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

Internet connectivity, digital business models and data-driven services, remote access, and data analytics all contribute to needs and challenges across nearly every industry. Domink Merli, author of the new book, Engineering Secure Devices: A Practical Guide for Embedded System Architects and Developers, explores ways to design security measures into embedded systems. Most modern products needRead More

Meet the Connector: MICE Connectors MICE connectors are a category of ruggedized connectors designed for harsh industrial environments that require robust and reliable connections. MICE is an acronym for Mechanical, Ingress, Climatic, and Electromagnetic protection. The concept of MICE gained traction in the late 20th century as industries began to ask for more durable andRead More

Download your copy here! From factory floors to remote harsh environments, many industries are discovering the benefits of automation in all its forms. Interconnects are critical for ensuring the efficiency and safety of autonomous machines used alongside and in place of humans. In Connector Supplier’s latest eBook, The Robots Are Coming: Automation, Robotics, AI, andRead More

Delicate connector pins can be a point of failure. New contactless designs for industrial applications resist wear, damage, and ingress and transmit power and data across open air. A new wave of contactless connectors is delivering power and signal without pins or contacts. While this concept seems to defy the traditional definition of connectors, whichRead More

Learn how to specify connectors that deliver industrial performance while keeping food and beverages safe from contamination. The design of safe food and beverage processing systems includes the selection of specialized connectors and cables made from materials that resist bacteria growth, are easy to thoroughly clean and sterilize, operate without risk of introducing contaminants, facilitateRead More

In a global realization that humanity must build a more sustainable future, manufacturing is setting the stage with new technologies and processes that show other industries what is possible. Humanity is an inflection point in terms of our impact on the health of the planet, and sustainable manufacturing is a new imperative. Nearly one-third ofRead More

Meet the Connector: QLS Connectors QLS connectors are a type of circular cable connector jointly designed by IMS Connector Systems and Telegärtner to offer a quick-locking alternative for the threaded SMA connector. It is designed for quick and easy mating and unmating without the need for tools. This can be particularly useful in scenarios whereRead More

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. May 2024 Connector Industry News May 2024 Connector Industry News > Event News DigiKey has teamed up with NXP Semiconductors to launch the MCX MCU Design Contest at embedded world. Using NXP’s new FRDM development boards,Read More