack cycles with a field-replaceable contact system.

Tiger Eye discrete wire system (SFSD/TFSD Series) is the ultimate in rugged micro board-to-board interconnects. This discrete wire system mates with Samtec’s popular SFM/TFM Tiger Eye connectors for high-cycle applications.

For more information, visit www.samtec.com.

ITT Develops Long-Life, High-Temp RF Connector System
 July 2008—ITT Interconnect Solutions has developed a coaxial RF connector in addition to 12 phase-matched RF cable assemblies. The connector system features a press-fit contact suitable for operation to 250°C for a lifespan of 25 years.

“The component was developed to meet a customer requirement for an RF connector with a pin contact compliant with the customer’s equipment, along with the extended operating temperature,” said Keith Teichmann, director of marketing for ITT Interconnect Solutions.

“Since many applications only reach 200°C, we offer the RF cable assemblies with two dielectric materials to best meet customer’s specification and cost requirements.”

For operation up to 250°C, a cable assembly with a silicone dioxide dielectric is specified, while those applications with a temperature range to 200°C can employ the cable assembly with PTFE dielectric.

The semi-rigid cable sets are phase-matched to plus or minus two degrees at 3GHz, maintained over a range of temperatures to 200°C and 250°C (depending on cable assembly).

The RF connector sets are specified for use in military and industrial applications where reliable performance at high temperatures for prolonged periods is required.

Typical pricing for the high-temperature coaxial connector ranges from $80 to $150 in quantities of 500. Pricing for the 200°C cable assembly is approximately $300 for an 8-foot length.

For more information, visit www.ittcannon.com.

Souriau Overmolded Connector for Field Application
 July 2008—The Souriau 8XE range is designed for geophysical, oceanographic, and military applications necessitating cable deployment in outdoor environments (shelters, operating theatres, geophones, and mobile laboratories). Features include high-impact resistance and ergonomic overmolded locking rings. With an IP68 protection rating, the 8XE range is fully compatible with Mil-C-26482 connectors from Souriau or other brands.

The 8XE range is a result of the extensive design work Souriau has done with Mil-C-26482 bayonet connectors for severe environments. The contacts are bonded in a neoprene insulator, which is inserted in a metal shell made of aluminium or stainless steel. The metal locking ring is overmolded with a high-strength fiberglass-reinforced polymer, and the same material is used for the backshell. The result is a connector with particularly high-impact resistance, which can withstand the weight of a heavy vehicle without sustaining damage. Two specific devices also protect the cable. First, a plastic ring, also known as a strain reliever, located inside the backshell, acts as a take-up mechanism for the inner reinforcement of the cable (Kevlar wire) and avoids the risk of tearing or breakage. Second, an elastomer rear sleeve retains the cable and avoids damage through contact with the backshell. The cable is held and protected even in the case of strong traction or tight bends.

The molded-ring locking mechanism is particularly ergonomic, a one-third turn bayonet coupling system with a tactile and audible click ensuring the right connection.

The 8XE connectors have an IP68 protection rating. Stable performance is possible, even when immersed at a depth of 15 meters for 120 hours. Sealing is accomplished first by a coupling seal compressed with the receptacle, then by O-rings at the rear of the backshell, and finally by the compression exerted on the cable by the elastomer sleeve. An elastomer plug is also provided for sealing when the connector is not mated. They also have 500-hour resistance to salt spray and a working temperature range from –55°C to 125°C.

There are more than 30 models in the 8XE range, with seven shell sizes from 10 to 22, and have up to 55 contacts. They are all compatible and intermatable with Mil-C-26482 connectors. They are guaranteed for 500 mating/unmating cycles, and can be used for transmission of signals or power up to 13 amps DC.

For more information, visit www.souriau.com.

Binder Shieldable M8 Angled Connectors with Solder Termination
 July 2008—Binder-USA announces the addition of a shielded M8 right-angle connector for industrial applications in limited spaces. The new Series 768 connector features a robust metal shell with IP67 rating for harsh environments. The internal 360-degree shielding ring provides EMI protection in industrial and automation applications.

Male and female connectors are available with three or four solder contacts with up to 4 amps current load. The cable outlet allows a cable diameter of 3.5 to 5mm. Pricing is $10.24 each at 100 pieces.

For more information, visit www.binder-usa.com.

Amphenol 451/PT Connector Range is Revised
July 2008—The standard for severe environments, the 451/PT connectors are an economical alternative for applications in which reliability is essential, such as military, oil, instrumentation, automatic control, telecommunication, or railway infrastructures. Amphenol offers a high level of service, with a special industrial department for custom design and the availability of an online configuration application, www.451-connectors.com. The new series incorporates the exclusive SNAP-CAP technique, which protects the receptacle when the male connector is not present.

The large number of options of the 451/PT series enable this series to work in many applications. Nine shell sizes are available, with over 35 pin arrangements, and up to 61 pins per connector. Versions for wire soldering, crimping and insertion on PCBs are available. Various surface treatments can be specified: chemical nickel plating, white or olive green cadmium plating, and black anodization. The 451/PT series can carry currents up to 13 amps.

Amphenol has also set up a service to supply custom housings, machined to meet the specific requirements of its customers.

The exclusive SNAP-CAP feature on the 451/PT series is an automatic-closure cap that, in combination with a PT/451 square-collar receptacle, protects the system from dust and water spray. Its specific characteristic is a flap that closes automatically on the upper part of the receptacle when the plug is removed. This cap is now available in four sizes: 8, 10, 12, and 18.

The 451/PT connector has excellent resistance to severe environments. Resistance factors include sealed (IP66/67), airtight, shielded, withstanding a wide range of fluids, resistant to impacts and vibrations, and operational from –55°C to 125°C.

The 451/PT connector has many applications including: instrumentation, battlefield communications (C4ISR), geophysics (oil exploration and seismic surveys), machine-tools, automatic controls, telecom infrastructures, and railways.

For more information, visit www.amphenol-industrial.com.

Compel Electronics Presents Coaxial Connectors with Solderless System
 June 2008—Compel Electronics SpA has recently added to its right-angled coaxial connectors range with a solderless system.

This system is new to the market and has the advantage of making the connection of the central conductor of a coaxial cable to the central contact of a right-angled connector possible by means of just a mechanical operation, completely eliminating any soldering.

The system is used on coaxial connectors belonging to the 1.0/2.3 series. The assembly of these connectors involves the following phases: stripping of the cable, insertion of the cable into the connector, crimping of the external contact, soldering of the central conductor, and closing of the cap. The new solderless system involves the same phases, with the exclusion of the soldering of the central conductor of the cable.

The main advantages are:

·         Quicker assembly of the connector to the coaxial cable: the soldering phase is completely eliminated and this phase, compared to the other phases involved, is the most expensive and complicated.

·         Uniformity of the result: soldering requires training and the staff who carry it out must have experience. Even with experienced technicians, non-uniform solder joints occur frequently. The greatest danger is having cold solder joints or short circuits if there are solder joints that are thick or that have not been carried out perfectly.

·         Simplification of the assembly: the connection of the cable takes place by the simple operation of screwing on the special cap, an operation that does not depend on the ability of the installer.

·         Ease of the installation: the assembly of the connectors to the coaxial cable often takes place on-site in uncomfortable or limited spaces. The solderless system means installers can operate calmly in awkward situations.

·         Simplification of the assembly tools: by eliminating the soldering process, the need for certain tools is eliminated (soldering irons, soldering pastes and wires, filtering hoods, workbenches with relative sources of electric energy). In addition, over the last few years, European directives prohibit the use of some soldering alloys that are considered dangerous: The  lead-free substitution are making the soldering process more difficult.

·         Retention of stripping and crimping tools: when putting into practice the “solderless” system, we kept the cable-stripping process unaltered so that the same tools can be used as those for solder types. Also the braid crimping has remained unaltered and it is possible to use the same crimping tools without any modification or addition.

The solderless system is patent-pending.

For more information, visit www.compel.it.

ODU Fluid Coupling Module Expands MAC Series
 July 2008—The contact inserts for the ODU modular attachable rectangular connectors (MAC series) from ODU include not only modules for transmitting current and power, but also ones for transmitting fluids. A two-position fluid module joins the product series.

 



The new module's features:

·         Suitable for conducting air, water, and other fluids

·         Both sides can be blocked off

·         Low leakage

·         Up to 15,000 mating cycles

·         Can be mounted in aluminum frames or frames for DIN housing

·         Total insertion force (mean value): 25 N/module

·         Insertion force for compressed air valve: 12 N

·         Permissible operating pressure: Max. 6 bar

An M5 female thread on the connection side allows attachment of standard male couplers or quick-release couplers. Due to its modular design, it is often possible to combine many individual connectors in just a single ODU MAC.

For more information, visit www.odu.de.

JST Introduces ZE Series with Secure Locking Device for Hi-Density Wire-to-Board
July 2008—The new ZE Series wire-to-board crimp-style connector recently introduced by JST Corp., was designed with a secure locking device to ensure connector mating integrity even under adverse conditions. These SMT and through-hole connectors are polarized and have a positive locking feature when mating to headers, including an audible click/tactile feedback when mated. The uniquely constructed contact is easily inserted into the housing with low insertion force. These 1.5mm pitch, top and side entry connectors are ideal for consumer, commercial, and industrial high-density applications.

The disconnectable, crimp-style ZE connector is available in 2 to 16 circuits rated 2.0 amps (AC/DC) at 100V AC/DC. Wire sizes AWG #30 to #24 are accommodated. Temperature range is –25oC to 85oC (including temperature rise in applying electrical current). Socket housing is 94V-O rated PBT material. Contacts are phosphor bronze, tin-plated. Standard reeled contacts are offered for bench-mounted or fully automatic application tooling, while mini-reeled contacts are offered for hand-held mini-reel tooling. Header plating is lead-free and complies with European and China RoHS directives. SMT headers are provided on embossed tape for automatic insertion equipment.

For more information, visit www.jst.com.

ERNI Enhances Right Angled Female DIN Connector Features
 July 2008—ERNI Electronics has redesigned its right-angle female DIN connectors for daughtercard applications. The fresh design approach delivers a number of key benefits relating to reliability and assembly efficiency.

ERNI’s latest family of right-angled DIN 41612 connectors is available in type R, R/2, and R/3 variants. By using the “eye-of-the-needle” pressfit zone, the press-in force is reduced by approximately 25 percent, resulting in less stress on the PCB and increased reliability. An automated optical inspection (AOI) step during the manufacturing process ensures 100 percent controlled pin quality.

ERNI’s new connectors are fully compatible to existing versions in mating face and termination. It is possible to implement this new series of connectors without changing the layout of the board.

A press-in cover used on every pressfit version enables the type R female connector to be pressed in with a cost-effective flat rock press-in tool, without damaging the contacts.

All type R connectors are suitable for use with a simple coding mechanism that uses coding tabs. The RoHS compliant through-hole reflow (THR) versions are built from a high-temperature-resistant material that makes them capable for reflow soldering. The right-angled female DIN connector is priced for a global marketplace at $2.80 per piece.

For more information, visit www.erni.com.

Fortress Introduces Dustcovers to Protect Its Interlocks
 July 2008—Fortress has introduced new dustcovers for use with its mGard range of industrial safety interlocks. The dustcovers are available as standard or padlock-able, and fit over the lock preventing buildup of dust and debris that could prevent the internal lock mechanism from operating correctly.

Designed to fit the CL(S), ML(S), BL(S) locks, the dustcovers are stainless steel and spring-loaded, featuring a robust clamp inside that grips the lock body. They can be mounted either vertically or horizontally, and the large polished front surface provides room for customer text.

Padlock-able dustcovers are available featuring two padlock holes that accept padlocks from 3 to 8mm, and are also compatible with Fortress scissor hasps with multiple padlock-able holes. This extra lock-out feature prevents any unauthorized operation of the lock while keeping the interlock free from debris and in good working order.

For more information, visit www.fortressinterlocks.com.
 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

 


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