Page 41 - 2021 High-Reliability, Harsh Environment Connectivity eBook

There are, however, two types of solderless compression interposers: dual-compression and single-compression. Dual-compression variants establish contact on both sides of the interposer, balancing the opposing compression forces, while single-compression variants establish contact on only one side of the interposer.
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» A dual-compression version of AirBorn’s Z Series Solderless Compression Interposers.
To terminate, the solderless contacts are simply compressed onto PCB pads on one or both sides of the interposer, and that’s it. No soldering required. This is one of the primary benefits of solderless compression interposers, as it eliminates any concerns or expenses associated with soldering, including cracked solder joints, precision placement equipment, X-ray inspection, and RoHS compliance concerns due to lead content contamination.
Press-fit connectors also support solderless termination but, unlike solderless compression interposers, generally establish permanent connections and, as such, don’t offer the same versatility in terms of removal and reinstallation. Solderless compression interposers, on the other hand, are explicitly designed to support impermanent installation, no-consequence unmating, and plug-and-play reinstallation, which makes maintenance and upgrades for applications such as joystick controls in large commercial aircraft fast, easy, and affordable.
Benefits of Solderless Compression Interposers
Additional benefits of solderless compression interposers, beyond quick and easy mating and unmating and durable, reliable connectivity in harsh environments, include:
• Compatibility with extreme-density, board-to-board or flex-to-board applications with pitches as tight as 0.4mm.
• Proven alternatives for applications in which soldered connections are either not desirable or impossible.
• Tolerance compensation, which allows boards to be stacked on top of each other since the spring movement accommodates for tolerance stack-ups.
• Blind mating capabilities. Since no insertion is required and compression contacts self-correct for x, y, z, rotational, and angular target misalignment, there’s no risk of broken or bent pins or mismating.
• The ability to connect surfaces that are not perpendicular to the contact axis, which is especially advantageous in instances where slight board bowing could occur.
• Options for ultra-low-profile designs with profile heights of less than 2mm.
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