Internal combustion engines continue to fuel the market, pushing connector designers to improve reliability for components destined for harsh under-hood environments. By Terry Costlow Many factors are changing the types of connectors used in the auto industry, but for the foreseeable future, products made for powertrains are going to remain fairly immune to major changes.Read More
Connector products are evolving to accommodate the new technologies that make the 21st century automobile an incredible machine. By Tom Anderson, Connector Product Manager, AVX Interconnect Electronic systems are behind the latest safety, efficiency, reliability, and drive experience innovations that have transformed cars in recent years. From improved connection options to durable new materials andRead More
Connectors that carry fluid or air through a bore, paired with connectors that carry signal and power, are a critical component in modern medicine. Electronic connectors typically handle power and signal. In the world of medical equipment, however, connectors can often take on additional jobs, carrying fluid, gases, and light. These specialty or hybrid connectors, whichRead More
Electrical connectors play a key role in advancing product capabilities and ensuring consistent, reliable performance in medical electrical and electronic equipment, especially in today’s IT- enabled and interoperable world. By Patrick Kinyanjui, Principal Engineer, Fischer Connectors, Inc. Connectors are an important element to consider when developing a risk assessment for a new or updated device.Read More
Networks of fully programmable wire processing equipment enable enhanced efficiency and faster changeovers, eliminate operator error, reduce lead times and WIP jobs, and improve traceability. Pete Doyon, VP Product Management, Schleuniger Inc. The wire processing industry has experienced significant changes and improvements over the course of the last 30 years, many of which were madeRead More
Observers have claimed Fibre Channel, which powers Storage Area Networks (SANs), has been in decline for years, replaced by newer, faster standards. But innovations in storage network software and infrastructure may help keep demand for Fibre Channel and its dedicated connectors and cables alive. By Neil Shurtz Computing applications are continuing to grow in complexity.Read More
The Consortium for On-Board Optics (COBO) has released the industry’s first on-board optics specification. What does this mean for you? In April 2018, the Consortium for On-Board Optics (COBO) released its first specification for optics that reside on the motherboard. COBO has specified modules capable of 400G and 800G rates. The designs will also supportRead More
A speck of dust can spell disaster for a fiber network. The correct cleaning methods make all the difference in protecting the optical signal. By Mike Jones, Vice-President, MicroCare Corp. When optical networks are exposed to even miniscule amounts of contamination, performance can suffer. In typical operating conditions, dust and debris can accumulate on the fiberRead More
Hyperboloid contacts improve contact density, mating force, functionality, and cycle-life in high-density rectangular connectors designed for mil/aero applications. Robert Lascelles, Product Manager – integraMate®, QA Technology Company, Inc. Rectangular Connectors In mil/aero applications, high-line-count rectangular connectors are often used as the interface between PCBs, between internal subassemblies, at input-output bulkheads, and between the equipment andRead More
Supremely durable space-grade connectors help us explore the next frontier. By Caroline Hayes Today, thousands of commercial satellites circle the globe to enable the telecommunications needed to implement the Internet of Things. They are also used for navigation systems and research projects, like the European Space Agency’s Galileo global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and Copernicus,Read More
Many manufacturers offer solutions for challenging mil/aero environments with harsh conditions and strict requirements. By Rob Toenies, Product Manager, Newark element14 Connectivity is the lifeblood of today’s technology-driven world. This multifaceted term has many dimensions, referencing technology extending from the internet and data networks to home appliances and devices of all sizes. In the military/aerospaceRead More
Molex examines the benefits of integrated fiber optics vs. copper cable assemblies in mission-critical systems. Thomas Heller, Account Manager, Aerospace and Defense, Molex The world’s most complex technologies are deployed in critical mission command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Military and civil aerospace markets cover a spectrum of high-bandwidth fiber optic applications rangingRead More
