Connector basics

Common Misperceptions of Custom Connectors

There are many misperceptions regarding custom connectors: They are too risky, too expensive, and take too long to develop. But new processes are addressing these concerns. Device development is undergoing a transformation. Pressure to reduce costs, reduce size, and make devices that can leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G is driving a lotRead More

The Differences Between MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, and III Connectors

These circular connectors were originally designed to meet requirements for cable-to-panel applications in the military and aerospace market. Now they are used across a wide range of industries that benefit from their high-performance qualities. By Air Electro, Inc. The engineers and procurement professionals in both the civil and military aerospace industries work with QPL-approved (QualifiedRead More

Rugged Mil-Spec Connectors Strengthen Military System Deployment

A tour of the West 2019 conference turns up new mil-spec connectivity products that meet size, weight, and power goals, and deliver peak performance under pressure. For military and aerospace applications, the consequences of system failures are unthinkable. To accomplish mission-critical tasks, these systems depend on the high-reliability performance of rugged mil-spec connectors and cables.Read More

Rugged Connectors Expand into New Applications

5G and the Industrial Internet of Things are pushing advanced electronics into rough new territory. Rugged connectors can provide the robust connectivity needed, although sometimes a custom connector is required. Rugged connectors come into play when electronic equipment is designed for use in an extreme environment. This can be broadly defined: Extreme conditions may beRead More

Danger Zone: Contamination-Resistant Connectors for Hazardous Environments

Electronic equipment and devices employed in extremely harsh environments require rugged, contamination-resistant connectors that can stand up to radiation, sterilization, and the toughest conditions on Earth. Equipment destined for use in environments with a high risk of exposure to radiation and biological hazards requires contamination-resistant connectors and other electronic components, which can be a challengeRead More

Building a Better Device Connector Using Custom Pogo Pin Design

Industry-standard connectors don’t always get the job done. A very public failure of a proven connector spurred a team of designers to engineer a flexible and dependable new solution using pogo pins. Here’s how they did it. By Nobukazu Kato, ACES Electronics, and Sam Martin, ACES North America When a major OEM brand of mobileRead More

How to Select a Contract Manufacturer

Contract manufacturers’ quotes and quality audit results don’t tell the whole story. Here’s what you need to evaluate to make a good decision. Hiring a contract manufacturer is similar to hiring a new employee: In both instances, candidates are evaluated based on skills and experience. However, evaluating a contract manufacturer made up of hundreds ofRead More

Meeting Medical Market Demands for High-Density Electrical Connectors with Standard and Custom Solutions

The growing demand for high-density electrical connectors in the medical market is being driven by an overwhelming trend towards smaller, lighter, and more ergonomically conscious medical devices. By John Holloway, Principal Engineer at ATL Technology high-density electrical connectors These demands can be met with an array of standard and custom solutions, but coming up with theRead More

Eight Things to Know About M39029 Contacts

Commonly used in military, defense, industrial, and other harsh-environment applications, M39029 contacts are available in a variety of options. As a result, not every M39029 contact is created equal. By Steve Smashey, President, and Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc. M39029 To manufacture a reliable, high-performance connector for harsh-environment applications, the design process shouldRead More

Robust Connections: Board-to-Board Connectors for the Industrial Market

As automation and the Internet of Things transform industrial environments, demand is increasing for electronics with interfaces for signal, data, and power transmission, as well as shielding from harsh environmental conditions. Board-to-board connectors are an important component in the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0. By Markus Sonderer, Senior Director of Product Marketing and Development,Read More

An Inseparable Duo: Wires and Wireless Technologies

The evolution of the telecommunications industry began with a simple wire that expanded to become today’s fully interconnected and increasingly wireless world. Throughout human history, we have strived to improve how we communicate with each other. From foot messengers and horses to email, text, and video chat, we have increased the speed at which informationRead More

How to Specify Rail-Industry Ethernet Networks: Five Key Considerations and Why Connectors Are Critical

Data demands are exceeding what legacy technology can handle. See why more train manufacturers and system integrators are moving towards rail-industry Ethernet. The rail industry’s accelerating demand for higher bandwidth requirements has outpaced what the existing Train Communication Network (TCN) standard for data communication can provide. Designed for real-time applications, the TCN standard is aRead More

2026 World Connector Market Handbook 2025-2031F
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