Robotics, AI, automated production, and simulation technologies are transforming the automotive production line with new implications for connector selection, wire harness design, and vehicle architectures. Even engineers deeply embedded in vehicle manufacturing can’t believe how quickly artificial intelligence and automation are changing the assembly line. When Dr. Nick Liu, TE Connectivity’s senior director of systemsRead More

As connector form factors multiply and lead-free alloys become the norm, the mechanical transfer machine production is being pushed to its limits. CNC integration offers a solution for high-volume pin and socket production. Article contributed by MIKRON The rotary transfer machine is at the center of connector manufacturing. Capable of cycling through dozens of machiningRead More

Automotive composite wire (ACW) is a dual-wall, single-core wire used in vehicle wire harnesses for engine compartments and other high-temperature zones. Its insulation combines a radiation cross-linked polyolefin inner layer with a radiation cross-linked fluoropolymer outer layer. The two layers are chemically bonded rather than co-extruded in a thin-wall package. It is a cost-effective alternativeRead More

As the data humans create and consume reaches once unimaginable volumes, a new nomenclature has been created to describe it. Carl Sagan, the eminent American astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, science communicator, author, and professor, invited people to imagine the huge number of stars in our galaxy. His famous quote, “billions upon billions of stars,”Read More

This week’s product roundup highlights FFC and FPC connector solutions from top suppliers. I-PEX Connectors’ DW5 two-way FPC and discrete wire connectors can accommodate 0.2mm-thick (±0.3mm) FPC cables or 34AWG discrete wire using the same PCB and receptacle combination, making them ideal for use in a variety of space-constrained portable electronics, including laptop screens. TheseRead More

This week’s product roundup highlights some of the highest-performance compression connector products currently available on the market. Compression Connector Products AVX Interconnect’s 9155-400 Series two-piece battery connectors have a 4mm pitch and a unique angled contact lead-in on both sides, which, unlike most other connectors in this category, allows pluggable devices to engage from eitherRead More

Connector suppliers provide insight into this evolving connectivity market. As the smart home market evolves, devices are shifting from standalone operation to highly integrated system architectures and a wide range of connected appliances that incorporate smart energy systems and security monitoring. These applications rely on stable data transmission and long-term operational reliability. In this environment,Read More

The current carrying capacity of a connector is not a fixed absolute value; it is always the result of a thermal consideration. Since insulating materials, contact springs, and plating systems are specified only up to a certain temperature limit, the permissible current must be reduced as the ambient temperature increases. This relationship is exactly whatRead More

From live theater and recorded music to video wall backdrops, connectors and cables play an essential role in the entertainment industry. To make sure the show goes on, these components must be rugged as well as precise and evolve to meet the latest trends in media. Before Brant Mathiason worked in the connector industry, heRead More

Starting a new FPGA project typically requires a custom form factor, pinout, and thermal concept for every design. Now the Standardization Group for Embedded Technologies (SGET)’s new Open Harmonized FPGA Module, or oHFM, puts a new high-speed board-to-board interconnect at the center of the design. A new standardized interface is changing the way FPGA applicationsRead More

Engineers frequently devote significant attention to processors, sensors, and software from the outset of a project, with connector selection sidelined until the later stages. However, the importance of electrical connectors cannot be underestimated: a single compromised connection can interrupt power delivery, corrupt data transmission, or bring equipment to a standstill. Article Contributed By Thisen BirdRead More

Power D or Combo D-subs are specialized mixed-layout connectors that combine standard signal contacts with larger contacts for power, coax (RF), or high voltage in one shielded, locking, D-shaped shell. Some product lines also add fiber-optic contacts. The two names are often used interchangeably; however, some manufacturers use “Power-D” and “Combo-D” to distinguish products inRead More

One solution is higher voltage systems that reduce wire size and require less copper. Off-road transportation, such as work trucks, construction vehicles, and agricultural equipment, rely on battery systems that power everything in the vehicle. This includes the sensors sending signals back and forth to monitor all parts of the vehicle, as well as theRead More

When designing industrial and commercial transportation vehicles with high-voltage batteries and related systems, manufacturers and system integrators face an important question: Is a high voltage interlock, or HVIL, necessary at every high-voltage interface? Article Contributed By Daniel Domke, Senior Manager, Product Management, Industrial & Commercial Transportation, TE Connectivity For trucks, buses, construction equipment, and miningRead More

A South Florida railway operator wanted to update crossing signals along its system. With the help of a connector supplier, they found a solution that went even further, improving system reliability, longevity, functionality, and safety, while saving money. Article Contributed By Barry Nelson, WAGO Connected technologies are transforming the railroad industry. From electrification and high-speedRead More

Medical devices require connectivity that is safe for operators and patients, while maintaining signal integrity and performance. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) are major concerns for electrical engineers in the design and use of electronic equipment. Any environment with multiple electronic devices has the potential for EMI. In the medical arena, which oftenRead More

Robots and automated installations play a key role in industry by performing a variety of tasks that require precision, speed, and endurance. Their main tasks include automating manufacturing processes such as welding, painting, and assembly, increasing efficiency by working faster and error-free, and increasing occupational safety as they can perform dangerous or repetitive tasks. AutomatedRead More

The input/output panel of AI equipment is a prime example of how evolving demands have spawned the introduction of alternative solutions that address bandwidth demand, signal density, field serviceability, energy efficiency, thermal management, and utilization of both copper and fiber optic options. Most people would agree that having multiple choices to solve a problem isRead More

Dielectric multilayer ceramic capacitors are used in payload systems and satellite launchers, as well as for many internal cockpit displays. In 2015, AVX Corporation, now KYOCERA AVX, became the first company to be recognized as a qualified supplier of space-level base metal electrode (BME) X7R dielectric multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for use in aerospace designsRead More

Aviation innovation has followed a predictable trajectory: incremental efficiency gains layered onto combustion-based propulsion. Now, electric and hybrid-electric aircraft are becoming central to aviation’s future. Article Contributed By Stuart Steadman, Senior Principal Engineer at TE Connectivity For more than a century, aviation innovation has followed a predictable trajectory: incremental efficiency gains layered onto combustion-based propulsion.Read More

The MIL-DTL-27599 specification covers two series (Series I and Series II) of miniature, high density, quick disconnect, bayonet coupling, circular, environment resistant electrical connectors. They are intermateable with the applicable Series I and Series II connectors of MIL-DTL-38999. Series I mates with 38999 Series I, and Series II mates with 38999 Series II. Technical StandardRead More

Introduced at OFC 2026, the new XPO pluggable modules provide a solution to the challenges of signal density, thermal management, field serviceability, and power efficiency. Continuing advances in artificial intelligence face multiple constraints including power consumption, access to memory, thermal management, and limitations of copper connectivity. Solving these challenges could still result in hobbled systemsRead More

Characterization and modeling of connector losses in internal connector interfaces. Article Contributed By Baptiste Bouix, Product Manager, Würth Elektronik When two or more PCBs need to be interconnected, designers must select the appropriate connectors for their application. However, choosing the wrong connector can compromise the entire design. Larger pitches like 0.8 mm and 1.0 mmRead More

Whitworth Scholarships support the engineering careers of apprentices by helping to fund their education. In 1841, Sir Joseph Whitworth, an English engineer, entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist, devised the British Standard Whitworth (BSW), the world’s first screw thread standard. The BSW was widely accepted throughout the United Kingdom and internationally, influencing engineering practices globally, and formingRead More

This week’s product roundup highlights RF connector solutions from top suppliers. I-PEX Connectors’ MHF® I LK Connector System delivers simple, secure connections in applications exposed to high shock and vibration, including: automobiles, aircraft, and drones, and is the only RF connector/harness system with a built-in locking feature that doesn’t require epoxy or tape to keepRead More

This week’s product roundup highlights push-pull connectors from leading suppliers. Heilind Electronics offers the MediSpec™ Medical Plastic Circular (MPC) Interconnect System from Molex, which delivers high-reliability electrical performance especially designed to meet stringent medical standards at a fraction of the cost of competing machined-contact systems. This system features lightweight, medical-grade plastic housings compatible with autoclave,Read More

This week’s product roundup highlights some of the most robust, reliable, and highest-performance wire and cable products available on today’s market. Stewart Connector’s SealJack™ Cable Applied Series preassembled cable assemblies provide high-reliability connectivity in harsh-environment Ethernet applications, including those within the IoT umbrella. They can be customized with IP67 and RJ45 ends using CAT 5eRead More