October 2013 – In a follow-up to Dr. Bob’s article on connector wear in the last issue, his colleague Max Peel discusses the challenges of vibration in both connector and end-system designs. In the case of vibration testing, EIA requirements generally include a visual for structural integrity and monitoring for a 1.0 microsecond interruption. Occasionally low-level contact resistance or contact resistance at rated current measurements are included. This is the area for review, and change is necessary but somewhat complex.

October 2013 –  In September, John MacWilliams took us through the process of researching, compiling, and writing the iNEMI Roadmap for the electronics industry and gave us a closer look at the findings in the connector section. In this issue, MacWilliams digs deeper into the forecasts for the test & burn-in socket market, highlighting the issues critical to the evolution of these products.

September 2013 – Since connectors are a component part of evolving end-product developments, for the most part, connector research and development is tied to OEM product needs. John MacWilliams looks at the electronics industry as a whole to identify key areas of R&D that will shape end-product and component design in the coming years.

September 2013 – Once you’ve established that high-flex-life cable is appropriate for your application, you face the dilemma of choosing a supplier. Is high-flex-life cable a commodity, or does it really matter which supplier you choose?

September 2013—Talley’s FTTA+Power System saves significant installation time and money for remote radio applications.

September 2013 – Many device manufacturers utilize a strain relief for cable assemblies in medical devices to improve electrical and mechanical integrity and performance by providing a transition from a flexible cable to a rigid connector or connection point.

September 2013 – Manufacturers have slowly adopted new methods of connector termination only after years of process verification providing designerswith multiple options that feature cost-effective manufacturabilty as well as a high degree of long-term reliability.

September 2013 – A look at the latest developments in peripheral technology and a review of the resulting technology in the Samsung 500T Convertible UltraBook.

August 2013 – The Internet of Things (IoT) will allow every thing with a unique identifier to communicate over the Internet or a similar network. Microprocessors will be embedded in everyday objects and the factory floor will be no exception. How far along are these developments? And what will they mean for the connectors of the future?

MEMS and FPC: Good Things in Small Packages Connector miniaturization has enabled device manufacturers to give consumers robust devices that aggregate processing power, space, and weight savings to operate all day from packages small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. Users have come to expect thinner cell phones, lighter laptops, and tablets that canRead More

August 2013 – The 2013 iNEMI connector roadmap includes a look at technology, trends, roadblocks, infrastructure issues by region, the impact of globalization, and individual product roadmaps.

August 2013 – Implantable devices serve a variety of functions, from vascular stents that preserve blood flow, to electrostimulation devices that regulate heart rhythms, to orthopedic devices that reinforce the spine or restore hips and knees. These tiny devices are the future for many medical procedures and connector designs are responding to the highly sophisticated requirements of such precise technology.