Military tech advancements for 2016 will sharpen situational awareness and expand capabilities for the warfighter. Across the Department of Defense, many research and development programs are finding it necessary to change direction in order to adapt to budget cuts. Program managers, expected to advance technology while spending less money, are rising to theRead More
Space technology for electronic systems has evolved to meet the needs of long-range performance in extreme physical and environmental situations. From launch to deep space travel, the demands can be daunting, considering they cannot fail and cannot be repaired. On August 6, 2015, the world sat still, quietly awaiting word of a Mars landing,Read More
We spoke with Bob Zubrickie of TE Connectivity about the possibilities that lay ahead for 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as well as the role connector technology will play in future developments. Q: What is additive manufacturing, and where is it in the development stage in general industry? How quickly will it comeRead More
Interconnect news for February 19, 2016 features hot new product announcements to ensure speed and reliability. Connector Manufacturers’ Announcements Aries Electronics named Enterprise Technology as its 2015 Representative of the Year. The award, accepted by Enterprise Technology President, Mark Keating, is based on overall, year-over-year percentage and dollar-growth sales data. Distributor Announcements Digi-Key unveiledRead More
Are craft beer and automation compatible? While the beverage industry long ago automated manufacturing and packaging operations, today’s craft breweries pride themselves on the personal touch. Is there a place for factory automation in small-batch brewing? Over the past fifteen years or so, the American beer market has seen a rapid expansion of smallRead More
Larger manufacturers have employed manufacturing execution systems for years, but many small-to-medium-sized enterprises have yet to adopt such systems. Schleuniger’s Pete Doyon says that looking forward, even the smallest manufacturing companies will need to use them. A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a software program that manages and monitors production work in a factory. The MES controlsRead More
Industry 4.0 is the point where automation, the Internet of Things, wearables, and customization converge. “Industry 4.0” is still a bit of a buzzword, but it gets closer to realization every day. Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution. In earlier articles, we discussed the first (industrialization), second (mass production), and third (IT integration)Read More
When it comes to surviving in a hostile plant environment, few would argue against the superiority of the M12 connector system over the traditional RJ45 connector and socket, according to Dietmar Röring of Phoenix Contact. Ethernet has become a viable alternative to fieldbus systems in industrial networks. Ethernet can also be combined with existingRead More
End launch connectors are intended for critical applications that require high-performance results. Bishop & Associate’s Dave Shaff looks at the technology that drives that performance and offers a primer on specification for particular applications. End launch connectors are used to transition microwave energy from coaxial to planar transmission-line structures. Test boards, chip demo sets, andRead More
The primary purpose of a connector design review is to evaluate if the new product meets customer requirements. Here, Bill Garver of APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants discusses the steps in the process and how to navigate them successfully. There are usually several design reviews conducted throughout the new product development cycle for electrical connectors. These reviews occurRead More
Have you read the latest interconnect news? We’ve got the week’s product, show, personnel, and business announcements from your favorite interconnect suppliers. LEMO Celebrates 70th Anniversary LEMO is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2016. After seven decades of innovation, the company now offers 75,000 product combinations, a product range that continues to grow through custom-specific designs. READ MORE ConnectorRead More
