Route or fleet vehicles operate near continuously under harsh environment conditions. As electrification expands in this market, it’s critical that connectors can endure the influence of high voltages as well as the rigors of the road. Commercial vehicles operate in uncontrolled environments, subject to heat, moisture, vibration, and dust. For fleet or route vehicles, suchRead More

Every lidar application requires connectivity. Choosing the right connectors starts with understanding the environment that the technology will operate in. Lidar technology has grown into a highly competitive and rapidly evolving industry. Its use in vehicle applications has enabled systems like ADAS, autonomous transportation systems, and  diverse applications ranging from traffic management and pedestrian monitoringRead More

As transportation technologies evolve, the connectors that have served the industry well for decades are being joined by a new generation of small, lightweight, versatile, and powerful interconnects.  Many connectors for vehicles that designers and manufacturers rely on have been on the market for decades. Modern cars, light trucks, and motorcycles include legacy connectors throughoutRead More

Online configuration tools are changing the way we specify connectors. 3D modules help designers create the right product for their application. Board-to-board connectors are designed to connect two PCBs with precisely controlled spacing in between. For example, when customizing a pin header, numerous parameters must be considered, such as number of pins, pin length, andRead More

From seed to harvest, a range of digitalized heavy equipment and small electronic technologies are changing the way forests are managed. Around 15 billion trees are cut down each year to meet humanity’s need for lumber, fuel, and paper products, as well as to clear forests for new construction and agriculture. Meanwhile, 1.8 billion newRead More

Also known as shells, backshells, blocks, or bodies, these sub-components are much more than just a simple piece of metal or plastic. Housings are the metal or plastic portions that encompass the raw connector. They may also be referred to as shells, backshells, blocks, or bodies. But let’s not oversimplify things. These sub-components are muchRead More

Battery packs and other attachments used with mobile applications must demonstrate UL certification that coincides with that of the main equipment body. Maximize UL Voltage Ratings in Electrical Devices Power and control devices for transportation applications are designed with specific application voltage ratings in mind. The components used to electrically connect this equipment must alsoRead More

Core rail interconnect innovations have supported transportation industry goals to provide faster, safer, and more comfortable services. By Chiara Pieri, Marcom Manager, Tom Kannally, Product Specialist – Connectors, Riadh Gazdallah, Commercial Connectors Product Manager, Smiths Interconnect The need and desire for faster, safer, and more comfortable rail services has grown significantly in the past twoRead More

Rail and other connected mobile systems depend on control devices that meet specific UL guidelines. Coordinating components can maximize actual achievable voltage levels. Power and control devices for mobility applications are designed with specific application voltage ratings in mind. The components used to electrically connect these devices to mobile equipment, from elevators to rail systems,Read More

The classic circular connector design is available with a wide range of materials, coupling mechanisms, and protection levels to reliably serve applications that operate in harsh environments.  Power, signal, and high-speed data are essential to the nervous system of modern electronics, and secure interconnect coupling mechanisms are critical to the reliability and integrity of theirRead More

Heavy-duty machinery is essential for a range of energy, infrastructure, and development projects. Today, construction equipment is including more smart technologies and the interconnect solutions in these powerful machines need to facilitate high-level connectivity under rugged conditions. A period of massive construction and redevelopment is about to transform the global built environment. New roads, bridges,Read More

Off-highway vehicles require heavy-duty connectors that can handle demanding power requirements, withstand the elements, and stay connected through the jostling and vibrations that this rugged category of vehicles experiences in the field. Off-highway vehicles used for construction, agriculture, mining, or other demanding applications require connectors that differ significantly from those used in consumer vehicles. JustRead More