Industrial Connecter

Building Better Battery Storage Solutions
Technology Trends
Building Better Battery Storage Solutions
Our growing demand for energy on the go and on demand is made possible with a powerful new generation of batteries. Interconnects play an important role in the development of innovative battery storage solutions. Battery storage is at the forefront of solutions in the quest to meet the…
Listing of Market Articles
Building Better Battery Storage Solutions
Building Better Battery Storage Solutions
Our growing demand for energy on the go and on demand is made possible with a powerful new generation of batteries. Interconnects play an important role in the development of innovative battery storage solutions. Battery storage is at the forefront of solutions in the quest to meet the…
How e-Mobility Is Impacting Energy Demand
How e-Mobility Is Impacting Energy Demand
A burgeoning global population requires more energy than ever for transportation, industry, and infrastructure. New technologies will help meet this demand while also reducing the climate impact of our activities. Global energy demand and supply is changing significantly. In transportation, electric vehicle (EV) innovation has grown quickly, particularly…
New Circular Connectors Add to Multi-Billion Dollar Market
New Circular Connectors Add to Multi-Billion Dollar Market
One of the earliest and most popular types of connectors continues to see design refinements and innovations. An examination of the huge circular connector market finds that commercial and industrial types are most specified in MIL/Aero applications. Creative COTS are used everywhere. There is not an industry today…
What are DC power connectors?
What are DC power connectors?
Meet the Connector: DC Power Connectors DC power connectors, also called DC plugs or barrel connectors, are a common interface for delivering direct current power to small devices and equipment. This plug and socket type connector comes in a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and configurations and is…
Power Connectors Product Roundup  
Power Connectors Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights power connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Power connectors PROtop from Weidmuller USA is the ideal power boost for production environments. With efficiency levels peaking at 95.3%, PROtop ensures sustainable energy savings and reliable system availability, supported by exceedingly high MTBF values.…
Jan 2024 New Connectivity Products 
Jan 2024 New Connectivity Products 
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. Jan 2024 New Connectivity Products Jan 2024 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Heilind Electronics added the E-Switch LB22 Series Pushbutton Switch to its extensive product portfolio. The LB22 Series Pushbutton Switch is designed to deliver high performance and reliability,…
University Taps “The Heat Beneath Our Feet” Geothermal Energy
University Taps “The Heat Beneath Our Feet” Geothermal Energy
Colorado Mesa University’s geothermal-exchange system is a feature project of the Western Governors’ Association initiative showcasing the benefits of geothermal energy. In 2007 Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in Grand Junction began its transition from a commuter campus of about 3,500 students to the campus of 10,000 students it…
Renewable Integration: Tackling the Efficiency Challenges of Clean Energy and the Machine Learning Tech Needed to Get There
Renewable Integration: Tackling the Efficiency Challenges of Clean Energy and the Machine Learning Tech Needed to Get There
From electric vehicles to solar panels, energy innovation depends on efficient battery storage solutions. New opportunities to improve the efficiency of battery storage technologies devices is now possible with the dawn of AI, machine learning, and IoT. The pressure is on to produce long-term clean energy alternatives to…
New Interconnects and Advanced Technology are Moving Toward the Mainstream
New Interconnects and Advanced Technology are Moving Toward the Mainstream
Although 2023 is shaping up to be less than a stellar year for connector sales, new product development continues at a furious pace. Advanced technologies are accelerating the introduction of new interconnect architectures and devices. The term “connectivity” has become the mantra for the expanding universe of electronic…
What are DIN Valve Connectors?
What are DIN Valve Connectors?
Meet the Connector: DIN Valve Connectors DIN valve connectors are essential components in industrial automation and control systems, providing a standardized interface for connecting solenoid valves and other devices to control systems. These leak-proof connectors help control the flow of fluids or gases in response to signals from…
EX-Approved Product Roundup  
EX-Approved Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights EX-approved interconnects from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. EX-approved interconnects Avnet supplies Amphenol's Star-Line EX Series, a hybrid form of the parent Star-Line product line. The series is certified for use in a Zone 1 hazardous environment. Classified facilities such as petrochemical refineries…
Industrial Controls: Demystifying SCADA
Industrial Controls: Demystifying SCADA
In a manufacturing setting, SCADA is the system of interconnected applications that controls everything from how the machines are programmed to the visual representation of the product as it makes its way through the machines, to the collection of data about the machines’ functionality, and more. Supervisory control…
Redefining Reliability: How Single-Pair Ethernet Elevates Security and Efficiency in Industrial Network Communication
Redefining Reliability: How Single-Pair Ethernet Elevates Security and Efficiency in Industrial Network Communication
With its ability to dramatically transform data transmission in industrial applications, SPE is redefining the future of secure and reliable network communication across diverse industries. Amid the metamorphosis of industrial connectivity, a remarkable innovation is taking center stage: single-pair Ethernet (SPE). With its ability to dramatically transform data…
What are ix Industrial Connectors?
What are ix Industrial Connectors?
Meet the Connector: ix Industrial The ix Industrial connector is a miniature high-speed Ethernet connector used in industrial applications. It is also known as an IP20 Industrial Ethernet connector, referring to its ingress protection, which protects connections from the harsh operating environments present in factories and other industrial…
Photovoltaics Product Roundup  
Photovoltaics Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights photovoltaic solutions from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Photovoltaics Amphenol Industrial Solar Technologies’ H4 PV Connector, supplied by RS, carries more amps than the industry standard connector. It features quick and easy secure snap-lock mating, long-term UV and ozone resistance, low contact resistance, and…
October 2023 Connector Industry News
October 2023 Connector Industry News
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. October 2023 Connector Industry News October 2023 Connector Industry News > Event News DigiKey’s annual Back2School Prize Draw sweepstakes, which provides college students a chance…
Vertical Farms Control the Weather with IoT Technologies
Vertical Farms Control the Weather with IoT Technologies
As outdoor agriculture becomes less predictable, vertical farms are bringing the farm inside, where sealed interconnects, sensor systems, smart LEDs, and connected technologies optimize every aspect of the growing cycle. The summer of 2023 brought extreme challenges to farmers around the world. Storms, droughts, wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures…
Vertical Farming and Smart Agriculture Technologies Boost Food Production
Vertical Farming and Smart Agriculture Technologies Boost Food Production
As growing conditions become less stable and predictable, Agriculture 4.0 is coming indoors and boosting agricultural productivity through connected technologies. Vertical farming, also known as smart agriculture and Agriculture 4.0, uses technology to enhance crop production by automatically tracking critical parameters such as soil nutrition, temperature, and moisture…
The Future of Agriculture will be More Sustainable, Connected Than Ever  
The Future of Agriculture will be More Sustainable, Connected Than Ever  
The agriculture industry is looking to connected technologies to improve outcomes and ease the amount of effort required to produce food for a growing planet. The future of the agriculture industry is on the horizon — one where technology will be leveraged to provide greater control over nearly…
What are Fieldbus Connectors?
What are Fieldbus Connectors?
Meet the Connector: Fieldbus Connectors Fieldbus is an industrial network used to connect instruments in manufacturing environments. Multiple types of fieldbus networks exist to serve a variety of applications, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and DeviceNet. Fieldbus connectors simplify the process of linking fieldbus equipment to network segments. They…
Barrier Blocks Product Roundup 
Barrier Blocks Product Roundup 
This week’s Product Roundup highlights barrier blocks from leading suppliers. Barrier blocks Avnet supplies barrier terminal blocks from TE Connectivity. Barrier blocks are interconnect devices which consist of short metal strips separated by a raised insulated "barrier" and connectors or screws which allow for termination and wire connection.…
August 2023 Connector Industry News  
August 2023 Connector Industry News  
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry.  August 2023 Connector Industry News   August 2023 Connector Industry News > Award News  TE Connectivity has earned a top 10 ranking among the 2023 Fast…
Micro-Ds Keep High-Tech Drilling Tools Connected
Micro-Ds Keep High-Tech Drilling Tools Connected
Few harsh environments are as harsh as oil & gas wells. Connectors and cable assemblies must be tough enough to maintain reliable connections despite extreme high temperatures, severe shock and vibration, fluid corrosion, and more. Micro-Ds and other rugged interconnects play a huge role in today’s oil &…
Industry 4.0: Welcome to the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Industry 4.0: Welcome to the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Inexpensive sensors, fast networks, industrial globalization, and software advances including AI and machine learning have created an environment where factories, supply chains, workers, consumers, and investors can be connected everywhere, all the time. Industry 4.0, propelled by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), is transforming business by embracing…
What are ATEX-, Ex-, and IECEx-approved connectors?
What are ATEX-, Ex-, and IECEx-approved connectors?
Meet the Connector: ATEX-, Ex-, and IECEx-approved connectors ATEX-, Ex-, and IECEx-approved connectors are connectivity products that have met the guidelines of specific regional directives on health and safety for highly hazardous, explosive operating environments. These products have been certified by the corresponding regulatory bodies to ensure performance…
Waterproof/Sealed Connectors Product Roundup  
Waterproof/Sealed Connectors Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights waterproof/sealed connectors from leading suppliers. Waterproof/Sealed connectors Quick Lock USB 3.0 connectors by Omnetics Connector Corporation are sealed inside a rugged, battlefield tested and proven IP67 housing to ensure users achieve the highest levels of reliability while meeting USB 3.0 high-speed digital expectations…
Connecting to a Green Future: Connector Suppliers Embrace Sustainability
Connecting to a Green Future: Connector Suppliers Embrace Sustainability
Along with meeting demands for more capabilities and greater performance, electronics manufacturers are taking steps to conserve resources, protect the environment, and care for their employees and the communities they serve. The recent TE Connectivity Industrial Technology Index, an online survey of engineers and executives, found that “executives…
The Future of Field Device Infrastructure
The Future of Field Device Infrastructure
Industrial communications strategies are shifting in favor of real-time communications at the field device level, with automation engineers and installers preferring single-pair Ethernet-enabled devices to collect field data. [caption id="attachment_41035" align="aligncenter" width="600"] SPE enables IP connectivity for field devices in various applications.[/caption] Industrial field device infrastructure trends Industrial…
What is Single-Pair Ethernet?
What is Single-Pair Ethernet?
Meet the Connector: Single-Pair Ethernet Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) is a single, twisted pair of copper wires that replaces the traditional 2- or 4-pair Ethernet configurations. SPE technology has been developed to bring Ethernet the “last mile” to the factory floor — the sensor/actuator level, specifically monitoring devices at…
Application Materials Product Roundup  
Application Materials Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights application materials from leading suppliers. Application materials RS WarriorWrap Specialty Tape is designed to meet the exacting requirements and the demanding environments of electrical construction, providing the confidence that every residential or commercial application can be wrapped up right. Made of 7mil thick…
New Connectors Make Photovoltaics Easier to Install
New Connectors Make Photovoltaics Easier to Install
Exponential growth in solar power installations around the world is made easier with fast, easy to install PV connectors that integrate new technologies to match advancements in photovoltaics. Photovoltaic Installations Increase  The world’s solar power capacity is steadily rising, with 268 gigawatts of new photovoltaic installations added in 2022…
Why Connectors are the Enabler of Industry 4.0
Why Connectors are the Enabler of Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0. Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT, Smart Factory. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are generation-defining trends that are changing manufacturing. Connectors play an important role in enabling the future of industrial automation. That raises the question: how can a single component play such a huge role in…
What are DIN Rail Terminal Blocks?
What are DIN Rail Terminal Blocks?
Meet the Connector: DIN Rail Terminal Blocks DIN rail refers to a mounting system in the form of globally standardized long metal strips used to attach electrical and industrial control products in equipment cabinet racks. The DIN Rail itself is a mechanical component support with no connective or…
Terminal Blocks Product Roundup
Terminal Blocks Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights terminal blocks from leading suppliers. Terminal Blocks The new XTV terminal blocks from Phoenix Contact can accommodate the direct insertion of conductor types: ferruled, solid, or stranded wires. The XTV series is the first product family to feature Push-X connection technology. Push-X operates…
Smart Manufacturing Turns 15
Smart Manufacturing Turns 15
Automation, robotics, and a mix of human and machine decision-making combine to create factory floors that are efficient and safe, while also addressing energy, materials, decarbonization, and environmental sustainability. This is the essence of smart manufacturing. In his article, “The 15th Anniversary of Smart Manufacturing - Grassroots Leadership,…
The Benefits of Edge Computing
The Benefits of Edge Computing
Smart factories are optimizing production methods and output with the help of automation edge controllers and sensors that collect, network, and evaluate data. Networked, intelligent, self-controlling, self-optimizing, and resource-efficient production comprise the smart factory, the central scenario of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0. Manufacturers…
Harsh Conditions Call for Hermetically Sealed Connectors
Harsh Conditions Call for Hermetically Sealed Connectors
Moisture, debris, vibration, pressure, and fluctuating temperatures make industrial, transportation, military, and aerospace environments challenging for electronics. Hermetically sealed connectors keep sensitive electronic systems safe. Electronic connectors are constructed from plastic and metal parts that allow moisture, air, and gases to leak into the device. A hermetic connector…
Electric Powertrain Considerations for Battery-Powered Warehouse Applications
Electric Powertrain Considerations for Battery-Powered Warehouse Applications
In automated warehouse applications and vehicles, new battery technologies and frequent charging pose unique challenges in the design and specification of the electric powertrain. By Daniel Walldorf, Strategy and Business Development Manager at TE Connectivity As a labor-intensive field, warehouses are dependent upon a workforce to perform tasks…
Search for Alternative Energy Production is Spurring Innovation
Search for Alternative Energy Production is Spurring Innovation
Electronic power and signal connectors will play a key role in the exploration, development, management, and distribution of sustainable energy production. A funny thing happened on the way to American energy production independence. Reducing our reliance on not-so-friendly foreign countries for such a critical resource had become a…
Data Connectors for Tomorrow’s Robots
Data Connectors for Tomorrow’s Robots
With the advancement of cobots, increased safety concerns, and the need to reduce downtime and costs, there is a much greater demand for networking automation in production facilities.  In today’s factory and warehouse environment, the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, collected, analyzed, and stored continues…
September 2022 New Connectivity Products
September 2022 New Connectivity Products
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. September 2022 New Connectivity Products  September 2022 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Amphenol Sine Systems' AT Series connectors supplied by PEI Genesis are a high-performance, cost-effective solution for use in a…
Modular Heavy-Duty Rectangular Connectors Product Roundup
Modular Heavy-Duty Rectangular Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights modular, heavy-duty rectangular connectors from leading suppliers. Modular Heavy-Duty Rectangular Connectors The Han-Modular series supplied by Allied Electronics and Automation is designed for combining different transmission media in one connector. The multifaceted system of inserts, contacts, frames, hoods, and housings as well as…
Industrial Robots Take on the Tough Jobs
Industrial Robots Take on the Tough Jobs
Across industries, industrial robots and robotics applications are solving problems by going where humans can’t, shouldn’t, or don’t want to go.   Today’s industrial robots are tasked with doing more of the work formerly done by people, as well as a variety of jobs that can only be done…
Industrial Rectangular Connectors Evolve to Meet New Application Needs
Industrial Rectangular Connectors Evolve to Meet New Application Needs
Industrial rectangular connectors have been a mainstay of heavy-duty and automation applications since the 1950s. Tomorrow’s rectangular automation connectors will look much the same as they do today — on the outside. But inside, these connectors are becoming more powerful, capable, and versatile.     The foundational need for…
Connect, Network, Evolve: The Intersection Between Reliability and High-Speed Industrial Communications
Connect, Network, Evolve: The Intersection Between Reliability and High-Speed Industrial Communications
Real-time communication in industrial processes allows for process optimization and reduction in downtime. It requires reliable connector and cabling solutions that meet the demands of industrial environments while enabling high-speed data transmission and supporting various industrial communications protocols.   The evolution of industrial communications has increased the need for…
What are Industrial RJ45 connectors?  
What are Industrial RJ45 connectors?  
Meet the Connector: Industrial RJ45 connectors Industrial RJ45 connectors are essentially an RJ45 Ethernet connector in a protective housing. The standard RJ45 is the most common twisted-pair connector. It is an 8-position, 8-contact (8P8C) modular plug and jack. RJ, or registered jack, is a standardized telecommunication network interface…
Backplane Connectors Product Roundup
Backplane Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights backplane connectors from leading suppliers. Backplane Connectors The LRM Surface Mount Connectors from Amphenol Aerospace meet the high-density needs of today’s integrated electronic modules. The flexible design meets and exceeds the wide variety of user requirements. With multiple different contacts being used in…
Precision Interconnects Make Indoor Agriculture More Productive
Precision Interconnects Make Indoor Agriculture More Productive
Vertical farming operations bring food crops indoors for protection from extreme weather, continuous growing seasons, and increased production. Guided by sensors and enabled by LEDs, these smart farming strategies offer a solution amid growing climate challenges. Indoor agriculture may be our last hope for a flavorful future. Severe…
Innovative Connector Solutions from Industrial to UxV
Innovative Connector Solutions from Industrial to UxV
Industry-standard connectors have their place, but sometimes an innovative connector solution is required to solve unique design challenges. Distinctive connector designs help design engineers in the industrial and unmanned and autonomous (UxV) sectors achieve advanced power and data goals. Innovative connector solutions are needed to accomplish the data…
DIN-Rail Mount Terminal Blocks Product Roundup
DIN-Rail Mount Terminal Blocks Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights DIN-Rail mount terminal blocks from leading suppliers. DIN-Rail Mount Terminal Blocks  Phoenix Contact has added function blocks to its popular line of PTFIX distribution blocks. The new PTFIX Function features Push-in Technology that can connect, disconnect, and protect terminal blocks. Disconnect levers are…
What are Configurable Connector Systems?
What are Configurable Connector Systems?
Meet the Connector: Configurable Connector Systems Configurable connector systems, also called build-your-own, semi-custom, or modular connectors (not to be confused with modular RJ45s), are available from many suppliers as an alternative to costly fully custom connector products. In cases in which an existing connector is close, but not…
How to Specify a Custom Hermetic Connector Solution
How to Specify a Custom Hermetic Connector Solution
In equipment destined for the extreme conditions of aerospace, military, medical, and other critical markets, sealing technologies can impact the performance of not just a single connector but an entire system. Sometimes a custom connector with a hermetic seal is the best solution. Commercial aviation and military aircraft…
Industrial Laser Processing Fuels Today’s Modern Electronic Devices
Industrial Laser Processing Fuels Today’s Modern Electronic Devices
Automated manufacturing processes are integrating industrial lasers for precision processing, inspecting, and testing of materials. Fiber optic connectors help make these systems possible.  [caption id="attachment_37247" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Image courtesy of Teradyne)[/caption] Fiber optic technology is enabling a new generation of high power, ultrafast industrial lasers. These precision beams…
How PAEK Compares to Glass-to-Metal Sealed Connectors
How PAEK Compares to Glass-to-Metal Sealed Connectors
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…
Connectors for Underwater Applications Product Roundup
Connectors for Underwater Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors for underwater applications from leading suppliers.   Connectors for Underwater Applications   Trexon’s Hydro Group designs, manufactures, and pressure tests underwater electrical and optical connectors, cable, and cable assemblies for unique and challenging subsea applications. Hydro’s connectors have been tested extensively for performance and endurance, both…
What are M-Type Sensor Connectors?
What are M-Type Sensor Connectors?
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…
What are Terminal Blocks?
What are Terminal Blocks?
Meet the Connector: Terminal Blocks Terminal blocks are connectors used to secure two or more wires to each other (wire-to-wire) or to a PCB (wire-to-board). They consist of an insulated body within a modular housing. Often used in industrial applications, they are appropriate wherever electrical systems need to…
What are Push-In Wire Connectors?
What are Push-In Wire Connectors?
Meet the Connector: Push-in Wire Connectors Push-in wire connectors are insulated wire connectors that are used in electrical systems, including commercial and residential lighting, digital signage, and other building electrical systems. They are used in place of traditional twist-on connectors or wire nuts. This connector type is easy…
New Urgency Spurs Development of Renewable Energy Technologies
New Urgency Spurs Development of Renewable Energy Technologies
As droughts, fires, extreme weather events, and rising seas become harder to ignore, researchers are accelerating the development of more powerful technologies to harvest energy from renewable energy sources. Interconnects will play a key role. Renewable Energy There are still a few skeptics who deny global climate change,…
How to Source Connectors and Cabling for Industrial Applications
How to Source Connectors and Cabling for Industrial Applications
Harsh operating conditions and challenging installation scenarios make it important to specify rugged, reliable, and application-specific interconnects for industrial equipment. Industrial Connectors The extreme temperatures and humidity often present in industrial settings place considerable strain on electronic components and can cause equipment to malfunction. Interconnects used in industrial…
What is an M12 Connector?
What is an M12 Connector?
Meet the Connector: M12 Circular Connectors M12 connectors are a metric circular connector product used in industrial automation and other harsh environment applications where compact, rugged, and reliable power, signal, and data connections are needed. One of the most commonly specified connectors in the industrial market, the M12…
February 2022 New Connectivity Products
February 2022 New Connectivity Products
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. February 2022 New Connectivity Products  February 2022 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. TE Connectivity is adding to its family of connectors with the DBAS 9 connector. DBAS 9 offers increased configuration…
Application-Specific Connectors for Energy Applications Product Roundup
Application-Specific Connectors for Energy Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors for energy applications from leading suppliers. Application-Specific Connectors for Energy Applications LEMO's N Series products offer a range of remote handling self-latching stainless steel connectors suitable for high radiation environments such as nuclear reprocessing cells or heavy duty industrial controls. Features include an…
Robots Enabled with Artificial Intelligence are Learning to Take Over
Robots Enabled with Artificial Intelligence are Learning to Take Over
Connected, smart robots are doing, learning, and even teaching more tasks and processes than ever, with less programming than ever, thanks to AI. At a time when one must lament the dearth of human intelligence being applied to some of the most existential challenges humans have ever faced,…
Three Key Connectivity Requirements for Autonomous Delivery Robots
Three Key Connectivity Requirements for Autonomous Delivery Robots
As consumers transition to ordering more goods online, shippers are exploring alternatives to human labor. Autonomous delivery robots use sensors systems connected with high-density rectangular connectors to navigate complex environments and carry out delivery tasks. By NorComp [caption id="attachment_35402" align="aligncenter" width="601"] A delivery robot by VCU CNS Starship…
Three Trends to Watch in Cobot Development
Three Trends to Watch in Cobot Development
Cobots require high levels of functional safety, high load-bearing capacity with increased arm speed, and a lightweight design. Specialized connector solutions make it so. The industrial robotics space is changing fast. The latest generation of robots is taking on more complex tasks than ever before — and increasingly…
Robotics Connectors Product Roundup
Robotics Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights robotics connectors from leading suppliers. As robotics becomes more advanced, reducing the need for humans in dangerous situations or difficult environments, design challenges continue to emerge. Here are the latest connectivity solutions for this rapidly advancing market. Robotics Connectors Smiths Interconnect’s M12 Series…
Beyond the Bulb: Industrial Lighting Trends Expand Innovation in Key Markets
Beyond the Bulb: Industrial Lighting Trends Expand Innovation in Key Markets
The possibilities that connected LED lighting offer go far beyond illuminating spaces. Smart, programmable lighting is bringing creativity and efficiency to the built environment. An ongoing evolution in lighting technologies is bringing new creativity and functionality to buildings, industrial sites, and urban infrastructure for industrial lighting. This evolution…
Choosing Optimal Connectors for LED Lighting and Industrial Electronics Applications
Choosing Optimal Connectors for LED Lighting and Industrial Electronics Applications
Today’s LED lighting and industrial electronics applications can achieve greater efficiency, performance, and reliability by employing connectors with high power densities and small form factors. Which connector characteristics best support these goals? This specification guide can help you decide. [caption id="attachment_34899" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in…
Contactless Connector Solutions Drive Maximum Efficiency
Contactless Connector Solutions Drive Maximum Efficiency
In high-use automation applications, repeated mating cycles can result in wear that compromises connectivity and reliability. Contactless connectors offer a new alternative. By Weidmueller Mechanical connections present challenges in industrial applications that endure repeated mating cycles. When two mating interfaces interact, inevitable wear and friction cause a range…
The Case for Single-Pair Ethernet in Industrial Applications
The Case for Single-Pair Ethernet in Industrial Applications
An update on activities related to SPE standardization and implementation in industrial and automated applications. Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) promises to revolutionize industrial applications with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gb/s) over a single pair. Yet there are still questions surrounding standardization and the benefits of SPE…
Connector Industry Sales Outlook – June 2021 Update
Connector Industry Sales Outlook – June 2021 Update
Bishop & Associates tracks continuing high demand for connectivity products as the rebound continues across all major markets. Connector industry sales demand remains strong into the mid-point of the year, with bookings up +47.0% and billings up +30.7% through May 2021. These incredibly good numbers are a function…
Testing Semiconductors and the Vital Role of Connectors
Testing Semiconductors and the Vital Role of Connectors
Perhaps nothing gets tested more thoroughly or at greater expense than semiconductors. So much is riding on every chip, whether it is going into a SpaceX rocket, a pacemaker, or a plasma TV. The testing process begins before a single chip has been fabricated. Test and measurement is…
Selecting Connectivity Solutions for High-Precision Test and Measurement Applications
Selecting Connectivity Solutions for High-Precision Test and Measurement Applications
Precision instrumentation depends on the accuracy, security, and reliability of its connectivity, yet connectors are often the weakest link. Find out what matters most when selecting connectivity solutions to enhance performance and usability in demanding test and measurement applications.  By Fischer Connectors Instrumentation designers and end users are…
Material Costs in 1Q21 Up Significantly, Forecast for Continued Increases
Material Costs in 1Q21 Up Significantly, Forecast for Continued Increases
As economies recover from the pandemic, demand has pushed costs up for gold, copper, brass, steel, thermoplastics, and other materials used in the manufacturing of connectors. Bishop & Associates tracks raw material costs for gold, copper, brass, steel, thermoplastics, and other materials used in the manufacturing of connectors.…
Modular Connector Solutions Enable Designers to Create Affordable Custom Connectors
Modular Connector Solutions Enable Designers to Create Affordable Custom Connectors
Connector suppliers are delivering flexible and modular solutions that enable customers to meet their connector needs without the expense of a truly custom connector product. The connector market is made up of astounding complexity. From rugged power connectors used on ships at sea to the high-speed connectors used…
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Proprietary to Open Source Connectors
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Proprietary to Open Source Connectors
Sometimes a custom connector design will remain a limited-use product. Other times, it may become a popular proprietary connector. In some instances, the evolution continues and the connector experiences widespread use as a commercial or open-source product. This is the eighth installment in the Technology Trends series by…
The Industrial Market for Connectors in a Changing World
The Industrial Market for Connectors in a Changing World
The pandemic, supply chain restructuring, changing energy sources, and industrial automation are among the factors that are shaping the outlook for the industrial market for connectors and the technologies that will drive it in the years to come. During 2020, making accurate predictions about the impact of the…
Designing Connectors for the Harshest Environments
Designing Connectors for the Harshest Environments
Applications that routinely experience harsh-environment conditions require connector solutions with the appropriate materials, shells, contacts, ingress protection rating, standards compliance, and assembly features. By Steve Smashey, President, SOS Engineering, Inc.; Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc.; and Randy Cameron, Director, Technical Services, Inova Geophysical Designing connector solutions…
Blind-Mating Coaxial Connectors Product Roundup
Blind-Mating Coaxial Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights blind-mating coaxial connectors from leading suppliers. Blind-Mating Coaxial Connectors  CDM Electronics is an authorized supplier and design partner for Delta Electronics and offers numerous connectivity solutions from the Delta RF product line, which targets applications within the aerospace, broadcast, industrial, medical, military, military…
Continued Growth Expected in the World Connector Market
Continued Growth Expected in the World Connector Market
As the electronics industry continues to adjust to changes brought by the global pandemic, it’s clear that technological innovation will play a key role in the future of every market. A new report examines the impacts of 2020 and anticipates growth ahead. In the past 40 years, the…
Industrial Interconnects Enable Advanced Process Controls in the Fresh Water Industry
Industrial Interconnects Enable Advanced Process Controls in the Fresh Water Industry
Desalination and wastewater treatment plants are becoming more efficient and cost-effective with the use of automated control systems and rugged and resilient electronics that can endure immersion and corrosion. The availability of fresh water is easy to take for granted where it’s readily available, but water security is…
Digitalization Technologies Offer Efficiency, Scalability, and Visibility in Industrial Environments
Digitalization Technologies Offer Efficiency, Scalability, and Visibility in Industrial Environments
Connected technologies can bring significant benefits to OEMs, but companies need to carefully evaluate their goals and their existing resources in order to adopt successful digitalization strategies. The digitalization of production systems can help OEMs create more efficient supply chains, stronger production processes, and better tracking solutions for…
A New Standard for Locking M12 Push-Pull Connectors
A New Standard for Locking M12 Push-Pull Connectors
Specifying locking M12 push-pull connectors has become easier with the arrival of a unified standard that ensures compatibility across manufacturers. Locking M12 push-pull connectors are a common choice for industrial and harsh environment applications due to their versatility, durability, ruggedness, and reliability even in high-vibration conditions. These sealed,…
New High-Speed Information and Communication Technologies Will Affect Our Lives and Businesses in 2021
New High-Speed Information and Communication Technologies Will Affect Our Lives and Businesses in 2021
In the year ahead, we’ll see AI, IoT and IIoT technologies, cloud computing, 5G communications, blockchain, UAVs, and robotics impact nearly every market. These transformative technologies are becoming more pervasive and more proficient. As we move into 2021, multiple breakthrough technologies are being implemented that will affect our…
Disruptive Innovation in the U.S. and China
Disruptive Innovation in the U.S. and China
Longtime industry observer Bob Hult shares his informed opinions, saying that it’s time for all levels of government and industry to recognize that China has become a pragmatic competitor fully capable of disruptive innovation. Doing so may help Western economies better prepare to confront the challenges ahead.  The United States has enjoyed decades of recognition as the world’s economic,…
Five Technology Trends Driving New Connector Designs
Five Technology Trends Driving New Connector Designs
The connector world is constantly evolving to support dynamic market trends. Emerging high-speed connectivity products are currently responding to a number of technology trends and, once released to market, will serve, inspire, and enable a multitude of next-gen, high-speed applications for many years to come. As businesses and…
The Evolution, Proliferation, and Future of PCIe
The Evolution, Proliferation, and Future of PCIe
PCI Express is set to release its Generation 6.0 specification in 2021, expanding speeds and bandwidth, and enabling new capabilities needed for cloud-based architectures. A new generation of PCIe connectors is ready now. PCI Express (PCIe) is a popular peripheral bus architecture widely employed in enterprise servers, storage…
The Electronics Industry Starts to Ease Out of China
The Electronics Industry Starts to Ease Out of China
The impacts of COVID-19 illustrate the risks involved in centering too much manufacturing, assembly, and intellectual property in one region. Yet the coming implementation of connected technologies, including automation, the Internet of Things, and 5G networks, depends on connectivity products that are currently made in China. Automation may…
Single-Pair Ethernet Helps Industrial Designers Update and Build Systems for Industry 4.0
Single-Pair Ethernet Helps Industrial Designers Update and Build Systems for Industry 4.0
These simplified, yet powerful SPE connectors will help integrate equipment and buildings into a powerful, data-rich Industrial Internet of Things. The standardization of single-pair Ethernet (SPE) in 2019 enabled designers of industrial architectures to envision new levels of power, data speeds, and reliability for manufacturing facilities, building automation…
Five Things to Consider When Specifying RF Connectors for Harsh Industrial Environments
Five Things to Consider When Specifying RF Connectors for Harsh Industrial Environments
RF connectors that operate in industrial environments must maintain a clean signal under harsh conditions. To specify the right connector, you need to evaluate the particular challenges the application will endure and select a connector that is up to the job.  Understanding the characteristics of the environments in…
Smart Connectivity Brings LED Lighting to Industrial Environments
Smart Connectivity Brings LED Lighting to Industrial Environments
Intelligent and efficient LED lighting makes smart buildings, warehouses, and other industrial settings safer and more comfortable, energy efficient, and cost-effective. As bulb pricing and light quality has reached parity with other modes, LED lighting technology is now widely used in homes, where it is valued for its…
Five Common Solutions for Connecting Two Industrial Ethernet Cables
Five Common Solutions for Connecting Two Industrial Ethernet Cables
How do you connect two Ethernet cables to each other while maintaining environmental ratings, signal integrity, and data speeds? We examine the capabilities, pros, and cons of five common solutions. By Nate Owens, Product Marketing Manager, Industrial Field Connectivity, and Sam Hartman Product Marketing Specialist, Industrial Field Connectivity,…
New RF Coaxial Connectors Evolve as Emerging Technologies Demand Greater Performance
New RF Coaxial Connectors Evolve as Emerging Technologies Demand Greater Performance
The IoT, 5G, and advancing technologies across markets have led to smaller, higher performance RF coaxial connectors. There are times when economics and technical advances join to produce major changes in new applications, prompting the next generation of components to provide needed results. Even with the uncertainties caused…
Waterproof Connectors Can Survive a Splash or the Sea
Waterproof Connectors Can Survive a Splash or the Sea
Demand for waterproof connectors is large and growing, driven by undersea exploration and data transmission, as well as by the demand for connectivity in harsh environments. Waterproof connectors are seeing exponential demand in applications that range from consumer devices to oil and gas exploration to outdoor and marine…
M12 Connector Types, Uses & Applications
M12 Connector Types, Uses & Applications
Rugged and durable M12 connectors have a long history, but connected industrial technologies have inspired new modifications, improvements, and utility. Although M12 connectors have been in widespread use for decades — long before the Internet of Industrial Things (IIoT) or Industry 4.0 was even a concept — they have…
Hannover at Home: Connector Companies Showcase New Industrial Technologies
Hannover at Home: Connector Companies Showcase New Industrial Technologies
When COVID-19 shut down Hannover Messe, connector companies took advantage of digital platforms to introduce the industry to their latest industrial innovations. COVID-10 may have cancelled HANNOVER MESSE 2020, but the show goes on as companies with heavy-duty and harsh-environment connectors employ creative ways to get the word out.…
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Unite in Powerful Connected Technologies
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Unite in Powerful Connected Technologies
Advanced computing resources and connected technologies are converging in a range of automated applications, including robots, drones, and algorithm-driven applications. What could possibly go wrong? It’s hard to read a newspaper or magazine and not find at least one article about artificial intelligence (AI) or robotics. Machine learning,…
The Robots Are Coming
The Robots Are Coming
Robotics may be one of the greatest technological innovations of all time, and their rise is just beginning. Specialty, lightweight, precision connectivity products are key to their agility and utility. As companies look for ways to reduce their labor costs and increase their ability to perform tasks in…
Connected Solutions Drive Change in the Oil and Gas Industry
Connected Solutions Drive Change in the Oil and Gas Industry
Digitization is transforming the oil and gas industry. Starting with the equipment used in oil exploration and drilling and extending to automation, remote monitoring, data security, and logistics, connected systems play a key role. The oil and gas industry is in the spotlight, as petroleum and shale oil…
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