As part of the Connector Basics series, APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants have introduced us to the phases of new connector development and defined the skills needed for each. In this installment, Bill Garver and George Bedorf discuss the required skills for the manufacturing phase of connector development.   In a previous article, it was suggested thatRead More

TE INSTALITE Molded Heat-Shrink Boots reduce weight by up to 30%. TE Connectivity (TE) announced new INSTALITE Molded Boots that are up to 30% lighter than TE standard -25 boots. These high-performance molded heat-shrink boots have been designed for applications in military ground systems, aerospace, and marine. Their optimized interior geometry reduces installation time asRead More

Technology disrupters or paradigm shifts often pose serious threats to existing technology, but also open entirely new opportunities to those that recognize and espouse them. Bob Hult examines the drivers and the results when wireless connectivity cuts the cord.   Progress in just about every field of human endeavor tends to advance at a measuredRead More

At a glance, here’s a quick look at the show’s product highlights, and what CES 2015 means for the connector industry.   The 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas showcased evolutionary technology in a widening sphere of consumer electronic applications. CEA.org has projected $223 billion in US consumer electronics factory shipments of more thanRead More

The DesignCon Awards for Design & Test have been announced, and Mentor Graphics was recognized in the interconnects technologies and components category. From the 20th annual DesignCon show being held this week in Santa Clara, Calif., event organizers announced the winners of the Best in Design & Test awards, recognizing the best product advancements in electronic engineering.Read More

Evolving technologies and next-generation systems are creating new connector opportunities in homeland defense and border security.   We know that the homeland security sector comprises two parts – land and maritime border security. Evolving technologies and next-generation systems have created new growth opportunities for the connector industry in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), and theRead More

In this issue’s Facts & Figures column, the military market is showing slow growth but is still very profitable. The military connector market is large, achieving $3.2 billion in sales in 2014. The following table provides connector sales by geographic region for 2013 and 2014. The North American market, mostly US, accounts for approximately 50%Read More

With so many presentations, events, and exhibitors, you might need a few tips on navigating the show once you arrive in Santa Clara. Check out our 2015 DesignCon Short List for recommended show highlights.   Is this your first DesignCon? If so, be sure to attend the welcome breakfast on Tuesday, January 27, at 7:45 a.m.Read More

Inside Connection highlights the technologies, innovations, special services, and unique products from connector suppliers like QA Technology Company.    Headquarters Location: Hampton, New Hampshire, US About the Company When QA Technology’s founder Tom Coe started the company in 1981, he had a vision of building an organization that would provide the best quality products and services for theRead More

Delivering the optimum cable for the medical industry is much more challenging than it was just a few short years ago: It is no longer just pieces of copper within a non-conductive sleeve adapted to the application. Floyd Henry of Bioconnect examines cable material design criteria for the medical industry.     Cutting-edge cables for aerospaceRead More

There are critical steps to effectively manage – and minimize – the risk involved in the design, manufacture, and assembly of custom medical cables to ensure the cable assembly is not the system’s Achilles heel.    An impactful new medical device is released to the market, only to be recalled months later due to theRead More

The fourth quarter of 2014 showed modest growth, which may be a sign of what’s to come. Read on to learn more about Bishop & Associates’ preliminary 2015 cable assembly industry outlook. Cable assembly demand in 2014 was high through September, with year-to-date sales up almost 10% to more than $103 billion. Cable assembly demand slowedRead More