INTERCONNECTION EDITOR’S INTERVIEW
SPRING AND THE CONNECTION TO CHANGE
socket contact.” These features are known to provide a wide range of benefits to a broad range of applications, but perhaps most appropriately within the commercial aviation market. Henderson highlights that: “One
Bill Henderson, Global Director, Commercial Aviation and Defence at Smiths Connectors
Spring is the key time of year to consider change and regeneration. With this in mind, Smith Connectors, a technology specialist in high performance interconnect solutions, is currently undergoing an invigoration of its product development. In an interview with Bill Henderson, Global Director, Commercial Aviation and Defence at Smiths Connectors, Michelle Winny, Editor of Electronics discovers what this means for the company
E
volution is an important factor to just about everything that needs or wants
to progress. Taking something and examining its working dynamics to see how it can be improved, modified, adapted and hopefully enhanced is a vital factor that is synonymous with the electronics world. This is frequently reflected in both the product generations that are delivered and the business models that drive the electronics industry’s commercialism. Smith Connectors is a prime example of both. Bill Henderson, who recently personally experienced evolution by stepping up to the role of Global Director, Commercial Aviation and Defence at Smiths Connectors, advises that, Smiths Connectors is currently “experiencing an exciting revitalisation of its product development activities.” In effect, the company is aiming for an improved focus of its market platform and product development. Henderson adds that the company’s aim is to be “market focused” to deliver its existing platform of standard products and services to the industry whilst ensuring a portfolio of innovative new products that respond to market needs; and reflect the technical expertise of the company. Henderson
advises, this includes concepts proven in many of its bespoke solutions. This will enable the company to offer a much greater spectrum of leading edge products on a wider scale to a broader range of customers and markets.
A MARKET FOCUSED PLATFORM Henderson highlights that the company is aiming for a “stronger focus on market platform product development.” An example of this approach can be found in the recent release of its new VITA 46 and VITA 48 compliant KVPX PCB connector product range. This product builds on the company’s successful Compact PCI (cPCI) product, claimed to be already proven in harsh environments and becoming the connector of choice for space applications. Fully compliant with the latest ruggedised standards, Henderson adds that: “The KVPX continues the approach of reverse gender orientation of motherboard and daughterboard connectors, a feature that has become thematic within Smiths Connectors, and adopts the hyperboloid technology for the
/ ELECTRONICS
KVPX Connector Series from Smiths Connectors
application specific that is key to aircraft design is that of weight.” Noting that: “While it is crucial that each component is a balance between performance and cost, always ensuring the operational integrity of the aircraft, there is also the opportunity to provide improved performance in one area, allowing for cost reductions to be achieved in another. By exploiting the environmental characteristics of the hyperboloid socket, high performance connectors such as the KVPX can allow weight savings to be realised through the simplification of the rack or box design.” Henderson continues: “Often avionics boxes are stiffened to ensure damaging vibrations, potentially leading to connector failure through the action of fretting corrosion, are minimised. The need for this is greatly reduced when adopting hyperboloid socket based connectors such as cPCI or KVPX and thus weight and cost can be removed from the box or rack design. The ongoing operational cost of the aircraft, in part determined by its weight, can therefore also be improved.” The adoption of connectors that are
“By
exploiting the environmental characteristics of the hyperboloid socket, high performance connectors such as the KVPX can allow weight savings to be realised ...”
compliant with emerging ruggedised industry standards applicable to the commercial aviation market, brings a range of benefits to the supply chain. Connector standards allow performance upgrades and technology refreshes to be implemented cost effectively, without having to change the basic underlying architecture of the system already installed. With aircraft expected to be in operation for 20-30 years at a time, opportunities to accommodate such technology developments continue to arise. Recognising the needs of the market, and responding accordingly, Smiths Connectors is perhaps enjoying its own
spring, the time of new growth and optimism.
Smiths Connectors
www.smithsconnectors.com 0208 450 8033 Enter 216 ELECTRONICS | MAY 2014 15
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