Hirose has expanded its rugged ix Industrial Series product offering to include an insulation displacement connector (IDC) plug assembly for faster installation and a “B” Key version for non-Ethernet applications. The ix Industrial Series combines a small robust design with high-speed data transmission capabilities that enables industrial equipment advancements in smart manufacturing. The ix Industrial Series connector reduces installation space by up to 75% compared to RJ45 solutions, and up to 28% compared to competing snap-in I/O connectors. Supporting CAT5e and CAT6a (10G) cabling, the ix Industrial Series I/O connector features an optimized EMI/ESD shielding design for safe and secure data transmission up to 10Gbps.

Available with two keying codes for Ethernet and non-Ethernet applications, the ix Industrial Series I/O connector is compliant with IEC PAS 61076-3-124. The series can be used as a next-generation standard connector in equipment such as factory automation controllers, industrial robotics, programmable logic controllers, security systems, servo amps, servers, robotics and more.

Offered in an upright right angle version, the ix Industrial Series I/O has maximum dimensions of 22.9 x 8.4 x 14.3 mm. The upright right angle receptacles can be mounted in parallel with a pitch distance of only 10 mm. The narrow width of the receptacle is particularly beneficial when multiple connectors are positioned on a single PCB side-by-side. Hirose is also developing a horizontal receptacle that will be available soon.

Featuring a rugged and reliable design, the snap-in I/O connector has a positive metal lock with a preload spring mechanism that provides a clear tactile click and ensures complete, secure mating. The preloaded springs are designed to prevent unintended cable removal, and to extend the operating life to more than 5,000 mating/unmating cycles.

“We expanded the ix Industrial Series offering to meet customer requests. The IDC version significantly decreases customer installation time by up to 50% due to the reduction in wire stripping, twisting and soldering. The B Key version meets the needs of rugged, non-Ethernet applications that require high-speed performance in a compact design. And the A Key type is well suited for daisy-chaining in open network connection applications,” said Bill Kysiak, Product Marketing Manager for Hirose Electric USA. “The ix Industrial Series continues to provide an innovative, flexible and space-saving design that can facilitate a significant size reduction of industrial machine vision modules.”

The receptacle shell is mounted on the PCB via through-hole solder legs to enhance PCB retention and to resist the wrenching of the cable assembly, protecting the SMT leads. The wire-termination unit and cable clamp are integrated into a single plug shell, which prevents the connecting part of the cable assembly from being affected by the load on the cable.

Because the ix Industrial Series connector’s receptacle supports THR soldering as a substitute for manual soldering, the receptacle can be mounted on the PCB containing both THT and SMT components in a single SMT process. This also contributes to the high PCB retention force.

The ix Industrial Series I/O connector has a rated current of 1.5 A per pin. With an operating temperature range of -40° to 80°C, the ix Series connector has a rated voltage of 30 Vac.

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.
www.hirose.com