Continue to Site

Welcome to EDAboard.com

Welcome to our site! EDAboard.com is an international Electronics Discussion Forum focused on EDA software, circuits, schematics, books, theory, papers, asic, pld, 8051, DSP, Network, RF, Analog Design, PCB, Service Manuals... and a whole lot more! To participate you need to register. Registration is free. Click here to register now.

mhoulroyd's Blog

Author mhoulroyd
Create date Aug 30, 2016
Updated Jun 3, 2021

Blog entries Blog details

Filters

Micromachined Spring Probe Components

: mhoulroyd

: Jun 3, 2021

: 1 min read

Views: 2K

: Uncategorized

Small is a relative term. In the 1990's a small PC socket was a leaded device on 2,54mm pin centers, and miniature was a staggered 2,54mm grid. In the past 10 years, small was considered 2mm pitch and miniature was 1,27mm pitch. During my time as a product designer of small precision...

PCB pad design for machined interconnects

: mhoulroyd

: Apr 18, 2021

: 2 min read

Views: 2K

: Uncategorized

Introduction: Specifying the correct printed circuit board pad, land and, hole sizes are critical to the device mechanical attachment of a machined pin or socket. Through-hole PCB designs come in two flavors: plated and unplanted. A plated hole provides a path for solder wicking due to...

Metal forming and fabrication for interconnects

: mhoulroyd

: Mar 17, 2021

: 3 min read

Views: 1K

: Uncategorized

Introduction: For round pins with precision critical diameters, multiple barrel diameter variations, and drilled holes, CNC machining is the ticket. For the other one-billion-part applications, metal forming, and fabrication processes offer the best solutions. Consider the following...

Interconnect Pin Retention Methods

: mhoulroyd

: Mar 8, 2021

: 2 min read

5.00 star(s) 1 ratings

Views: 2K

: Uncategorized

Introduction: One of the most overlooked, least thought-out components assembled to a PCB is the pin terminal. Although they’re not exciting like logic devices, they can present complications to those who disregard their correct application. Consider the profit loss of fully populated PCBs...

Understanding Socket Carriers

: mhoulroyd

: Mar 3, 2021

: 2 min read

Views: 2K

: Uncategorized

Introduction: Reducing height and space is always a goal in new product design. Reducing module space translates into cost savings. For rackmount assemblies, space is limited between printed circuit boards. Low-profile carriers eliminate permanent onboard insulators minimizing socket...

Solder Tail Pin Termination

: mhoulroyd

: Feb 28, 2021

: 2 min read

Views: 4K

: Uncategorized

Hand assembly and soldering of individual pin arrays to a PCB is inefficient, costly, and results in poor product quality. Yet, some manufacturers are still doing this. One old-school production soldering method employed for thru-hole PCB assemblies is called wave-soldering. To accomplish...

What is a hybrid connector?

: mhoulroyd

: Feb 24, 2021

: 4 min read

Views: 1K

: Uncategorized

Introduction: Which quagmire have you experienced lately? Case 1: Your production assembly schedule goes off the rails due to QA finding random misaligned surface mount connectors due to migration during reflow. Case 2: You’re taking returns due to field failures; fatigued surface mount...

Insights on Machined Pin and Socket Assemblies

: mhoulroyd

: Feb 18, 2021

: 4 min read

Views: 1K

: Uncategorized

Introduction: Manually placing fields of discrete pins upon a printed circuit board is a poor production PCB assembly strategy. This action is not only tedious and prone to errors but extremely cost-ineffective too. Vertically unstable pins tilt, creating harmful soldering rework. Misaligned...

Do you really need to purchase custom connectors?

: mhoulroyd

: Feb 17, 2021

: 2 min read

Views: 12K

Comments: 1

: Uncategorized

Have you ever had this experience? After placing a purchase order, the supplier discovers they cannot manufacture the promised part. Because you did not plan properly, you have no choice but to buy an expensive, unproven custom product. With no prior reference history, you are the...

A probable future for the connector hardware world

: mhoulroyd

: Jun 21, 2020

: 2 min read

Views: 11K

Reaction score: 1

Comments: 1

: Uncategorized

Back in the early 1990's, I accompanied our chief engineer to visit Intel. My company had just designed a new high-density pin grid array socket for Intel's new Pentium family. The Intel engineers loved our product and used it in their laboratories for testing. But later during that visit...

Featured

10 important points to consider when using spring-loaded connectors (SLCs) in your design

: mhoulroyd

: Jun 12, 2020

: 3 min read

Views: 6K

: Uncategorized

Spring-loaded pins are rapidly finding new applications in modular product design. Also referred to as SLCs (spring-loaded connectors), this product resolves many of the manufacturing issues like misalignment, coplanarity, and tolerance stack up that can plague traditional pins and sockets...

A brief observation regarding spring pins in high-speed & RF circuits

: mhoulroyd

: Jun 8, 2020

: 1 min read

Views: 2K

: Uncategorized

It's been 4 years since I last posted on the EDAboard. There have been so many changes in the electronics industry. Spring pins are still one of the fastest growing forms of interconnecting two PCBs. The advantages for a designer to use spring pins are numerous: 1) The ability to blind mate two...

About author

mhoulroyd

40 years experience in PCB interconnection
technology. BSMET Farmingdale University 2014
I created ConnectorTechnologies.com to research manufacturing methods and design techniques to develop new and advanced interconnect technologies.

Part and Inventory Search

Blog information

Author: mhoulroyd

Blog entries: 12

Last update: Jun 3, 2021

Share this blog

Copy URL BB code

Copy UBS BB code

This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Accept Learn more…

Back

Top

Welcome to EDAboard.com

mhoulroyd's Blog

Show only:

Part and Inventory Search

Blog information

Share this blog

Connect with us

Online statistics

Forum statistics