The top 10 connector manufacturers collectively achieved $43.185 billion in recorded shipments sales in 2021, an increase of +19.3% from 2020 shipments of $36.211 billion. Every year, Bishop & Associates takes a comprehensive look at the connector industry in all its complexity, evaluating the activities of more than 750 connector suppliers over both the pastRead More
To reduce heat and improve speeds, twinax cable assemblies are replacing PCBs in next-generation datacom equipment. The links inside a switch that connect the quad small form factor pluggables (QSFPs) at the faceplate to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) at the heart of the box have become signal superhighways. The capacity and the number of I/ORead More
Growing interest in robotic soldering within the PCB assembly industry is leading to increased demand for robotic soldering equipment and applications. Learn how this soldering technique can bring production, performance, and cost benefits. Robotic soldering is emerging as a powerful PCB assembly tool. Not only is this method more efficient than hand soldering but itRead More
High-speed, compact, and powerful new connectivity solutions for Industrial Ethernet-based networks make it easy to upgrade existing cabling. The concept behind Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) touches all industries. From process control and automotive assembly to robotics and the food and beverage industry, data collection empowers smart factories, suppliers, and customersRead More
A new market research report by Bishop & Associates examines this essential electronics market to understand its successes and challenges, plus a forecast for the cable assembly industry’s future. The global cable assembly industry continues to expand at a rapid rate. For 2021, Bishop & Associates recorded incredible growth in every major region. In 2022Read More
The new Class 4 UL classification standard was published in August 2022 in Article 726 of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), specifically for Class 4 cables intended for use with fault-managed power systems. These requirements cover 60-250 °C (140-482 °F), single- and multiple-conductor, jacketed cables for use as fixed wiring within buildings. Class 4 Power, alsoRead More
The unique connectivity requirements of the aerospace market continue to motivate ongoing innovation. Minimal size and weight, resistance to shock and vibration, high data rate speeds, and high reliability are critical attributes for even the smallest components in aircraft. The MIL-DTL-38999 series of connectors has been around since the 1960s. Its smaller contacts and higherRead More
Hermetic connectors protect critical electronic systems from harsh environments. Designing in these specialized components requires strategic planning to reduce costs, mitigate risks, increase performance, and maximize longevity. Look up. Millions of hermetic connectors are in the skies above us, creating essential links between cables and electronic circuits in aerospace and defense systems. Found in satellites,Read More
New ruggedized connector solutions reach for the stars with materials and designs that deliver high reliability, flexibility, cost-savings, and meet the strict qualifications for top performance in space. From high vibration and shock during launch, to extreme temperatures, radiation, and electrostatic discharge (ESD), equipment leaving Earth’s atmosphere must endure exceptional rigors, making ultra-high reliability theRead More
Electronic power and signal connectors will play a key role in the exploration, development, management, and distribution of sustainable energy production. A funny thing happened on the way to American energy production independence. Reducing our reliance on not-so-friendly foreign countries for such a critical resource had become a national security priority. Starting around 2009, aRead More
With the advancement of cobots, increased safety concerns, and the need to reduce downtime and costs, there is a much greater demand for networking automation in production facilities. In today’s factory and warehouse environment, the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, collected, analyzed, and stored continues to grow. This trend is creating aRead More
Updated: July 2024 Smart connectivity has grown out of the need for better information gathering. Sensors allow more data than ever to be collected at the source and transmitted to stakeholders where it can be analyzed quickly for decision-making, troubleshooting, maintenance, safety, and other critical functions. Sophisticated sensors are employed to gather and transmit specific,Read More
