Several trends were apparent at last week’s DesignCon 2017 conference. Foremost among them was the advance of copper solutions that include wiring as an alternative to PCB traces.   DesignCon 2017 opened amid a thoroughly drenched Bay Area, but did not deter more than 5,000 attendees to this premier exhibition of leading edge electronic design,Read More

Microcontrollers and sensors are generally seen as the dominant devices leading the growth of automotive electronics. But basic electromechanical components like connectors are key enablers in the drive to add more features and functions.   The digital revolution in autos wouldn’t be possible without continued improvements in connectors, which are seeing stable growth. The connectorRead More

Miniature, high-reliability interconnect products with enhanced resistance to shock, vibration, and ingress provide essential electrical and mechanical connections between the wires, cables, PCBs, IC packages, and batteries critical to the operation of an increasingly interconnected system of intelligent automotive technologies. Check out this week’s product roundup for some of the latest and most impactful introductionsRead More

Technical sessions at DesignCon 2017 in Santa Clara will examine next-generation technologies for speedy, compact connectors, while booths on the show floor will give users a place to see the newest commercial implementations for a broad range of applications.   The soaring demand for more data is putting pressure on connector makers who need toRead More

Interconnect News for January 2017   Events DesignCon will return to the Santa Clara Convention Center January 31 – February 2, 2017. In addition to technical paper sessions, industry panels, product demos, and exhibits from leading industry experts and solutions providers, this year’s conference will offer a range of programming dedicated to the education andRead More

Robots are rolling into new applications, from personal companions to an expanding industrial base. Their complexity and ranges of motion make rugged connectors a pivotal component. Mention robots to most people today and they think in terms of humanoids similar to those featured in movies such as Star Wars and ExMachina. Few would think thatRead More

GM is investing $1 billion in US factories, possibly foretelling a strong market for industrial products. Record setting robot sales also portend growth for connector makers that focus on the severe demands for ruggedized components.   A General Motors plan to invest $1 billion in its US factories may herald an expansion in manufacturing. TheRead More

Medical Connector Product Roundup for January 2017   Smiths Connectors’ D Series quick-disconnect, plastic circular connectors deliver durable, high reliability connections in medical applications as diverse as: electrophysiology catheters, patient monitors, MRI machines, intravascular ultrasound devices, defibrillators, infusion pumps, and laboratory equipment. Available in three sizes with varying numbers of Hypertac® hyperboloid, power, signal, powerRead More

Joint efforts ensure compatible products from multiple sources   The complexity of high-end electronics creates many opportunities for hardware and/or software problems, while pricing and time to market pressures create problems for those tasked with setting up the supply chain. For the connector world, the merger of these trends often means that second sources needRead More

Connector makers upgraded lines, extended product families and unveiled new interfaces to meet customer demands for increased circuit density and higher data rates.   2016 Connector Trends In a continuation of trends we’ve seen for several years now, a host of faster, smaller, and more affordable electronic components propelled the connector industry forward in 2016. ConnectorRead More

Fiber has traditionally been the go-to solution for long-distance, high-speed communication links. Fiber optic cable offers huge advantages of bandwidth, low attenuation, and reduced size and weight to transmit hundreds of data channels over a single glass fiber. Look to these suppliers for the products you need. Fiber Optic Cable Fiber has traditionally been theRead More

The 10 largest connector companies had combined 2015 sales of $30 billion, or 57.7% of world connector demand. The names of the top 10 changes when the top 10 is defined as, “Who are the largest companies in each region?” That is, who are the 10 largest companies in sales in North America, Europe, Japan,Read More