What services can cable assembly companies offer?

[treez]

Hello,

We have a very difficult connection problem with our electronics.

We need to connect from a 4 Amp current source to a bank of LEDs (46V across the LED bank which comprises parallel LEDs ) in a big light. The LEDs are mounted on MCPCB and thus it is difficult to solder big connectors to the MCPCB. The MCPCB is very small and the LEDs are mounted next to each other to assure good thermal coupling. It is also a slightly moveable light, and so we need the cables (wires) to be malleable and thin. Therefore, we are paralleling multiple 26AWG wires, -however, it is not a good solution, and we are not derating the connector senough (Molex picoblade 1.25mm pitch)

Supposing we contact an interconnection company such as Contour.uk.com
http://www.contour.uk.com/

They will be better qualified than us to specify a suitable cable assembly with suitable connectors, but what will they ask for in terms of money? I mean, once they’ve told us which cable and connector to use, what’s to stop us from just using it and not paying them anything? So I guess I am asking, “how do companies like contour.uk.com make money?
(We don’t want to ask contour this question as its not an “appropriate” question to ask a company)

 

[betwixt]

I would guess they would only produce cables to your specification so the connector choice would be yours alone. They may be able to give advice based on past experience but that may in turn impact your board design to accommodate a new connector.

The business they would be looking for is in the wiring and cable assembly and I would imagine their assumption would be that if you are contracting the work out, it's because you don't want to do it yourself. I can't see their expertise or quotes being 'inappropriate' under the circumstances.

Brian.

 

[treez]

thanks, we have our own in-house assembly, so wouldn't need them to make them for us....we want their advice in what is the best connector...but why should they tell us that?...because once they've told us, we have the info and have no need to pay them........so how do we get advice off contour, and how is it worth their while to give us their advice?.......do we have to pay them to go and spec a connector, and then they spec it for us?...and we just have to hope that they spec a good connector?

 

[betwixt]

As you have your own assembly team, and they probably know that, I would politely approach them and ask for advice. They will be aware of the financial consequences of divulging their trade secrets so they will either decline your request or quote for giving it. Bear in mind that if they give you information and charge for doing so, you have entered a contract and they could be held responsible for giving bad advice.

A better solution might be to ask connector manufacturers for help. They have in interest in selling you a suitable product and in my experience, will leave you lots of samples to experiment with. You will almost certainly be dealing with them for purchasing the conectors eventually anyway.

Brian.