CABLES & CONNECTORS FEATURE


London to Birmingham in 15 minutes? When the WARR team from the Technical University of Munich achieved a top


speed of 467km/h for their SpaceX Hyperloop Pod, interconnect solutions from Nicomatic played an important role. Phil McDavitt, MD Nicomatic UK, explains


I


n this always-connected world where skype and


other internet-based communications systems mean that we can always remain in touch, people still want to travel. But could London to


Birmingham in 15 minutes be a future reality? If the speeds achieved by the winners of the 2018 global SpaceX Hyperloop Pod contest could be practically implemented, a quarter of an hour after boarding in London you would not only be alighting in the UK’s second city, you could also be perusing a copy of the Birmingham Mail. Such rapid mass-transit systems, however, pose an immense challenge to the electronic components that enable them.


FACING THE DEMANDS A Hyperloop comprises a sealed tube or system of tubes through which a pod may travel free of air resistance or friction, conveying people or objects at high speed. Tesla founder, Elon Musk, has done much to publicize the system. Companies keen to be first adopters have been formed, and several student teams are working to advance the technology.


“Despite its near frictionless operation, Hyperloop places some very heavy demands on the


electronic systems that enable it, especially on the Pod. Size and weight are obvious challenges, but with electromechanical components such as connectors, vibration is also a massive issue”


SpaceX, manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft, has built a 1.6km


track in California to support its Pod design competition, which sees students vie to achieve the highest speed. This year, that honour goes to the WARR team from the Technical University of Munich, which achieved a top speed of 467km/h. While Musk targeted Los Angeles to San Francisco (560km) in 35


minutes at the project launch in 2013, the WARR team envisaged Munich to Berlin (505km) in about the same time. Although the German team is still a little off their pace, this year’s victory was the third in a row – and their 2018 top speed was nearly 50% higher than last year. So their target is well in sight. Impressive! Despite its near frictionless operation, Hyperloop places some very


heavy demands on the electronic systems that enable it, especially on the Pod. Size and weight are obvious challenges, but with electromechanical components such as connectors, vibration is also a massive issue. But in addition to vibration, another issue is acceleration, as WARR


technical lead, Martin Riedel explained. “We are accelerating at 1G and braking at up to 10G, so the connector must guarantee signal integrity under these forces. Weight is also vital in this respect in order to keep the power-to-weight ratio as high as possible. And, of course, miniaturisation is important to keep system dimensions small – as long as robustness is not compromised.”


/ DESIGNSOLUTIONS DESIGN SOLUTIONS | NOVEMBER 2018 27 Nicomatic connectors


CONNECTOR INNOVATION With over 40 years’ experience delivering rugged interconnect solutions, Nicomatic was an obvious choice of interconnection partner for the Hyperloop SpaceX Pod contest. The company combines a proven track record with continuous creative connector innovation. Many of its products are Mil-Spec approved, and its manufacturing processes are based on modular processes, which means that designers can choose from millions of combinations, ordering without MOQs on a one week lead time. For its winning Pod design, the WARR team found Nicomatic’s 2mm


pitch CMM micro-connectors to be extremely beneficial. Not only do they feature a compact, light and high-performance construction, they also offer extremely high resistance to shock and vibration, so are able to guarantee signal integrity under the challenging conditions that Hyperloop pods experience. Nicomatic’s DLMM


Series connectors, featuring metallized insulator with 360˚ shielding function including backshells, were also considered for this project. Suited for both


board-to-board (due to its secure wiping length) and board-to-wire (from AWG 24 to 30) applications, CMM connectors are available with any pin selection from 04 to 60 signal contacts. Cabled versions can be assembled at Nicomatic or by the customer. Riedel added: “We found the crimping process to be very simple.


The flexibility of the connector design and the short lead times from the factory enabled us to iterate our designs very easily and quickly.” As for next year, Riedel said: “We are delighted to announce that


we have already entered the 2019 competition, and are recruiting the most able students to help us maintain our lead in the competition. We are happy to continue with Nicomatic as our preferred supplier of connectors for this challenging project, and thank them very much for the support they have given us.”


Nicomatic www.nicomatic.co.uk


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