Pure tin plating has been almost universally adopted, but the looming expiration of a critical exemption is poised to bite manufacturers of screw machined contacts. Bob Hult examines the continuing impact of RoHS. Just when you thought the connector industry had bit the bullet and removed all lead from its products, the looming expiration ofRead More

The material used in a connector design significantly impacts its overall performance. Bob Stanton of Omnetics takes a look at how insulator materials affect connectors at work.   The choice of the material of which a connector is made can greatly affect reliability and performance, and often depends on the environment and application in which the connector isRead More

Everywhere you turn, you can find LEDs in almost any lighting form factor, and connections are more challenging than a screw-in light bulb. Andrew Bogaczyk of Phoenix Contact explains how to connect LEDs and why the connection counts.   LEDs continue to dominate the lighting marketplace; everywhere you turn, you can now find LEDs in almost any formRead More

In our continuing series on connector basics, Bill Garver of APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants examines the final step of the connector development process: How to successfully launch a new connector product.   In a previous “Connector Basics” article, we discussed how manufacturers must optimize the talents of their employees so that critical needs are addressed to ensure a successfulRead More

According to Bishop & Associates’ research, the fourth largest connector market will exhibit strong growth over the next five years.   The industrial market is the fourth largest connector market by share of the total worldwide connector market following automotive, computer/peripheral, and telecom/datacom. This share has been relatively stable over the last five years at approximatelyRead More

The intelligent networking of industrial devices promises to deliver productivity gains, but not all manufacturers are ready to make the leap to the smart factory. Connecting efficiency and productivity is key for the future of the industrial sector.   As the buzz about “Industry 4.0” grows louder, many people believe it may be just around the corner, butRead More

Technological developments in today’s industrial environments require modular systems. HARTING’s Jakob Dück examines suitable interfaces for modular machine design.   After cloud computing comes cloud production. This development has significantly impacted machine construction; there is a need for highly flexible, quickly implementable production machines and lines that are fail-safe and can be cost-effectively mass-produced. The goal is to manufacture theRead More

There are simple ways to customize a connector’s performance to better withstand harsh environments. Remke examines the five connector specs that combat environmental issues.   When establishing electrical connections in harsh environments, standard cable connectors and assemblies often don’t cut it. There are simple ways, however, to customize any connector’s performance. Common environmental issues for connectorsRead More

Hirose’s GT8E Series for automotive offers a high pin count in a small footprint. Hirose announced the GT8E Series, a compact internal wire-to-board or wire-to-wire interface connector that can handle demanding automotive conditions. The GT8E Series connector features a 2.0mm pitch, providing a high pin count in a small footprint. Designed for internal use in ECUs, inverters, and batteryRead More

PROVERTHA 90-degree M12 connectors are fully shielded with eight cable outlet options.   PROVERTHA complements its comprehensive range of M12 connection solutions with fully shielded 90-degree M12 cable connectors that offer eight cable outlet options. With the new connectors, the company addresses applications in automation, control, and process technology as well as in mechanical engineering. The compactRead More

We’re introducing a new feature in this issue. “Connectors at Work” highlights a specific application and explains which connectors are most beneficial for system performance. First up, Bob Stanton of Omnetics looks at industrial robots.   Industrial robotics are helping to revive automated manufacturing significantly. The development of new end-of-arm (EOA) instruments enables systems that can handleRead More

Idaho-based Melni Connectors was started by an inventor who designed a connector based on a children’s toy. Last week he found himself on the television hit Shark Tank, pitching the idea to potential investors.   Inventor Mark Melni didn’t know a children’s toy would leave him swimming with the sharks. Although the connector industry is dominated byRead More