Aspects including: cost, environment, vibration, connector density, signal integrity, installation methods, and safety requirements should be key factors when specifying signal connections for industrial applications Loreen Katz, Product Marketing Manager – Industrial Field Connectivity, Phoenix Contact USA Where are signals found in industrial and semi-industrial settings? Everywhere. Devices such as sensors, actuators, switches, valves, andRead More

Your ISO quality audit is coming up. We talk to an auditor to find out what to expect at your next inspection. By Jean Thilmany To ease any anxiety that quality managers at connector companies might feel when the auditor is due for a visit, Kevin Russelburg, an ISO 9001:2015 lead auditor, pulls back theRead More

Full Material Declarations provide an effective strategy for environmental data reporting. By Roger L. Franz, Engineering System Analyst, TE Connectivity Since the European Directives, Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), were enacted in 2006–7, the number of regulated substances continues to grow. REACH adds new substances roughlyRead More

Five Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting Cable Protection for Automotive Applications George Sims, Director of Marketing, AerosUSA 1. Sealed or Open System One of the first things to consider when selecting cable protection for automotive applications is whether the cables can operate effectively and reliably with no to minimal protection or whether theyRead More

Products ranging from appliances to vehicles feature crimp contact plug connectors that are hard to access and easy to damage. In the event of a repair, a more durable connector is needed. By Andreas Aigner, Product Development Manager, Würth Elektronik eiSos Although they are really designed for permanent connections, plug connectors with crimp contacts occasionallyRead More

To satisfy evolving application demands, medical imaging interconnects are being designed to deliver higher-speed, higher-bandwidth performance in smaller, lighter, and more rugged form factors capable of higher mating cycles over longer lifetimes. Carl Bunke, ITT Cannon Field Applications Engineer Macro trends, such as an aging population, preventative care, and a shift to less invasive procedures,Read More

Specialized connectors that integrate other components save space and add capabilities. By Julie Carlson, Marketing Manager, LEMO USA Design engineers who create small, portable devices such as those used in medical and military equipment face a challenge: the need to save valuable PCB space. One popular solution is to integrate electronics into a connector. OneRead More

Advanced Connectors Enable Smart Agriculture Presented by Bulgin Modern agriculture depends on advanced technologies. Leading electronics companies are providing new solutions to the agricultural sector that help make farming more productive, precise, and profitable. Companies that make electronics for the agriculture market face a unique set of challenges, as agricultural environments are characterized by extremeRead More

A how-to guide for selecting and successfully implementing high-speed connectors Michael Rock, Engineering Manager – Signal Integrity Products, AirBorn Inc. When designing applications that utilize high-speed interconnects, it’s vital to navigate around all potential speed bumps along the signal’s path. Factors including: stackups, tolerances, via design, trace widths, plating, and copper etching must be understoodRead More

A how-to guide for evaluating and specifying spring probe connectors Gina Prieto, Key Account Director, Smiths Interconnect Connectors that utilize spring probe contact technology offer a number of advantages over those that incorporate other types of contacts, including: enhanced compliance, blind mating, space savings, impressive cycle life (up to 300,000 cycles), and high misalignment tolerances. However,Read More

Five Reasons to Consider Polycrystalline Ceramic Seals Instead of Glass Seals for Hermetic DC Connectors Rick Kalkowski, Marketing Administrator, PA&E, a Division of Hermetic Solutions Group Advancements in materials give designers new options. Even classic designs such as the venerable DC connector can be updated and improved by considering all available materials. Switching from glassRead More

When connector performance is ideally matched to application requirements, modern military and commercial aerospace connectors can break barriers to enhanced performance in critical systems John Whittaker, Product Development Manager, Amphenol Pcd In today’s military and commercial aerospace world, engineers are challenged to incorporate more functionality in less space without increasing weight or sacrificing performance, payload, or range. Whether it’s increasingRead More