When mating two or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), what’s the easiest way to be certain you have a robust, reliable, secure PCB stacking connection? The answer is often to use a precision board stacking standoff, especially in high shock and vibration environments.
Samtec’s SureWare™ ultra-rugged hardware family includes several varieties of board stacking standoffs, each with their own unique features and benefits. However, ALL are designed to work with Samtec high-speed, high-density board-to-board mated sets, including SEARAY™, LP Array™, Q Strip®, NovaRay®, Edge Rate®, and AcceleRate® HP.
Offering precision board stacking standoffs that match PCB stack heights of these popular Samtec product families streamlines the overall process by having a single supplier. Also, SureWare™ precision board stacking standoffs have unique features which assist in alignment in blind mate applications, and make unmating PCBs a manageable, easy process. They also mitigate damage to components and solder joints in high-normal-force applications.
Samtec standoffs are available in different materials. Some are available with a black oxide coating which is abrasion-resistant and decreases light reflection. As a result, black oxide coating is often used in space or mil/aero applications. Samtec standoffs are also available in stainless steel, which is corrosion resistant with high tensile strength, or aluminum alloy which is lighter weight than stainless steel but still is very strong and durable.
Samtec’s Precision Board Stacking Standoffs, for secure PCB stacking include:
GPSOM Series
GPSOM is our newest standoff. GPSOM stands for “Guide Post Standoff, Mini“ because its diameter is over 30% smaller than our previous GPSO Series. Its small size makes GPSOM ideal for extremely dense board-stacking applications. Additional features:
- Assists with board alignment when blind mating
- Stack Heights: 7 mm & 9 mm
- Diameter: 5 mm
- Material: Black oxide coating
- Meets MIL-C-13294 class 4 specifications
GPSO Series
GPSO was Samtec’s first precision board stacking standoff to assist with board alignment when blind mating. This video shows this feature way better than I can explain. So, I’ll let the video do the talking (it only takes ~00:30 to see the alignment occur…it’s worth the added half minute of watch time, trust me). GPSO also features:
- Stack Heights: 5 mm to 30 mm
- Diameter: 7.62 mm
- Material: Black oxide coating
- Meets MIL-C-13924 specifications
JSOM Series
Samtec’s “Jack Screw Standoff, Mini” (JSOM) is 2 mm smaller in diameter than our JSO Series and has specific stack height options designed for PCI/104-Express™ & VITA 42, 57.1 and 57.4 standards. JSOM features:
- Stack Heights: 5 mm to 15.24 mm
- Assists unmating in high-normal-force applications to ensure no damage to PCB components or solder joints (watch the video)
- “ASP” part numbers designed to work specifically with PCI/104-Express™ & VITA 42, 57.1 and 57.4
- Diameter: 6 mm
- Material: Stainless steel
JSO Series
Samtec’s Jack Screw Standoffs (JSO) can assist unmating in high-normal-force applications and are available with a press-fit or a threaded base. JSO features:
- Stack Heights: 4 mm to 16 mm
- Assists unmating in high-normal-force applications to ensure no damage to PCB components or solder joints (watch the video)
- Diameter: 8 mm
- Material: Stainless steel
SO Series
Our SO Series works like a traditional board stacking standoff, has press-fit or threaded options, and a locking compound option. SO features:
- Stack Heights: 5 mm to 30 mm
- Diameter: 4 mm (hex) to 6.35 mm
- Material: 6061 Aluminum or Stainless steel
A locking compound is available for any precision board stacking standoff Series listed above.
A complete list of SureWare hardware options is found on the SureWare landing page.
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