Products ranging from appliances to vehicles feature crimp contact plug connectors that are hard to access and easy to damage. In the event of a repair, a more durable connector is needed. By Andreas Aigner, Product Development Manager, Würth Elektronik eiSos Although they are really designed for permanent connections, plug connectors with crimp contacts occasionallyRead More

To satisfy evolving application demands, medical imaging interconnects are being designed to deliver higher-speed, higher-bandwidth performance in smaller, lighter, and more rugged form factors capable of higher mating cycles over longer lifetimes. Carl Bunke, ITT Cannon Field Applications Engineer Macro trends, such as an aging population, preventative care, and a shift to less invasive procedures,Read More

Specialized connectors that integrate other components save space and add capabilities. By Julie Carlson, Marketing Manager, LEMO USA Design engineers who create small, portable devices such as those used in medical and military equipment face a challenge: the need to save valuable PCB space. One popular solution is to integrate electronics into a connector. OneRead More

A how-to guide for selecting and successfully implementing high-speed connectors Michael Rock, Engineering Manager – Signal Integrity Products, AirBorn Inc. When designing applications that utilize high-speed interconnects, it’s vital to navigate around all potential speed bumps along the signal’s path. Factors including: stackups, tolerances, via design, trace widths, plating, and copper etching must be understoodRead More

A how-to guide for evaluating and specifying spring probe connectors Gina Prieto, Key Account Director, Smiths Interconnect Connectors that utilize spring probe contact technology offer a number of advantages over those that incorporate other types of contacts, including: enhanced compliance, blind mating, space savings, impressive cycle life (up to 300,000 cycles), and high misalignment tolerances. However,Read More

Opportunities are growing for connectors that can withstand radiation exposure. The term “harsh environment” takes on new meaning when we consider components made for applications that involve radiation exposure. While some of these components must also be able to withstand additional elements, such as ingress by water, chemicals, or particulates, the presence of radiation aloneRead More

Five Reasons to Consider Polycrystalline Ceramic Seals Instead of Glass Seals for Hermetic DC Connectors Rick Kalkowski, Marketing Administrator, PA&E, a Division of Hermetic Solutions Group Advancements in materials give designers new options. Even classic designs such as the venerable DC connector can be updated and improved by considering all available materials. Switching from glassRead More

A Step-by-Step Guide for Rugged Connector Selection in the Era of Ever-Increasing Data Speed and Miniaturization Demands By David Cianciolo, Engineering Director, Fischer Connectors, Inc. Connector selection has morphed from the old standby, “How many contacts do you need?” into a much more serious challenge. Today’s design engineers need to find ways to pump increasingRead More

Rugged automotive interconnects are essential for the reliable operation of automotive battery management and power delivery systems Kevin Oursler, US – Director Marketing and Business Development at ERNI Electronics, Inc. Automotive battery management systems (BMSs) continue to progress in complexity and storage capacity, challenged by architecture and interconnectivity solutions that require ruggedization and reliability criteriaRead More

Cantilever beam compression contacts for pluggable medical modules employ advanced contact materials, geometries, and designs to deliver high-reliability performance in harsh environments.  Tom Anderson, Connector Product Manager, AVX Interconnect To achieve high-reliability connectors for pluggable or disposable medical modules, design engineers must perfectly match the critical contact base material and form geometry to the intended productRead More

Guidelines for the effective selection of medical connectors By Tom Kannally, product specialist/applications engineer, Contact Technologies, Smiths Interconnect Choosing the Right Interconnect Systems for Medical Device Designs Medical devices, such as patient monitors, imaging systems, electrophysiology catheters, and other diagnostic and therapeutic systems, require dependable connectivity and accurate signal transmission. Equipment for the medical marketRead More

High-reliability, robust designs, peak performance, and simple assembly are some of the most critical connectivity requirements for high-vibration medical equipment. Alfred Lee, Business Development Manager at Hirose Electric Engineers must take many factors into consideration when designing connectors for medical equipment in high-vibration environments. From stationary high-vibration equipment, like computed tomography (CT) scanners, to portableRead More