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CABLES & CONNECTORS FEATURE
FARMS OF THE FUTURE CULTIVATING THE
As the agricultural industry embraces the latest smart farming technology, farmers will need to ensure that equipment, including connectors,
doesn’t become a costly bottleneck in facilitating this smooth transition. PEI Genesis comments
can be used to capture footage, giving the farmer a bird’s-eye video to detect issues with irrigation, soil variation and even pest and fungal infestations. This increases crop production. The paradigm shift in agriculture means
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that farms will increasingly use everything from drones and field sensors to autonomous harvesting equipment and cab-mounted GPS units, to send data back-to-base. As such, farmers need to upgrade the equipment as they go – and that even includes the humble connector.
CONNECTOR REQUIREMENTS Responsible for delivering power, connecting cameras to screens in the tractor cab, and allowing the operator to send control signals to harvesting attachments, such connectors are designed to handle harsh conditions. While a stainless-steel connector is useful
for heat shielding, its weight may make it less favourable for drone applications. A plastic or composite connector, meanwhile, offers a low weight solution that’s inherently resistant to corrosion and chemicals. Plastic can, however, wear with prolonged outdoor exposure. In some cases, a balance could be achieved with an aluminium connector featuring electroless nickel plating, delivering a low weight, metalised and durable connector. Growing complexity means farmers will need to consider the ability to transfer power
armers are using technology to build farms of the future. For instance, drones fitted with a multispectral imaging system
and high-speed data effectively. They may need high bandwidth fibre optic cables that collect and process the data from all the sensors as well as the wireless control signals from the remote operator. Basic connectors will comprise of variations
of existing cylindrical style M12 Ethernet connectors, favoured for their rugged build, in addition to bayonet and push-fit quick release designs that make it easier to unmate when wearing gloves and during cold weather. Easy to use, these push-pull connectors
have become increasingly popular across industry – and may become standardised in many agricultural applications in the future.
More advanced connectors make use of the ISO-Bus platform, a system that allows farmers to employ different equipment from different manufacturers with the same tractor and towing vehicles, increasing compatibility as a result.
MODULAR SOLUTIONS To meet application demands, PEI-Genesis can support customers in designing a fully modular connector assembly. Here, farmers can integrate multiple types of connectors into a single plate to meet today’s needs – swapping the inserts when they need to upgrade cables or configuration of contacts in five years’ time. For example, exchanging copper to fibre optic, while retaining the same shell housing and external features of the connector. This allows farmers to upgrade their system
without incurring additional testing, drawing, reengineering and production costs. It will also give farmers the flexibility to make changes quickly in order to adapt to market conditions without incurring high costs in the process.
PEI-Genesis T: 02380 621309
www.peigenesis.com/en/connectors/ DESIGNING SPACE WORTHY CONNECTORS
The ‘Key considerations for designing space worthy electrical connectors’ infographic from PEI-Genesis aims to shed light on the considerations and challenges involved in developing connectors for space missions. Available on the website, the visual resource explores the challenge of outgassing mitigation, emphasising the need to prevent materials like elastomers and plastics from releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could contaminate sensitive equipment. It also highlights the importance of minimising residual magnetism in connectors to ensure optimal performance and reliability in space environments; and addresses EMI-RFI shielding and environmental sealing. The infographic further discusses suitable connectors for space exploration, such as
MIL-DTL-38999, D-Sub, Micro-Miniature and push-pull connectors from industry-leading manufacturers, such as Amphenol, ITT Cannon, Cinch and Eaton. Alex Raymond, product manager at PEI-Genesis, said: “The launch of this infographic
underscores PEI-Genesis’ dedication to fostering innovation and achieving excellence in the realm of interconnect solutions. Through the provision of invaluable resources, our company endeavours to equip engineers, designers, and enthusiasts with the essential knowledge required to adeptly navigate the complexities of space exploration.”
JUNE 2024 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 43
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