This issue’s “Connector Basics” topic, explained by George Bedorf of APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants, is connector manufacturing process validation. Connectors are made from plastic and metal. The selection of these materials, including metal finishing, along with very precise and detailed mechanical parameters, are described on production drawings and related specifications. Connectors that meet all the specified designRead More

Connectors for the nuclear energy industry must be rugged and reliable as they are exposed to extreme chemical, temperature, and radiation conditions. Here are some tips on how to specify nuclear energy connectors. Nuclear energy demands long-term reliable solutions designed for the most severe environments. Connectors for this industry need to be rugged and reliable as they are exposedRead More

The quality of the joining processes undergone by some connectors can be a key factor in component performance. The latest article in our “Connector Basics” series by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants covers the basics of connector soldering. Many connectors and related components are subject to joining processes, which primarily involve soldering. Less commonly used joining processes includeRead More

In the latest installment of the “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants, Bill Garver takes a detailed look at the engineering phase of new product design. This article is part of the “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. In a previous article, we suggested that to ensure a successful connector development process and launch, companies need toRead More

In the latest installment of the “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants, Bill Garver takes a detailed look at the creative phase of new connector development. This article is part of the “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. In a previous article, we suggested that to ensure a successful product development andRead More

You may know molded connectors are a good option for harsh environments, but you may not know what to look for when specifying one in particular. Remke shares five things to know about molded connector construction to help you design your next solution. Remke Industries suggests five criteria to use in evaluating molded connectors for your next design: 1.Read More

To ensure a successful product launch, manufacturers need to optimize the talents of their employees to be sure critical needs are addressed. We continue the “Connector Basics” series with a look at the necessary skills for successful new connector development. This article was contributed by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. Successful new product development and releases toRead More

Connector designers understand that many variables impact contact area and how adequately the contacts do their job. This next article in the “Connector Basics” series explains why even minor increases in contact resistance matter. When a contact is mated, only a relatively small area is actually touching. All of the current must flow through this smallRead More

As data rates increase, the bandwidth of signals increases and its rise time decreases. ALL signal integrity problems get worse with higher signal bandwidth and shorter rise time. Here, Dr. Eric Bogatin examines the connector challenges for high-speed serial link applications. Thanks in part to Netflix and YouTube, which together comprise as much as 50% ofRead More

The “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants continues with an introductory look at typical connector failure modes and mechanisms. When we discuss connector failure, we need to refine the concept into two distinct components – failure modes and failure mechanisms. How do we define “failure”? Webster’s New World Dictionary lists a variety of terms, but for ourRead More

Connectors are frequently selected based on purchase price without fully considering the costs linked with using them. What do connectors really cost? This article is contributed by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. For more of its “Connector Basics” series, click here. Have you ever purchased the lowest-priced item, only to find out that the cost toRead More

Steve Ellis of Pasternack shares five things to know about semi-rigid cable assemblies. In its most basic form, a semi-rigid cable assembly is a coaxial transmission line consisting of a metal tube, typically made from copper, which forms the outer conductor with a metal wire conductor running down the center of the tube. The centerRead More