Archives

Ethernet Still Going Strong at 50

A half century after its inception, this ground-breaking technology is still a major player in the evolving world of connectivity. In May 1973, Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) researcher Bob Metcalfe sent out a memo that outlined a new broadcast communication network to connect computers within a building. His design used coaxial cable, butRead More

Is the Gold Rush Over for China Connector Sales?

Bishop & Associates has been tracking the connector industry since 1980 by product type, by end-use market sector, and by major geographic region. When we initially starting reporting on the industry, China’s connector sales were so insignificant we included China’s numbers as part of the Asia Pacific region. Bishop & Associates began reporting China connectorRead More

What is MIL-Approved Wire/Cable?

What is MIL-Approved Wire/Cable? MIL-approved wire, or MIL-spec wire, is any wiring solution that meets the strict standards developed for use in military applications. As with any military specifications, MIL-approved wire is designed for high performance and high reliability in harsh environments, which also makes it an attractive option for many non-military harsh environment applications.Read More

Wire Harnesses Product Roundup  

This week’s Product Roundup highlights wire harnesses from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Wire Harnesses Omnetics Connector Corporation is well suited to meet customers’ cable harness needs, with IPC-610 and IPC-620 trained workers on-site. Its experienced staff of sales, engineering, and manufacturing professionals make cable harness projects a hassle-free experience. Each market has unique andRead More

Industrial Controls: Demystifying SCADA

In a manufacturing setting, SCADA is the system of interconnected applications that controls everything from how the machines are programmed to the visual representation of the product as it makes its way through the machines, to the collection of data about the machines’ functionality, and more. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is the pieceRead More

Redefining Reliability: How Single-Pair Ethernet Elevates Security and Efficiency in Industrial Network Communication

With its ability to dramatically transform data transmission in industrial applications, SPE is redefining the future of secure and reliable network communication across diverse industries. Amid the metamorphosis of industrial connectivity, a remarkable innovation is taking center stage: single-pair Ethernet (SPE). With its ability to dramatically transform data transmission in industrial applications, SPE is redefiningRead More

The Top Five European Connector Suppliers for Product Quality and Price Competitiveness

Bishop & Associates’ 2023 European Customer Satisfaction Survey of the Electronic Connector Industry evaluated 17 connector manufacturers. A total of 280 customers answered 17 questions relating to important issues such as quality, pricing, delivery, lead times, technical support, and more to determine the top five European connector suppliers. In this article Bishop examines the topRead More

What are ix Industrial Connectors?

Meet the Connector: ix Industrial The ix Industrial connector is a miniature high-speed Ethernet connector used in industrial applications. It is also known as an IP20 Industrial Ethernet connector, referring to its ingress protection, which protects connections from the harsh operating environments present in factories and other industrial network applications. The connector provides a moreRead More

Photovoltaics Product Roundup  

This week’s Product Roundup highlights photovoltaic solutions from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Photovoltaics Amphenol Industrial Solar Technologies’ H4 PV Connector, supplied by RS, carries more amps than the industry standard connector. It features quick and easy secure snap-lock mating, long-term UV and ozone resistance, low contact resistance, and meets the NEC 2008/2011 standard “as is,”Read More

October 2023 Connector Industry News

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. October 2023 Connector Industry News October 2023 Connector Industry News > Event News DigiKey’s annual Back2School Prize Draw sweepstakes, which provides college students a chance to win DigiKey credit to purchase productsRead More

Smart Patches Offer Next-Level Wireless Health Monitoring

A new generation of wearable sensors are making cardiatrics, diabetes management, biometric monitoring, and medication delivery more comfortable and effective. Wireless health monitoring has been transformed by the possibilities afforded by miniaturized electronics. The first mass market of wearable medical devices took the form of fitness trackers and smartwatches embedded with biometrics sensors that monitorRead More

Heavy-Duty Connectors Protect the Flow of Power and Data in Robots in Harsh Environments

As robots become ubiquitous and the tasks they take on grow more complex, one constant remains: they must be able to endure harsh environment conditions without interruption or performance impacts. The definition of “harsh” varies significantly across the many operating environments that require automated processes. Some robots may be working in a highly controlled cleanRead More

2026 World Connector Market Handbook 2025-2031F
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