Han® Configurator: New features simplify modifications

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Connector can be custom ordered with short delivery times available
For the first time ever, users can now make customised adjustments to the housings of series-produced industrial interfaces by using the Han® Configurator, the HARTING online tool for designing connectors. Cable entries can be modified and identifying letterings can be applied to hoods and housings.
Users can use the Han® Configurator’s new feature to design the position and number of cable entries in line with their own requirements. Even lettering applied to the housing surface can be customised. The Configurator ensures that the interface design meets the respective technical requirements and that the components used are compatible with each other.
As soon as the configuration is completed, a digital record of the solution is ready for download and CAD data and dimensional drawings for the individual part are directly accessible. The online tool helps accelerate design both for the user and for HARTING, meaning new connectors can be manufactured and delivered faster.
“The customising feature in the Han® Configurator means we’re once again expanding the scope for tailor-made products based on the Han® portfolio. Users can use the tool to customise connector components, which allows them to find the optimal connector solution. The tool reduces the effort required to adapt to specific requirements and shortens the path from the drawing board to production,” says Timo Poggemöller, Team Leader Digital Product Service at HARTING Electric.
Features/customer benefits:
– Optimal solutions in combination with Han-Modular®;
– short delivery times for interfaces thanks to fully automated production of the individual connector configuration;
– efficient collaboration via the myHARTING Dashboard with save/sharing capabilities;
– high flexibility in the design process is now expanded to include individual placement of cable exits and laser labelling done directly in the Configurator, meaning no more annoying adhesive labels to stick on;
– direct 3D download option for the interface’s data package.

The Han® Configurator lets users custom design cable entries on connector housings.

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ITSA contribute to the Umbrella Project’s EU submission on RoHS and Reach

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ITSA are delighted to be able to support this important initiative by the Umbrella Project

Umbrella Project_Relationship RoHS and REACH

 

 

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HARTING to showcase latest products at Drives & Controls 2020

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HARTING Ltd will be demonstrating their innovative connector and Industry 4.0 solutions at the Drives & Controls Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham from the 21st to the 23rd April 2020.
On show will be the newest addition to the Han® portfolio, the Han® F+B, a range specially designed for the food and bottling industries, where hygiene and safety are key considerations. All hoods, housings and seals are IP69K rated, so the connections are fully resistant to the water jets used to clean equipment.
They have large nooks and surfaces in accordance with the guidelines of the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), which allows cleaning agents to flow unhindered. The range is also Ecolab approved, meaning it is resistant to highly aggressive cleaning agents.
A key trend within industry is that of miniaturisation; as machinery and equipment becomes more compact, so connectors take up more of the available space. HARTING has responded by producing the Han® 1A, a compact interface which requires up to 30% less space than the Han® 3A.
It employs a system of modular inserts, making it an efficient solution for connecting tools and smaller machine modules such as control terminals and drives.
HARTING’s miniaturised solutions don’t stop with the 1A; the ix Industrial® is a compact, robust replacement for the RJ45 with a 70% smaller PCB socket. The ix combines both power and data transmission into a single interface and is built to withstand the rigours of tough industrial environments.
HARTING are also at the cutting-edge of new product development and will be discussing the T1 Industrial, an IEC 63171-6 standardised industrial interface for Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). The factory of the future will require high data streams and the T1 Industrial brings Ethernet from the cloud to every sensor, thus enabling Industry 4.0.
Current Industry 4.0 products on display will be led by HARTING’s MICA (Modular Industry Computer Architecture), a compact and rugged industrial computer designed for use in production environments. It allows manufacturers to access information from machines such as energy use and cycle times and combine it with production figures to generate valuable real-time data.
Thanks to its open source software, MICA is extremely versatile and can be used to undertake a variety of projects across a range of markets, including asset management.
Also on show will be a range of robust and versatile UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products. Our portfolio includes special transponders, known as RFID tags, which can be used as smart labels on containers or for identifying tools in stores.
An RFID system can cope with harsh, industrial environments, being able to endure wide temperature variations and high humidity. Transponders can also be securely encrypted and password protected to protect sensitive data.
To learn more about our innovative solutions or to discuss your requirements with one of our product experts, please visit us on stand S320 at the Drives & Controls Exhibition.

Image Caption: With an IP69K rating, the Han® F+B is fully resistant to water jets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Caption: The Han® 1A is a compact and extremely versatile connector solution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Caption: HARTING’s Industry 4.0 products are designed for use in production and manufacturing environments.

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binder’s latest M16 X-coded connectors handle up to 10Gbits/s

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binder, a market and technology leader in industrial circular connectors, announces an M16 X – coded connector capable of handling the data speeds demanded by today’s sensor-based automated production facilities. Data transmission figures are an impressive 10Gbits/s.

With the benefits of rugged design and excellent environmental resistance, M16 connectors have become widely used for sensors for both indoor and outdoor use where there is a need for a higher pin count than is offered by M8 and M12 connectors.

The binder 415 Series includes a male/female cable connector along with a panel mounted female connector which is designed to be front fastened. When mated, they are rated to IP67.

415 Series connectors have 8 gold (Au) plated contacts rated to 0.5A at 50V AC, 60V DC and can accommodate cables ranging from 5.5 to 9mm diameter.

 

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Cliff’s most popular FeedThrough Connectors and Accessories can now be supplied in a Pre-Assembled Rack Panel

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Cliff Electronics leaders in the design, development and manufacture of connectors and test equipment have developed a very wide range of
FeedThrough (FT) and conventional connectors designed to be mounted in the industry standard 24mm-diameter XLR panel cut-out. With over 20 different connector types now available in this standard format, panel design and manufacture is greatly simplified. Cliff’s FeedThrough connector design allows standard, off the shelf, cables to be used for internal connectivity further simplifying assembly.

Cliff’s FeedThrough connector range allows designers to integrate audio, video, digital, optical, networking and data feeds into professional equipment for broadcast (studio and mobile), lighting, audio, industrial applications, instrumentation and control connectivity.

To further aid product designers and systems integrators Cliff can now supply 1U x 19” rack panels preassembled with up to 16 connectors to meet the end system’s requirements. Specifying preassembled connector panels assists systems integrators by simplifying and speeding up assembly time while reducing component count and cost. Cliff’s rack panels feature a connector labelling strip located on the front and a cable strain-relief bar is fitted at the rear to secure internal wiring against strain and vibration.

The most popular connectors in Cliff’s FeedThrough range are CAT 5e RJ45, CAT 5e Shielded RJ45, CAT 6 RJ45, CAT 6 Shielded RJ45, HDMI Female – Female, USB 3.0 A-A, USB 2.0 B-A and USB 2.0 A-A. All widely used in data and audio-visual applications.

 

A range of dust covers are now available to protect unused connectors from the ingress of dust. Push-in types in black or white may be used with RJ45 connectors and gasket style versions in red, black and blue are suitable for the rest of the connector range.

Preassembled rack panels available from Cliff feature 16 of their market leading FeedThrough connectors each and are available with 8 male and 8 female 3-pin front mounted XLR sockets as well as in the following configurations: 50Ω, 75Ω and 75Ω gold insulated BNC, CAT6 RJ45 and CAT6A, HDMI A to HDMI A, USB2 A to USB2 B and USB2 B to USB2 A. Fibre Optic connector types ST / BFOC, LC duplex SM and LC duplex MM. Two other non-Feedthrough versions are mounted with XLR 3DCM and XLR 3DCF connectors.

Cliff rack panels may also be supplied without connectors for end users to mount their own single or mix of connector types. Any connector with the standard 24mm-diameter XLR panel cut-out may be fitted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Hall, Managing Director of Cliff Electronics, comments; “As applications for pre-assembled rack panels continue to grow we increase our understanding of the market and can improve our products and customer service. We are seeing increased popularity in certain FeedThrough connector types which helps us tailor our range to best serve our customers. We are always happy to respond to individual customer requirements and our pre-assembled connector rack panels, whether audio, fibre-optic, power or USB, offer systems integrators fast and convenient system assembly.”

 

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ITSA reports that 2019 ends well for the UK connector industry

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• 2019 – ITSA Members posted 5% revenue growth over previous year
• 2019 – Highest revenue year since 2014
• 13% increase in distribution revenue stream

February 20. The European electronics market had what many have described as a “difficult” 2019 with only single digit growth, while the UK market fared marginally better. One of the many sectors that make up the UK marketplace, the connector industry, saw modest growth by the end of the year after a poor first half.
The first two quarters of 2019 saw connector revenues decline reflecting the weakness of the global economy and the high levels of uncertainty caused by Brexit. This according ITSA (Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association).
“It was also a reflection of UK companies adjusting their component inventories which many had built-up as a contingency against the possible consequences of Brexit” says John Biggs, Chairman of ITSA.
“In the second half of 2019, the UK connector sector stabilised as confidence returned to the market and key infrastructure projects were released.
“Against this backdrop our member companies saw a revenue growth of 5% over 2018 and enjoyed the highest revenue year since 2014. A key driver of this growth has been the increase in the distribution revenue stream which increased by 13% and now accounts for 37% of ITSA UK revenues” John Biggs adds.

Key market performance
There are several key markets for ITSA members including MIL/Aerospace, mass transportation and communications and these continue to perform in different ways. During last year, MIL/Aerospace showed a 5% decrease at component level but this was more than offset by an increase in Value Add. Despite project deferrals and Government cutbacks, this sector has continued to grow and remains a long-term focus for ITSA members.
The communications market has shown a gradual decline in revenues at component level as more and more companies focus on offering Value Add solutions. This can be seen clearly with members reporting an overall increase of 36% over 2018 but with 2019 posting the highest revenue level for Value Add since the formation of the association. Clear winners here are Fibre Optics which posted a 63% increase and RF which grew by 31%.
The mass transportation market has also grown significantly over the past five years and although members saw flat revenues in 2019 this is a very project driven market and revenue trends will continue to fluctuate.

All the above should have meant a positive 2019, however, bookings remained very weak and posted three consecutive quarters of negative book to bill ending the year at 0.93:1. This is again a reflection of organisation adjusting their demand and inventories in line with the market uncertainty.
The level of contraction being seen by ITSA members reflects well against the overall trend in UK manufacturing which has reportedly posted its weakest year for seven years

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ITSA hosts its first industry editors meeting in London

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ITSA held its first editors meeting in London on the 20th February. This was the first meeting of its kind and was the beginning of a comprehensive PR/Marketing plan which will continue throughout 2020.

The meeting was attended by several ITSA members together with editors from Electronics Sourcing, Electronic Product Design & Test, Electronics World, Components in Electronics and Electronic Specifier.

Feedback from the meeting has been very positive with a high degree of interest in further promotional activity as well as planned interviews and greater exposure of ITSA, its members and its aims and goals for the future.

There will be more information in the coming weeks.

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ITSA welcomes two new Associate Members

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We are delighted to announce that the association has welcomed Lemco Precision and Swissmetal Industries as the latest companies to join as Associate Members.

 

Lemco Precision SA http://www.lemco-precision.ch  is a leading Supplier of high precision machined pin and socket contacts into the Connector Industry and they offer a fully integrated solution with respect to in-house machining, heat treatment, plating, assembly and forming.

Swissmetal Industries SA https://www.swissmetal.com is known worldwide for its comprehensive range of high performance Copper and Copper Alloy materials into the Connector Industry. Swissmetal have a reputation for being at the forefront of new material developments within the Connector Industry.

Both Lemco Precision  and Swissmetal Industries see themselves as leaders not followers in the Contact / Connector Industry.

Commenting on the new Associate members, John Biggs, Chairman of ITSA stated “We are delighted to welcome these two very highly regarded companies as associate members of ITSA.  As established suppliers of high quality, high specification components into the interconnect industry they already play an extremely important role within our members product sets and markets and I am certain that they will be able to make significant contributions to the associations ambitions moving forward”

 

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ITSA Joins RoHS Umbrella Industry Project

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October 2019 — ITSA – Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association has joined the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (“RoHS”)* Umbrella Industry Project (“the Umbrella Project”)**.


John Biggs, Chairman of ITSA commented “We are delighted to announce that ITSA has joined the Umbrella Project as part of ITSA´s mission and continued efforts to provide a favourable operating environment for the benefit of interconnect technology companies and a dynamic network for exploring and co-operating on mutually beneficial opportunities. Key to ITSA and its members´ continued success is active participation in unprecedented cross-industry global initiatives and forums, such as the Umbrella Project, which enable participants to have discussions and decide any action or position the global industry wishes to adopt with regard to key matters, and influence current and future changes to standards affecting the global industry, including the continuing technical adaptations of existing Exemptions to the European Union (EU)’s RoHS Directive substance restrictions”

Bodo Eilken, Infineon Technologies & Chair of the Umbrella Project added “The Umbrella Project warmly welcomes ITSA as a new Umbrella Project partnering association. We are excited about the potential of ITSA and its members to contribute to the Umbrella Project´s discussions and work underway. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with ITSA and its member companies in the journey of RoHS Exemptions’ technical adaptations, and beyond”.
Notes:
* The EU’s RoHS Directive sets the benchmark and remains the most prominent sector-specific legislation on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It has also served as a model for similar laws introduced in multiple jurisdictions around the world and it continues to rapidly evolve, including on-going and forthcoming policy and regulatory developments requiring continued enhanced leadership, engagement and collaboration across the global industry, and beyond.
** The Umbrella Project is an unprecedented cross-industry initiative, currently involving 53 partnering industry associations globally, aimed at fostering cross-industry dialogue on the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of existing Exemptions from the RoHS Directive substance restrictions and global industry alignment on technical substitution possibilities. Where necessary, dialogues result in joint global cross industry applications to the European Commission for renewal of selected existing Exemptions, or parts thereof, under the conditions laid down in the RoHS Directive. Participants in the Umbrella Project have been key contributors to the current Directive, including the continuing Exemptions’ technical adaptations, to everyone´s benefit.

 

 

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