Space technology for electronic systems has evolved to meet the needs of long-range performance in extreme physical and environmental situations. From launch to deep space travel, the demands can be daunting, considering they cannot fail and cannot be repaired.   On August 6, 2015, the world sat still, quietly awaiting word of a Mars landing,Read More

We spoke with Bob Zubrickie of TE Connectivity about the possibilities that lay ahead for 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as well as the role connector technology will play in future developments.     Q: What is additive manufacturing, and where is it in the development stage in general industry? How quickly will it comeRead More

Are craft beer and automation compatible? While the beverage industry long ago automated manufacturing and packaging operations, today’s craft breweries pride themselves on the personal touch. Is there a place for factory automation in small-batch brewing?   Over the past fifteen years or so, the American beer market has seen a rapid expansion of smallRead More

Larger manufacturers have employed manufacturing execution systems for years, but many small-to-medium-sized enterprises have yet to adopt such systems. Schleuniger’s Pete Doyon says that looking forward, even the smallest manufacturing companies will need to use them.   A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a software program that manages and monitors production work in a factory. The MES controlsRead More

Industry 4.0 is the point where automation, the Internet of Things, wearables, and customization converge.   “Industry 4.0” is still a bit of a buzzword, but it gets closer to realization every day. Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution. In earlier articles, we discussed the first (industrialization), second (mass production), and third (IT integration)Read More

When it comes to surviving in a hostile plant environment, few would argue against the superiority of the M12 connector system over the traditional RJ45 connector and socket, according to Dietmar Röring of Phoenix Contact.   Ethernet has become a viable alternative to fieldbus systems in industrial networks. Ethernet can also be combined with existingRead More

End launch connectors are intended for critical applications that require high-performance results. Bishop & Associate’s Dave Shaff looks at the technology that drives that performance and offers a primer on specification for particular applications.   End launch connectors are used to transition microwave energy from coaxial to planar transmission-line structures. Test boards, chip demo sets, andRead More

The primary purpose of a connector design review is to evaluate if the new product meets customer requirements. Here, Bill Garver of APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants discusses the steps in the process and how to navigate them successfully.   There are usually several design reviews conducted throughout the new product development cycle for electrical connectors. These reviews occurRead More

After seven decades of innovation, LEMO now offers more than 75,000 product combinations, a product range that continues to grow through custom-specific designs.   LEMO is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2016. The company, founded in 1946 by Léon Mouttet in Morges, Switzerland, initially specialized in manufacturing electrical contacts in noble metals for the Swiss post and testRead More

Now that 100G networking equipment is being deployed in both local and wide area networks, it is time to seriously consider what lies beyond.   There are many research and development projects currently underway to answer the question of how high data rates will go, as well as what they will require of the hardware that makes them possible. TheRead More

While not yet pervasive in all sectors, fiber optic connectors are present and growing in all market sectors. In this excerpt from a recent Bishop & Associates market report, we look at the effects they’ve had on data center networks and what is still to come.   Ever since Bell Laboratories developed the first glassRead More

In a recent interview with John MacWilliams, the connector industry veteran shared his best guesses on technology and its effects on the workplace of 2045.   In 2045, your work day will begin in your home office. You may still have a dedicated corporate office space to work and meet in, but the majority of your workRead More