From tiny CubeSats to SpaceVPX satellites, the night sky is full of new constellations. Selecting components that can handle launch stressors, radiation, extreme temperatures, and other space challenges is essential to the mission. In the past three years alone, so many thousands of satellites have been launched into orbit that it’s difficult to gaze intoRead More

High-reliability connectors and cable assemblies play a crucial role in ensuring the functionality and longevity of robotic systems and devices that operate in space, ocean, and downhole environments. Developing robots for deployment in harsh and unforgiving environments, from the depths of the ocean to outer space and everywhere in between, presents a unique set ofRead More

As current space systems advance and new technologies develop, the space industry will evolve drastically over the next few decades. The United States, Russia, and China have major space programs; the EU, India, Canada, Japan, and others are growing their footprint in space; and 80 countries have satellites projects. By 2040, Citigroup expects the globalRead More

The interface is now leading a global field of competitors, simplifying the EV charging process and bringing a future single standard into focus. U.S. automakers Ford and General Motors will adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector as the interface of choice for their upcoming EV models. In the days following GM’s JuneRead More

When failure is especially costly, operations demand high reliability. Designers, engineers, and suppliers are always on the search for materials that perform well under extreme conditions. Many applications subject connectors to very high pressures and high temperatures while requiring them to maintain functionality and performance for extended periods of time. When failure is especially costly,Read More

The search for lead alternatives has brought great innovation to metal work for use in electronics. Learn about advanced machining processes that produce high-quality, precision connector components. By Massimiliano Domeniconi, Vice President of Machine Sales, Mikron Corp. A few years ago, when the first stages of the European environmental law RoHS (Restriction of Certain HazardousRead More

What doesn’t break metals makes them stronger. Learn how the strategic application of stress increases strain hardening and strength in metals. Strain hardening is a common method for improving the strength of an alloy. This process, also called cold work and work hardening, uses deformation to increase the strength of the metal. By subjecting theRead More

Heavy-duty and safety-critical applications and their interconnect systems must be designed to resist mechanical stress and environmental conditions without degrading power, signal, or data transmission. Four tests help ensure high reliability. Ruggedization methods and processes apply to the entire design, engineering, and manufacturing cycle in the creation of high-performance connectivity solutions. From choosing high-quality materialsRead More

After years of pandemic disruption, the supply chain for electronic components is bouncing back. The key to future success hinges on our ability to apply what we learned during the pandemic to build dynamic supply chains that can weather the storms to come. Pandemics, natural disasters, and wars, plus labor and electronic components shortages, addRead More

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. May 2023 Connector Industry News > Event News The HARTING charging cable used in Volkswagen electric vehicles (EVs) contributed to driver Rainer Zietlow’s most recent record-breaking achievement. Zietlow, who holds multiple GuinnessRead More

Connector material selection plays a critical role in ensuring that automotive connectors deliver reliability and performance over the lifespan of a vehicle. The rigors and extremes these systems are exposed to makes it important for designers to consider many factors to specify the right solution. Electronic architectures in emerging automotive designs demand long-life, rugged connectorsRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights modular rectangular connectors from leading suppliers. Modular rectangular connectors  The N Series of mini modular, high-density connectors from Smiths Interconnect offers a variety of combinations in a single connector frame. It employs a do-it-yourself system based on the building block principle, which allows users to select the connector design thatRead More