While secondary sourcing can be a viable option to mitigate supply chain interruptions, many connectors for today’s automobiles are so specialized that finding a second source can mean a whole new set of challenges. The “supply chain” is the process by which a company creates and distributes its products and services to the end users. The execution begins whenRead More
The intelligent networking of industrial devices promises to deliver productivity gains, but not all manufacturers are ready to make the leap to the smart factory. Connecting efficiency and productivity is key for the future of the industrial sector. As the buzz about “Industry 4.0” grows louder, many people believe it may be just around the corner, butRead More
Today, China is dominant in high-volume, low-mix manufacturing, yet there is a groundswell of activity to return manufacturing to North America and Europe. John MacWilliams asks: Is there an insourcing movement afoot? The contract manufacturing movement started in the late ’80s. This outsourcing movement freed up OEM resources so they could concentrate on product design and marketing, andRead More
Elimination of solder from electronic circuit assembly has been suggested as one way to avoid solder’s many shortcomings. Here, Joe Fjelstad makes the case for solderless assembly. Soldering is a key step in the manufacturing process of electronic assemblies and has been since the earliest days of the electronics industry. It is also one ofRead More
As part of the Connector Basics series, APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants have introduced us to the phases of new connector development and defined the skills needed for each. In this installment, Bill Garver and George Bedorf discuss the required skills for the manufacturing phase of connector development. In a previous article, it was suggested thatRead More
The quality of the joining processes undergone by some connectors can be a key factor in component performance. The latest article in our “Connector Basics” series by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants covers the basics of connector soldering. Many connectors and related components are subject to joining processes, which primarily involve soldering. Less commonly used joining processes includeRead More
When an end product fails due to a faulty connector, the team that takes the blame may not be the group that was ultimately responsible for the final purchasing choice. In the end, who owns connector selection responsibility? Many times, when a field problem is tied to specific connector, the question asked is, “Who selectedRead More
September 2013 – Industrial robots are a common sight on the factory floor, particularly in automotive markets. They offer high-precision handling and speed, and reduce operator risk, such as worker exposure to hazardous materials, and to production dangers in general. In the near future, industrial robots will include those that cooperate with humans, instead of replacing them. This will open up new potential for utilizing robots in factories and in the agricultural market, as well as for domestic purposes.
May 21, 2013 – A record number of industrial robots were sold in 2011, with a worldwide increase of 38% over 2010, reaching 166,000 units. Arthur Visser looks at the potential for industrial robots in 2012 and beyond.
June 11, 2013 – The name Weller has long stood for innovative solutions in soldering. Recently, it published this list of suggestions for the care and use of soldering tips, to prolong the tips’ lives and maintain superior performance.
May 2, 2013—Foxconn is said to have received the first batch of 10,000 robots.
October 16, 2012 – Industrial communication products from leading connectivity manufacturers enable automation machines and devices to communicate with each other using a variety of protocols. Tom Schoder of Molex explains the latest advances in connector technology for industrial automation.
