Space and weight constraints, environmental regulations, and increasingly complex system requirements are inspiring new wire harness products and versatile interconnect alternatives. Automotive wire harnesses come in thousands of varieties. Some modern vehicles contain close to 40 different harnesses, with up to 700 connectors and more than 3,000 wires. Additional variation is required for wire harnessesRead More

Meet the Connector: MPO Fiber Optic Connectors MPO (Multi-fiber Push-On) connectors evolved from mechanical transfer (MT) technology developed by Nippon Telephone and Telegraph Corp. (NTT) in 1986. NTT developed the first MPO connector as a compact, physical contact (PC) solution that offered a simple push/pull operation for connecting and disconnecting a plug and adapter. PriorRead More

Consumers treat USBs roughly — there’s no way around it in the constant cycle of plugging and unplugging, so these ubiquitous connectors are up to the challenge. But as USBs move into even more rugged environments (and into the hands of ever-younger consumers), tough new versions are ready. The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is theRead More

Space constraints within small devices create challenges for component placement on the boards. Innovations in ZIF-style flex connectors offer designers a possible solution.   By Jeff Combs, Director of Sales, CE Segment at Hirose Electric USA  Hardware designs for IoT, consumer, modular, and other complex applications often leave limited space for the mating and assembly ofRead More

The next generation of electronics professionals learn about components and robotic systems while having fun in competition. The innovation that drives technology is itself driven, at least in part, by the new ideas and perspectives that come with fresh eyes and open minds. Attracting students to the industry from an early age, therefore, is vitalRead More

Meet the Connector: Mezzanine Connectors As electronic equipment became more complex in the 2000s, mezzanine connectors were developed in response to the increasing demand for space on PCBs. These high-speed, board-to-board connectors connect two parallel PCBs in a stacking configuration. Many of these are defined in an industry standard such as the PCI Mezzanine CardRead More

While the traditional method of glass-to-metal seal (GTMS) connectors serves as an effective hermetic barrier and electrical insulator for a broad spectrum of medical, automotive, aerospace, military, and low-pressure geophysical applications, advanced thermoplastics developed over the past three decades have proven to be a superior solution for the most extreme operating environments. Within the PAEKRead More

Download Connector Supplier’s latest eBook, 2022 Rugged Interconnects for Harsh Environments, to learn more about design solutions and product innovations for harsh environment applications in many markets.   Our latest eBook, 2022 Rugged Interconnects for Harsh Environments, highlights how today’s connectivity solutions overcome the challenges of temperature, shock and vibration, radiation, corrosion, dust and water ingress, and difficult access.Read More

Meet the Connector: Hermetic Connectors Hermetic connectors are completely sealed against ingress of air or liquid using a glass, ceramic, or composite sealing device or material. Hermetic sealing offers the highest level of protection available against air, gases, chemicals, moisture, debris, and other contaminants. It is an essential feature for many harsh environment connectors, particularlyRead More

A mainstay of medical device design, silicone jacketing protects cables from the hazards that medical technologies face in clinical care settings. It’s not a perfect material, though. New alternatives address silicone’s common shortfalls. Silicone is a widely used cable-jacketing material for medical device components. Commonly used in medical tools, hospital equipment, and surgical devices, siliconeRead More

Meet the Connector: Overmolded Cable Assemblies Connector and cable assemblies that are used in harsh environments, that undergo frequent sanitation procedures, or are subjected to strenuous handling benefit from the protection of overmolding.   Overmolded cable assemblies combine the connector and cable into one seamless piece. The process involves using two or more materials toRead More

Updated: January 2023 Meet the Connector: M-Type Sensor Connectors M-type connectors were originally designed for connecting sensors and actuators in automation equipment and industrial networks. They are now used in a variety of applications, including high-frequency transmission circuits in telecommunications, measurement equipment, robotics, and transportation. The M12 standard was adopted for its reliability and consistencyRead More