As robots become ubiquitous and the tasks they take on grow more complex, one constant remains: they must be able to endure harsh environment conditions without interruption or performance impacts. The definition of “harsh” varies significantly across the many operating environments that require automated processes. Some robots may be working in a highly controlled cleanRead More

Understanding how connectors are manufactured can help designers and engineers make the right choices for their product designs. Electrical connectors play a huge role in the ability of electronic devices to perform complex functions in a wide variety of applications. Connectors are continually adapting to accommodate technological advances, meet new standards, withstand harsh conditions, andRead More

Meet the Connector: ZIF and LIF Connectors Zero insertion force and low insertion force connectors protect the IC from damage during mating and unmating. ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) and LIF (Low Insertion Force) connectors are used in electronic devices such as computer hardware, medical devices, robotics, and many other applications between two components, such asRead More

New technologies make this latest protocol more efficient by addressing reliability, lower latency, greater throughput, battery life, and security. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), released in 2019, is the latest wireless standard currently available. While it is faster than its predecessors, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), the main concern during its development was not actuallyRead More

The growing benefits and functionality offered by connected or intelligent devices has led to the proliferation of smart connectivity in all sectors. Precision contacts are key to design success. Keys for Selecting an Electrical Contacts Manufacturer for Smart Devices Smart connectivity has become an important function in a vast range of devices. The interconnects thatRead More

For centuries, curious minds have formulated laws of physics, mathematics, and electricity. These scientific laws formed the foundations of the modern electronics industry. Humans have been aware of electricity for thousands of years. Lightning was thought to be a tool of the gods and although gods often laid down laws, they seemed unbound by them.Read More

The results of the Bishop & Associates 2023 European Customer Satisfaction Survey of the Electronic Connector Industry are in. We reveal the top five European connector suppliers for overall best performance. Bishop & Associates has completed its 2023 European Customer Satisfaction Survey of the Electronic Connector Industry, an evaluation of 17 connector manufacturers. A total ofRead More

Meet the Connector: What is the Fieldbus Protocol? A fieldbus is a serial bus system used to exchange data between different system components over long distances and under high external load. Fieldbus is a communication protocol used in automation and control systems to facilitate real-time data exchanges between different connected devices and equipment. For example,Read More

From tiny CubeSats to SpaceVPX satellites, the night sky is full of new constellations. Selecting components that can handle launch stressors, radiation, extreme temperatures, and other space challenges is essential to the mission. In the past three years alone, so many thousands of satellites have been launched into orbit that it’s difficult to gaze intoRead More

High-reliability connectors and cable assemblies play a crucial role in ensuring the functionality and longevity of robotic systems and devices that operate in space, ocean, and downhole environments. Developing robots for deployment in harsh and unforgiving environments, from the depths of the ocean to outer space and everywhere in between, presents a unique set ofRead More

As current space systems advance and new technologies develop, the space industry will evolve drastically over the next few decades. The United States, Russia, and China have major space programs; the EU, India, Canada, Japan, and others are growing their footprint in space; and 80 countries have satellites projects. By 2040, Citigroup expects the globalRead More

A new Bishop & Associates report identifies the top 100 connector manufacturers of 2022. A deeper examining breaks the list down by region, market sector, and product type. See what companies made the cut. The world’s top 100 connector manufacturers recorded 2022 shipments of $70.049 billion, up from 2021 shipments of $66,826 billion. This representedRead More