Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. I can’t describe how many times I sat across from an engineer describing his exotic approach to an interconnect challenge, only to show him that there is a much simpler, easier and cost effective approach to achieving the same result. It’s not the fault of the engineer, he […]
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How does height impact socket receptacle selection?
Many, many moons ago, as a young PCB designer, I remember my boss yelling at me to hurry up with my design. He kept barking “don’t worry about the connector, we’ll deal with it later, just put a ‘keep out’ area in that location and run the signals to dummy IO points.” There were so […]
What are the most common and cost-effective pin retention designs?
When selecting components for their applications, mechanical and electrical engineers, must understand some general guidelines for their PCB interconnect requirements. Below is a short list of nine of the most common and cost-effective pin retention designs and where they may be used. Press-Fit Barb — is specifically for non-plated through holes. This is the easiest and […]
What are the benefits of screw machine interconnects?
As Principal Engineer for a large connector manufacturer, each day I am challenged by electrical engineers and mechanical engineers to help bridge their leading edge technology from one module to another. I remember years ago, when the pin grid array went obsolete to the emerging QFP quad-flat pack, people said that “screw machine was a […]
When should you use floating pin technology?
One of the biggest challenges facing assembly of SMT interconnects is maintaining lead coplanarity over a distance. The greater the distance, the more likely the PCB surface may display the effects of warp, twist, and thickness tolerances. If the device lead is seated too high above the solder paste, then this will be either a […]
How do you create ultra-low profile socket locations on a PCB?
Socket receptacle carriers are probably one of the least known, least understood methods of creating ultra-low profile socket locations onto a PCB. A socket carrier looks just like a single-in-line or dual-in-line device, however closer inspection finds the individual receptacles are temporarily being held in position for PCB placement and soldering. Typically tail-less socket receptacles […]
What are horizontal mount interconnects?
Horizontal mount screw machine pin-and-socket receptacle interconnects sit parallel to the surface of a printed circuit board. One reason why they’re so advantageous from a product design standpoint is that their mating centerline is low profile to the PCB. These horizontal mount interconnects can come in two configurations: surface-mount and right-angle through-hole. The primary advantage […]
What are the benefits of spring-loaded contacts?
Probably the fastest growing type of interconnect being used by engineers is the spring-loaded contact. Spring-loaded contacts (aka SLCs) are ideal for creating solderless interconnections between mating modules, such as a handheld instrument to docking station, instrument to recharger, stacking PCBs, etc. SLCs are ideal for new product design for the following reasons: 1. They’re […]
