As electronics enable a new generation of portable medical devices, opportunities are increasing for manufacturers of these unique connectors and sensors. Connectors and Sensors for the Medical Market In addition to the universe of general-purpose connectors, more specialized interfaces fill important niches. These connectors are designed with specific features that satisfy the unique requirements ofRead More
A multitude of requirements compel manufacturers to default to worldwide commonality. EU regulations, such as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals), the US Dodd-Frank Law (involving Conflict Minerals), and California’s Proposition 65 (currently listing over 800 chemicals that must be flagged), affect composition, processing, costs, and supplyRead More
The Smarter Cities initiative makes connectivity part of the transportation infrastructure. For car commuters, drive time is a period of lost productivity. For those who use mass transit, however, those hours can become part of the workday, enabling employees to flex their schedules, check into meetings from offsite, and communicate with colleagues. All they needRead More
A network of sensors is constantly gathering information about performance, vehicle health, and other metrics in today’s high-performance autos. Paul Webb, Global Product Manager for Autosport, TE Connectivity On the road and on the racetrack, just knowing how fast you’re traveling is no longer enough. Your car generates a lot of data while on theRead More
Connectivity and autonomy in next-generation autos is creating lots of data that will be sent to data centers, fostering a new market for connector makers. The explosion of electronics in vehicles continues to drive solid growth in the market for connectors. Typically, we think of these as harsh-environment connectors that can meet the rigorous demandsRead More
Trucking industry trends all point to a solid market for high-reliability connectors. Nearly every trend in commercial trucking is fueling increased demand for connectors. The move to hybrid and electric vehicles isn’t limited to automotive. Heavy, long-haul trucks are moving in this direction too, creating a need for high-power connectors. The expanding role of LEDsRead More
Falling prices on LEDs mean solid-state lighting is poised to displace bulbs, opening markets for connectors while altering wiring and electronic architectures. Automotive LEDs The automotive industry is ramping up its adoption of LED lighting. Falling prices, improving brightness, and integration with next-generation electric and safety systems are making this once-niche lighting option a mainstreamRead More
Smaller connector designs pushed by the cellphone world find a new home in portable and scaled-down gaming devices. Gaming Connectors Evolve For decades, young people have had their first exposure to connectors through gaming equipment. Although the vast array of electronics contained in these systems are hidden within the consoles and peripherals, perhaps no otherRead More
Consumers and businesses want to be able to repair the products they have invested in. Industry says no. If you are an engineer and your phone — or toaster, TV, or printer — is on the fritz, you’ve got two options: Tinker with it or toss it. But most people only have one option, andRead More
Pete Doyon, VP, Product Management, Schleuniger, Inc. NASA developed laser wire stripping in the 1970s as part of the Space Shuttle program. This technology made it possible to use smaller sized wires with thinner insulations without the risk of the damage that can be caused by traditional mechanical wire stripping methods. Laser wire stripping technologyRead More
Are companies investing enough in R&D? Or have we reached peak innovation? Technology companies like to talk about the amount of resources they apply to research and design. If you want to be a leader in today’s fast-growing market segments, you need to constantly upgrade existing products or introduce new ones. Research is the wellheadRead More
How did data centers do during the recent spate of disasters? Just fine, thanks to good planning. The cloud is a great repository for critical information, but in the event of a fire, hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster, that information is only as safe as the data center in which it’s stored. This summer, disastersRead More
