Recently we spoke with Ward Williams, chief commercial officer at ProLabs, to learn more about the compatible product market.   Q: What are compatible network products? A: Compatible products can include transceivers, direct-attach cables (DAC), active optical cables (AOC), and media converters, among others. Compatibles are designed to work with all manufacturers’ equipment and can beRead More

A call for papers, personnel changes and promotions, new business agreements, and expansion into China are all part of the news briefs for April 7, 2015. The IWCS Conference has announced a call for papers for the International Cable Connectivity Symposium. Past article topics have included cable, fiber, and conductor design; new cable materials; processingRead More

Bishop & Associates tracks sales and profits in 13 market sectors. Based on the 120 companies it follows, it evaluated the performance results for OEM markets in 2014.   How are OEMs faring in the current economic climate? The objectives in tracking sales and profits of these 120 companies in 13 market sectors are to determine how selected electronicRead More

For the new electric and hybrid vehicles, powertrain controls and connectors require the complete functionality of a conventional vehicle, plus the components required to drive the electric motor and charge the Lithium-ion battery pack.  Worldwide production of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) reached two million units in 2014, nearly doubling since 2011 andRead More

Rectangular connectors are commonly used in automotive applications, but the industry has unique requirements. Phoenix Contact offers tips on how to specify rectangular connectors for automotive applications. Rectangular connectors have long been used in industries where a harsh environment is standard operating procedure. These connectors need to meet a variety of specifications, including a high IngressRead More

Component requirements for the automotive market are demanding, diverse, and forward-looking. ODU shares five things to know about precise contacts for the automotive industry. The reliable transfer of power, signals, data, and media are achieved with interconnects across a wide range of demanding applications and markets. The requirements for the automotive industry, for example, are both diverse andRead More

Dr. Bob reviews two recently published papers to draw conclusions on the possible use of nanocrystalline silver alloy contact finishes in electronic applications. In my previous article, in which I mentioned two recent papers* on the nanocrystalline silver alloys of silver-tungsten (AgW) and silver-palladium (AgPd) and their use as contact finishes, I highlighted the potential benefits these alloysRead More

Never underestimate the importance of contact/housing retention mechanisms. Serious issues can arise if contacts are not assembled properly or if the retention device is not robust.   Connectors retain their electrical contacts within an insulating housing. Some retention mechanisms are more reliable than others. Serious issues can arise if the contacts are not assembled properlyRead More

Developed with a medical device manufacturer, Bioconnect’s medical cable reduces electrical interference and is now available to all customers. Working with a medical device company, Bioconnect, a division of RF Industries, has designed a cable that eliminates unwanted electrical noise. A medical device company developed a mapping catheter system that improved the diagnosis and treatment of atrialRead More

For the connector industry, the fourth quarter historically results in higher sales than the first, second, and third, but in this issue’s Facts & Figures, all quarters are not equal.   For years we’ve reported that for the connector industry, the fourth quarter historically results in higher sales than the first, second, and third quarters. That statement isRead More

There’s lots of talk about the benefits of the Internet of Things, particularly in the industrial arena, but is there a down side? Arthur Visser asks the question: Are AI and IoT a threat to mankind?   If you have been following the news recently, you probably heard that Professor Stephen Hawking, one of theRead More

Three-dimensional digital models of components created with the help of a computer tomograph enable targeted process optimization of injection molding and high-pressure die-casting processes.   Computer tomography is an X-ray-based procedure in which the test object is scanned from different angles. The test object is positioned on a turntable between an X-ray source and aRead More