While Samtec started as a connector company with a focus on two-piece, pin-and-socket board stacking systems, High-Speed Board Stacking connectors and High-Speed Cable Assemblies now make up a significant portion of our sales. To support development in this area, in December of 2019, we released a major upgrade to our High-Speed Cable Builder.
This version is built from the ground up, adds several new products, simplifies the product filtering and selection process, and allows the user to easily configure end options once they have found what they need.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the newest features of this version.
Follow along here on Samtec.com
Simplified Filters
The first thing you’ll notice is the simplified set of initial filters for the user to choose a starting product. The previous version had as many as 7 filters in some cases, which could be useful, but was a bit too much.
This version keeps it simple to allow the user to choose from Interconnect Type, Pitch, and Signal Type, in any order. Users also don’t have to populate each filter as in the previous version. You can choose one, two or all three and you’ll get an immediate update with each selection.
If you ever need to go back, a simple click of the Reset Filters action will allow you to start fresh.
Sortable Grid
Once you’ve got a range of options, you can use the grid to sort them, and choose the attributes that are most important to your design.
From there, click a row and proceed with configuring your cable.
Select Options in Any Order
The next section allows you to configure your cable options, such as positions, end options, wiring options, and length. You can also choose these in any order. We also validate your selections as you go so you always have a valid product.
We also present you with the prints for the type of cable you are configuring, as well as allow you to pull up the Technical Specifications page in case you need any additional supporting documentation.
You’ll also see a helper image to the right that will show you a simple representation of the end options are have chosen. These images are designed to paint a picture of the cable without actually showing a full model just yet. This speeds up the design process by deferring the modeling step until after the cable is fully configured. This is a subtle, but important feature for speed.
Once again, if you need to start over, we’ll give you a simple Clear All Filters function so you can start fresh.
Once you have a valid product configured, the “Get Full Cable Solution” button will activate and turn bright orange, signaling that a valid product is configured.
3D Models, Samples, Quotes, and Buy
Next comes what you’ve been waiting for. Once you’ve got your cable configured, you have a variety of options to proceed with your design.
We have most of these cables modeled already, so we’ll show you a 2D image, and a few seconds later we’ll show you a 3D view of your product.
If we don’t have an online model, a 3D model request form will appear in this area.
From here, you can choose to download a 3D model, request a sample, get a quote, or get pricing/lead time.
You can also choose to get an email Specs Kit delivered to you with links to all of the technical documentation for your product.
(Note the 3D model viewer feature is set to release end of January. If you read this post before then, there is a temporary form in place.)
Standalone Version
We also built this as a standalone application that can be embedded anywhere we choose. This allows us to embed the builder directly into our Technical Specifications pages for all relevant products.
See an example of this on the EQDP page.
The benefit is that users can now configure products from either the builder itself or from the product pages, making it easier than ever to build a high-speed cable on Samtec.com.
Try the new High-Speed Cable Builder on Samtec.com.
Coming Soon in 2020
Thanks for following along and being a loyal reader of The Samtec Blog. Keep an eye out for these new updates this year.
- Revamp for our Development Kits Section
- Upgraded Version of Picture Search
- Upgraded Cart and e-Commerce Features
- Personalization Features
- And more…
We’re always looking for ways to improve your online experience.
Drop your email address in the form below if you want to stay in the loop with these updates, as well as the rest of our blog content.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for our web team, feel free to send an email to eHelpDesk@samtec.com.
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