High-performance polyamides provide improved reliability and safety in next-generation USB-C connectors.     USB-C connectors will need to carry more power than previous generations in a much smaller form factor, which makes the performance properties of the materials used for holding all the conductive elements together especially critical. Reliability is a key requirement, so theRead More

Every once in a while, rather than seek an expansion of a connector manufacturer’s already-proven product, a customer will request a standard, off-the-shelf product that’s markedly different than the supplier’s current offerings. Tom Anderson of AVX explains how his team approached one such complex challenge.   Finding the right connector for a specific application can beRead More

From electrical requirements to cost to packaging, specifying and developing a custom connector is a complex job from start to finish. Print out our handy checklist as a reference for your next custom connector specification.  

Since more than 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, it’s no surprise it is responsible for an abundance of application failures. To ensure success, improve your risk assessment of off-the-shelf parts and learn how custom designs help navigate complex environmental factors.   Sometimes focusing on hurdle rates, internal rate of return, andRead More

When a custom interconnect solution is required, partnering with a distributor can facilitate the process from early design stages through final delivery.   There is an abundance of off-the-shelf products available for connector and cable harness assembly applications; but where do design engineers turn when they need something custom-engineered for harsh or other unique environments?Read More

The greatest difficulty in deploying RF-over-fiber systems in military applications has been the lack of ruggedized fiber optic connectors capable of meeting the stringent return-loss requirements needed for quality signal transmissions.      Governments around the world are squeezing defense budgets to reduce spending. Defense departments are pushing systems manufacturers to provide increasingly capable andRead More

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh are giving light fixtures the ability to transmit data to digital devices, with the goal of turning lamps everywhere into access points. For LED components, this could mean elevation from humble light bulb to essential wireless technology.      LED lighting is finding a new and somewhat surprising applicationRead More

The OFC show will mirror a dynamic and growing industry say organizers of this year’s event.      [quote]“With escalating bandwidth needs each year and the constant change in data rates from 10G to 40G to 100G, if you don’t attend even just one year of OFC, you are actually missing out. You are missingRead More

An age-old connector technology is being “rediscovered” as a better solution for power connector density issues.      The quest to manufacture electronics in smaller and smaller packages continues as consumer demand for palm-sized computers and pen-sized communications equipment grows. The Holy Grail seems to be a computer on a pinhead and entertainment electronics oneRead More

After experiencing numerous costly downtimes, Ford turned to Remke for an alternative to the hard-wired cable that connected its welding robots.      Sudden downtime of an automotive assembly line can be costly. Industry experts estimate that downtime can cost a manufacturer as much as $1 million per hour in lost revenue. Ford Motor Co.Read More

The SWaP initiative employed by the US military and NASA has helped connector manufacturers focus on improving smaller and lighter connectors, in particular for custom designs.   As we demand our circuits do more and in smaller packages, we still need reliable power and signal transfer. Today’s designers have a number of new tools andRead More

Manufacturers of rolling stock require high-quality electrical connection systems, and there is increasing demand for custom-tailored railway cabling solutions from connector manufacturers.      Like those in traditional mechanical engineering fields, manufacturers of rail vehicles face the increasing challenges of higher costs and time-to-market pressures. Electrical connections and cabling are one area where they canRead More