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

Low-cost plug in or balcony solar panels and distributed energy resources are poised to help consumers lower their energy bills in the next grid revolution. Despite fluctuating government policies and tariffs, photovoltaic installations are growing exponentially around the world, from utility scale arrays to innovative small residential formats. In 2025, solar generation grew by 636Read More

Advanced solar energy systems are enabling efficient and reliable power for technologies and facilities in remote or off-grid environments. These technologies are advancing energy independence into rural areas, harsh environments, temporary installations, disaster zones, and other locations where power is needed and generators are unavailable.   Article Contributed By Mouser Electronics  In an era where sustainabilityRead More

Connectors used in oilfields face temperatures that warp plastics, chemicals that eat seals, vibrations that shake contacts loose, and electrical interference that can turn vital data into noise. Distributors can help find rugged solutions. Article Contributed by TTI Inc., Jim McNeil, General Manager Walk into a design review for an oilfield project and you willRead More

Carrier connectivity extends from the computing resources behind freight optimization and tracking software to IoT systems that keep an eye on the cargo to the heavy-duty interconnects that empower the freight vehicles that move packages, materials, animals, and goods around the world. From connectors to antennas, a full array of interconnects is involved in theseRead More

Energy storage systems and uninterruptible power supplies have become integral parts of industrial environments. Vehicles and equipment that require power, such as autonomous mobile robots and AGVs, put the focus on power connectors. Article Contributed by JAE High-current connections in industrial equipment traditionally meant bolted busbars or screw-terminal blocks. However, these solutions required assembly time,Read More

Crimp terminals, a solderless connection option, enable the rapid, consistent, and reliable connections that are essential for mass production and high-vibration environments. A crimp terminal is a solderless electrical connector for terminating stranded wire used to join wires and components. The crimp terminal has a metal barrel that, with the use of a crimping tool, getsRead More

It’s one thing to put a product through the rigors of lab testing. It’s another matter entirely to see how it performs in the real world. Connector companies work with nurses and other end users to develop products that support healthcare providers in challenging medical environments. It’s always important to consider user input and experience in interconnect design, butRead More

Medical fiber and hybrid connectors are often chosen for bandwidth and EMI immunity, but real service life is shaped just as much by cleaning, handling, strain, and repeated mating cycles. Strategic connector design features help ensure their reliability in real clinical environments. Article contributed by David Kuklinkski,Fiber Optics Solutions Engineer, and Jessica Tropea, Customer SolutionsRead More

A power orthotics startup worked with Würth Elektronik to develop a powerful new solution for the 100 million people living with limited hand mobility. Article Contributed by: Würth Elektronik Würth Elektronik partnered with Mannheim startup Powered Orthotics to engineer a medical-grade wearable solution for the 100 million people worldwide living with limited hand function. Stroke,Read More

One of the greatest engineering challenges facing military and aerospace systems is extreme temperature. Connectors must withstand severe heat and cold, as well as sudden temperature changes and other harsh conditions, while maintaining electrical integrity throughout the mission. For decades, aerospace and defense systems have been required to operate in some of the harshest environmentsRead More

There’s a frustrating pattern familiar for anyone who has operated or worked on commercial trucks, agricultural machinery, or construction equipment: a fault appears, the vehicle goes into the shop, technicians run diagnostics and find nothing. The fault code is gone, and the connection looks fine. The vehicle goes back into service, and within days orRead More

Connector modularity lets engineers dynamically scale SWaP requirements to their needs while maximizing maintainability through field serviceability. Article Contributed By Clint Schlosser, Product Manager, Winchester Interconnect For the emerging small-satellite industry servicing LEO constellations as well as the UAS sector, development teams are often faced with two competing goals: designing to highly demanding performance specificationsRead 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