To make the connected car and autonomous driving possible, quality wire harnesses are essential. Since quality assurance is a complex and largely manual manufacturing process, the use of a specialized manufacturing execution system (MES) is paramount. By Bernd Jost, Managing Director, DiIT AG, and Pete Doyon, VP Product Management, Schleuniger, Inc. Digitization has long beenRead More

Innovative, high-density connectors deliver higher current-carrying capacity and help usher in new levels of performance for electric and hybrid vehicles. By Kirk Nelson, Director of Sales – Automotive, Hirose Electric The continued development of hybrid vehicles (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV) is central to most car manufacturers’ future strategies. One day in the not tooRead More

Coating connectors with a dry powder that hardens when cured can bestow benefits in terms of connector strength and protection. For that reason, some connector suppliers are eyeing the move to powder. By Jean Thilmany Connector suppliers often cover their products — or at least part of their product — with an opaque coating thatRead More

Achieving a controlled finished surface suitable for wire bonding is essential for mission-critical applications. Here are the qualities you should look for. By Sussex Wire, Inc. Wire-bonded glass-to-metal and ceramic-to-metal hermetic assemblies are extensively employed in commercial, industrial, and mission-critical energy, military/aerospace, automotive, and medical applications. Products cover a wide range of assemblies, including vacuum feedthroughs,Read More

The exploding growth of the medical device market is putting more pressure than ever on the components that make today’s life-saving technologies possible. By Jean Thilmany New Materials Expand the Capabilities of Medical Connectors Connectors destined for use in medical devices face a number of unique challenges. They must be able to withstand frequent connectRead More

Cabled interconnects could help system designers configure their architectures to achieve greater flexibility, performance, and cost savings. By Lucas Benson, Senior Business Development Manager and Manager of Global Product Management, TE Connectivity Global data consumption is driving faster silicon I/O speeds, from PCIe Gen 3 (8Gb/s) and Gen 4 (16Gb/s) to PCIe Gen 5 (32Gb/s).  Similarly, Ethernet I/O speedsRead More

Most of the connectors used in the small, hand-launched military UAVs typical of swarming drones are very small, lightweight, low-profile, D-shaped, or flat-nano connectors. By Ann R. Thryft Military UAV In a swarm of robots or a natural swarm of ants or bees, all units communicate with each other and act collectively. Swarm robotics looksRead More

The VITA 76.0 connector ensures exceptional signal integrity for high-speed interconnects over maximum cable length on size-, weight-, and power (SWaP)-constrained ground, airborne, and naval platforms. By Mike Southworth, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, and Ken Braund, Meritec In 2015, VITA adopted the VITA 76.0 standard, “High Performance Cable – Ruggedized 10 Gbaud Bulkhead Connector for CuRead More

The demand for twisted pair differential signal cable has skyrocketed to serve a new generation of high-speed military products ranging from surveillance devices to portable computers. By Bob Stanton, Director of Technology, Omnetics Connector Corporation Twisted Pair Cable for High-Speed Interconnections As high-speed digital circuit design evolves for use in portable and other environmentally challengingRead More

Custom molded connectors and cordsets offer numerous advantages, and many designers find that superior performance comes at a reasonable price. Mark Sweeney, President/COO, Remke Industries Specifying Custom Molded Connectors and Cordsets Molded connectors and cordsets are commonly used with sensors and control devices that require easy disconnect. Molded connector and cordset solutions are widely available, butRead More

In the past 20 years, connectivity has become a defining feature for vehicle performance, function, and experience. By Amphenol RF Rapid Evolution of the Connected Car The automotive industry has seen monumental changes in recent years as the Internet of Things (IoT) has infiltrated nearly every function of cars, from in-vehicle entertainment systems to performanceRead More

Water is the enemy of electronics. Yet equipment ranging from our pocket-dwelling consumer devices to complex military gear has the potential for exposure to moisture. Good seals on cables and connectors can keep it out. Dana Stoica, Global Marketing Manager, ODU-USA, Inc. Hostile environments often expose the weakest parts of electronic systems, and these frequentlyRead More