Robots can go where humans can’t, either for safety or practical reasons. They can achieve levels of precision or repeatability to augment or simplify the work that people do. The right connectors make them efficient, durable, and reliable. Complex robots are deployed in a wide variety of applications — in industrial and manufacturing facilities, hospitalRead More

Meet the Connector: Proximity and Position Sensors Robotics and control systems depend on proximity and position sensors employing methods such as infrared, ultrasonic, or capacitive sensing to correctly park, position, and orient their motion in relation to the environment around them. Proximity sensors Proximity sensors detect the presence of nearby objects, often called targets, withoutRead More

Seven Considerations for Connector Selection for Industrial and Embedded Systems The nature of industrial and embedded systems has changed significantly in recent years as equipment is afforded less space and operates with tighter tolerances under harsher conditions. These factors, coupled with the increased data volumes from the rise of IoT, mean the integrity and durabilityRead More

Gold plating offers unparalleled durability and corrosion resistance to interconnects. Learn how gold — or a cost-effective alternative — can impact connector selection. Gold plating has a long history of utility in the connector industry due to its highly effective combination of durability, corrosion resistance, ductility, and electrical conductivity. The material offers stability under aRead More

Meet the Connector: 7/16 DIN Connectors The 7/16 interface was originally developed in Europe in the 1960s for the military. Also referred to simply as 7/16, this interface is a 50 Ω threaded RF connector used to join cables and equipment. The name is derived from the contact measurements: 7 mm outer diameter of theRead More

At this year’s electronica trade show in Munich, connector companies from around the planet gathered to showcase new products, share ideas and expertise, and try to get a read on a future that is filled with wild cards. Almost every two years for the last 60 years, the electronic components industry has gathered in MunichRead More

Safe and reliable power distribution is critical in industrial, energy storage, renewable energy, transportation and agricultural equipment. Selecting among the many good connector choices can be challenging. Designers of power distribution systems must look beyond the foundational specifications of voltage, current, operating temperature, and basic shock and vibration needs when selecting industrial connectors to alsoRead More

Honors went to several Connector Supplier preferred suppliers this year. Electronics Industry Awards attendees were treated to a black-tie evening of excitement, networking, and celebration, in recognition of the outstanding businesses, products, and people from the electronics sector. The event took place October 24, at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London. Several ofRead More

Meet the Connector: KTK Connectors KTK is a multi-pin connector type that is widely used in the high-pressure, high-temperature environments of downhole Oil & Gas operations. The name is derived from Kintec, the company that originally designed this connector in the early 1990s. Today, versions of KTK-style connectors are made by several manufacturers. Standard featuresRead More

As new levels of automation and connected technologies move into the most hazardous environments on Earth, Ethernet-APL is bringing field devices together. Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer), an extension of Ethernet technology, hit the standards scene in 2022 and it’s already accelerating high speed connectivity and real-time data exchange and diagnostics in the process automation industry.Read More

Meet the Connector: Metrical Connectors Metrical connectors, also called M-type connectors and metric circular connectors, are a standardized circular connector that is widely used in industrial applications, including robotics, factory automation equipment, and sensor systems. They are cylindrical in shape and feature a secure locking mechanism in order to ensure connections remain tight in environmentsRead More

As more companies see the financial and environmental benefits of net zero, connector suppliers continue to develop product solutions to help meet those goals. Single-pair Ethernet is one solution. It has a smaller footprint than traditional Ethernet connectors and uses less materials to enable field devices to connect directly to the network. Single-pair Ethernet, orRead More