Page 33 - 2021 Connectivity Components: Everything but the Connectors eBook

Why Overmolding is a Key Issue in the Design of Interconnect Solutions
Gérard Biscaras, R&D Project Manager; Thierry Chapot, R&D Engineer; Guillaume Renaud, R&D Engineer; Arnaud Peru, R&D Engineer; and Didier Gloaguen, Business Development Manager, Axon’ Cable
A reliable and robust electrical connection requires more than cables and connectors. Depending on the application and the environment, a better solution may be to develop special connections with inserted or overmolded pins. Electrical contacts can be totally protected by a plastic overmolding made from a material selected to meet mechanical or environmental protection and space constraints. The protective function of this overmolding feature is essential to ensure the reliability of the connection. Overmolding can also be an asset to adapt and facilitate the integration of the connection into the customer’s system.
Connecting without a connector
For connections on printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA), the use of standardized connectors is typical but, depending on the size and the specific customer requirements, customized interconnect solutions may be necessary.
Unit pressfit contacts
The pressfit contact solution on a circuit board is one of these solutions. A stamped contact with the pressfit function (eye-of-the-needle) is inserted into the plated hole of a PCB without the need for additional soldering operations. This insertion can be automated with the integration of dedicated machines into the assembly lines.
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