In a time of 3D printers in many engineers' (and future engineers) shops, labs, or basements, we keep looking for ways to produce parts faster. You may be asking how far away are we from 3D printing connectors. When is Samtec going to replace all its automation with a bunch of shiny 3D printers? Can I get my parts faster if I make them myself? As a director of a regional makerspace, we deal with 3D printers every day and get questions from every direction of “what can I make with … [Read more...]
Is it Uncomfortable at the Cutting Edge?
Innovation can sometimes be an uncomfortable business. The history of invention is filled with examples of ideas that were dismissed at the time, and it is the measure of the inventor whether they can bounce back from rejection. From Alexander Graham Bell with his telephone to Thomas Edison with the electric light bulb, there is a distinguished group of famous names who struggled to be taken seriously. There is something noble, or even romantic, about the idea of the lone … [Read more...]
Connectors Driving Industrial Sensors
In almost any electrical application, you will find hundreds, if not thousands of sensors. Whether they are photoelectric, magnetic, infrared, or retroreflective, all sensors play a crucial part in any automated system. Some applications include tracking, monitoring, communicating, and measuring, all of these taking place simultaneously at rapid rates. As a result, everything from a manufacturing plant to a laboratory becomes much more accurate and efficient. It's easy to see that without … [Read more...]
One of A Kind – One Piece Board-to-Board Interconnects
Board-to-board interconnect systems come in all shapes and sizes. Obviously, selecting the right interconnect set for your application is paramount to success. Designers need to choose products that meet their size, shape, mechanical, and electrical requirements. Two-piece interconnect sets, with a terminal that interfaces with a socket/receptacle, are the most common application. Rugged For designers who need micro pitch interconnects in a rugged, high shock and vibration … [Read more...]