This week’s Product Roundup highlights SC/LC Fiber from leading suppliers. SC/LC Fiber Phoenix Contact offers a portfolio of fiber optic connectors and patch cords. SC connectors feature easy mounting, push-pull technology with an option for a duplex connector for LAN, energy, and industry applications. LC connectors feature high packing density with an option for aRead More

A smart ferry equipped with sensors and LoRaWAN gateways can track and monitor passenger comfort and cargo for a sustainable and reliable supply chain. Figure 1 The Stena Line ferry, MV Hollandica is equipped with a dual-band network using Semtech’s LoRa devices in the LongAP Pro gateway. (Image courtesy of SkyLab) Equipping the Smart FerryRead More

Design engineers must overcome many connectivity challenges when handling high voltage and high current levels in electric rotorcraft and urban air mobility (UAM) applications. Electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, rotorcraft, and personal air vehicles (PAVs) employ significant amounts of electrical power to enable vehicle takeoff and maintain flight. As a result, design engineersRead More

The connector industry achieves a new industry record for sales in 2022. Connector Industry Sales 2022 The connector industry achieved full year 2022 sales growth of +7.8%, reaching global sales of $84.1 billion. This is a new industry record for sales. The following table displays 2022 sales results by geographic region. It is interesting toRead More

Meet the Connector: ISOBUS ISOBUS specifies a method of interoperability between electronics systems for agricultural and forestry equipment, greatly simplifying the process of connecting equipment from different manufacturers. Also known as ISO11783, this standard specifies a method of interoperability between electronics systems for heavy duty equipment types that use separable implements. Technical development of theRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights interconnect products manufactured by IRIS-certified manufacturers. IRIS-Certified REP series from Smiths Interconnect is designed for quick and easy mating. The REP panel and cable connectors are a simple, reliable, and highly cost-effective interconnect system for rail applications. A full plastic solution offered in either wire attachment or PCB mounting options provides rapidRead More

After two years of pandemic disruption, this year’s high-speed trade show rebounded with an impressive array of smaller, cooler, and faster than ever interconnects. The 28th edition of DesignCon convened at the Santa Clara Convention Center January 31 through February 2, marking the return to its traditional venue and time slot. Concerns that recent techRead More

Industry 4.0. Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT, Smart Factory. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are generation-defining trends that are changing manufacturing. Connectors play an important role in enabling the future of industrial automation. That raises the question: how can a single component play such a huge role in revolutionizing the entire manufacturing process?  More thanRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights terminal blocks from leading suppliers. Terminal Blocks The new XTV terminal blocks from Phoenix Contact can accommodate the direct insertion of conductor types: ferruled, solid, or stranded wires. The XTV series is the first product family to feature Push-X connection technology. Push-X operates similarly to Phoenix Contact’s popular Push-in TechnologyRead More

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. February 2023 Connector Industry News February 2023 Connector Industry News > Award News HARTING was honored with the “Best of Industry Award” for Han-Modular Domino Modules by Maschinen Markt (Vogel Communications Group). OnlineRead More

New developments in artificial intelligence are making computer-assisted surgery more precise, less invasive, and more successful than ever. Artificial Intelligence in Computer-Assisted Surgery Computer-assisted surgery, also called image-guided surgery (IGS), has been a key player in the operating room for more than two decades. IGS provides surgeons with real-time 3-D images of body structures, includingRead More

Meet the Connector: Spring Probes (Contact Probes) Spring probes, also called contact probes or spring-loaded probes, are an essential component in the testing of electronic components. In Test & Measurement applications, they are used to make contact with test points, connecting the DUT (device under test) with the test equipment. Spring probes are also usedRead More