After experiencing numerous costly downtimes, Ford turned to Remke for an alternative to the hard-wired cable that connected its welding robots.      Sudden downtime of an automotive assembly line can be costly. Industry experts estimate that downtime can cost a manufacturer as much as $1 million per hour in lost revenue. Ford Motor Co.Read More

The SWaP initiative employed by the US military and NASA has helped connector manufacturers focus on improving smaller and lighter connectors, in particular for custom designs.   As we demand our circuits do more and in smaller packages, we still need reliable power and signal transfer. Today’s designers have a number of new tools andRead More

Manufacturers of rolling stock require high-quality electrical connection systems, and there is increasing demand for custom-tailored railway cabling solutions from connector manufacturers.      Like those in traditional mechanical engineering fields, manufacturers of rail vehicles face the increasing challenges of higher costs and time-to-market pressures. Electrical connections and cabling are one area where they canRead More

Infrastructure shapes mobility and influences rolling stock in much the same way that new and better highways impacted automobile design. In this excerpt from a Nexans white paper, the authors explain the latest trends in rail infrastructure and what customers will expect from cable suppliers in the future.     [quote]“Infrastructure shapes mobility. No majorRead More

The application possibilities of wireless technology in the railway industry are seemingly endless. An Industrial Ethernet network is inherently flexible and easily expandable, which makes it ideal for accommodating future trends in the transportation space.   Customer demand for a safe, entertaining, and enjoyable travel experience is dramatically increasing. Rail travelers today, whether riding onRead More

The Specialist, TTI’s secret weapon, sat down with us to chat about connector specification, mil/aero connector trends, and his passion for interconnects.   Q: What drew you to the intrigue of the electronics industry? How did you begin your work with TTI? A: As a child, I grew up working with my father in hisRead More

Research and Markets expects the global military manpack and vehicular radio market to grow, driven by the rise of portable equipment, most notably chargers. Research firm Research and Markets announced its research findings for the global military manpack and vehicular radios market during the 2016 – 2020 period, during which it forecasts a CAGR of 4.59%. “TheRead More

ITT Cannon received European standard certification for aluminum and composite D38999 Series III circular connectors, certified in the United States under MIL-DTL-38999.    ITT Cannon’s D38999 Series III circular connectors have received European standard certification (EN3645). The certification was received after rigorous testing, site audits, and data collection by the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association ofRead More

Military tech advancements for 2016 will sharpen situational awareness and expand capabilities for the warfighter.      Across the Department of Defense, many research and development programs are finding it necessary to change direction in order to adapt to budget cuts. Program managers, expected to advance technology while spending less money, are rising to theRead More

Space technology for electronic systems has evolved to meet the needs of long-range performance in extreme physical and environmental situations. From launch to deep space travel, the demands can be daunting, considering they cannot fail and cannot be repaired.   On August 6, 2015, the world sat still, quietly awaiting word of a Mars landing,Read More

We spoke with Bob Zubrickie of TE Connectivity about the possibilities that lay ahead for 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as well as the role connector technology will play in future developments.     Q: What is additive manufacturing, and where is it in the development stage in general industry? How quickly will it comeRead More

Are craft beer and automation compatible? While the beverage industry long ago automated manufacturing and packaging operations, today’s craft breweries pride themselves on the personal touch. Is there a place for factory automation in small-batch brewing?   Over the past fifteen years or so, the American beer market has seen a rapid expansion of smallRead More