There are a number of factors to consider when deciding between custom or off-the-shelf medical connectors, and the pros and cons of each might surprise you. When designing a new medical device, one of the decisions manufacturers face is choosing a connector and mating receptacle. For some applications, a standard (or off-the-shelf) connector is a viableRead More

After two years of incubation and development, TE Connectivity (TE) unveiled the company’s latest advancement in fiber optics: Coolbit optical engines. TE’s Nathan Tracy answered our questions about the future of optical technology. CS: Rather than build an optical engine using off-the-shelf components, TE chose to differentiate its products by focusing the design on the twoRead More

When designing medical devices, connector performance is a critical part of the accuracy, durability, and safety of the end system. Here are five things you need to know about medical connector reliability. When you think about medical connectors, the first thought that likely comes to mind is reliability. But what does this mean? Where doRead More

As average sales prices for devices decrease, the cost of testing needs to decrease at the same or greater rate. The PXI platform for semiconductor ATE may be the answer. This is an excerpt from a white paper available from Geotest – Marvin Test Systems. The electronics industry is under constant pressure to lower itsRead More

Cable stress and failure in high-flex applications have a direct impact on reliability of automation equipment. This information is an excerpt of a white paper from W.L. Gore &  Associates.  The latest process automation machines are designed to operate much faster than previous generations and incorporate vision and numerous sensors. This new operating environment canRead More

As goes the semiconductor market, so go interconnects. The Semiconductor Industry Association shares the five things to know about global semiconductor sales now. 1. Global semiconductor sales reached a record high in 2013. Worldwide semiconductor sales for 2013 reached $305.6 billion, the industry’s highest-ever annual total and an increase of 4.8% from the 2012 totalRead More

Wondering how to select a connector supplier? The selection method must ensure the supplier can meet all established performance, cost, lead-time, and service requirements. Once several manufacturers’ connectors have been evaluated for a specific application, it is likely that the ultimate selection will be made from at least three or four manufacturers (and maybe moreRead More

Using multi-contact coax connectors and VITA standards can preserve space on the front panel and facilitate insertion/removal of cards for installation, repair, and upgrades. A growing trend in electronic packaging for military and aerospace applications is the availability of multi-contact coaxial interconnects. A key driver is the desire to provide RF disconnect capability at the backplane/daughtercardRead More

Think you know everything about RF Coaxial Connectors? Here are five things to know before you start your next design. 1. Radio frequency (RF) coaxial contacts maintain signal integrity. RF coaxial connectors have historically been used to transmit radio signals over copper lines so the signal can be processed into an audible or visible medium.Read More

High availability and the reliability of rolling stock comprise the basic requirements for modern rail freight. HARTING is researching solutions for condition-based maintenance strategies. The long history of sustained, strong growth in global trade correlates to a continued increase in the flow of goods in the future. Despite political advocacy and a broad range ofRead More

The “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants continues with a tutorial on how to specify and select a connector for a particular application. Generally speaking, electrical connectors are mechanical components that serve an electrical function. In addition to carrying electrical current at a specified voltage, connectors either enable interconnection of components during theRead More

Today’s inter-vehicle jumper systems must withstand a diverse array of electrical, mechanical, and climatic conditions. Today’s inter-vehicle jumper systems must be capable of withstanding a diverse array of conditions, so the system’s design must consider the flow of current and the resulting heating, vibration, bending, and torsion, as well as ambient temperature, ballast strikes, weathering,Read More