Finalizing the connectors for an application is not an easy job. Engineers consider multiple factors from design, speed, power and performance to materials used, dimensions, and terminations. The contact pin’s shape, design and retentions are indeed among the key considerations for choosing a connector. Let us discuss about some of the most common and cost-effective pin retention designs that affect the performance of any connector.

 

Press Fit

 

This is one of the most common, easiest and cost effective designs. In this solder less termination method, the connector pins are pressed down through properly dimensioned holes in PCBs. It helps to eliminate most of the disadvantages of soldering like, thermal stress on PCB, solder-bridged shorts and joints. Most of Amphenol’s power products can be configured with press-fit terminations, including the PwrBlade® series, PwrMAX® series, and EnergyEdge™ card edge series of connectors in addition to wire-to-board and board-to-board solutions like Quickie®, BergStik® and High-Speed Backplane Connectors like AirMax®, ExaMAX®, ExaMEZZ®, and Paladin®.

 

Pin-In-Paste

 

Also known as Through-Hole-Reflow technology, in this method, connectors are loosely placed on appropriated holes in PCBs and placed under a machine. With the help of this automatic machinery, a liquid solder containing paste under very high temperature melts through the board. The melted paste sucks the solder onto the board making a permanent bond between the solder, paste, and connector lead. The remains of the solder are removed later, leaving the connection firm and permanent. In such connectors the lead is designed in such a way that it doesn’t protrude beneath the PCB. In order to achieve optimum soldering results, Amphenol has launched dedicated Pin-in-Paste connectors like Boltrack™, OCTIS™ Outdoor, D-sub, VerIO™ I/O connectors, Quickie®, and BergStik®.

 

Surface Mount

 

As the name suggests, in this technology the connectors are directed, mounted, or soldered to the top of the PCB. This is one of the most popular pin retention techniques used today as it enables automated PCB assembly making it cost effective. In this method, the connectors can also be manually soldered in addition to reflow techniques mentioned above. Amphenol has a very expanded range of connectors using SMT. EconoStik™, Rib-Cage®, Conan®, Minitek® MicroSpeed, Griplet®, and Cross-Mate™ are a few to name. Many of our High-Speed Card Edge Connectors, DDR Memory Module Sockets, and SAS Storage Connectors also use this method.

 

Floating

 

Floating connectors come with built-in guide posts enabling self-alignment and ensure a secure connection with proper retention of pins in uneven surfaces. They feature vibration resistance and self-alignment for easier mating. Amphenol offers various floating board-to board connectors in 0.40mm, 0.50mm and 0.80mm pitch sizes. In addition to that, we also offer USCAR-2compliant FLTStack 0.50mm Floating Board-to-Board Connector for automotive applications. Our BTFW Series connectors come with mounting plates on both sides of the plug and receptacle to assure secure PCB retention force.

Choose from Amphenol’s range of connectors to match your design requirements.