Substances (RoHS) act, companies are banning metals like lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) and replacing them with silver (Ag) or nickel (Ni) in plating or Tin-Silver- Copper (Sn-Ag-Cu) in soldering. Manufacturing techniques have also changed in the name of sustainability. Miniature connectors require precision engineering, rather than traditional machining and moulding processes which can lead to excessive material waste. 3D printing and precision injection moulding methods used in miniature connector production reduce scrap metal and plastic waste and have been implemented across the industry to make production more sustainable. Connector manufacturers such as Amphenol
ith electronic devices becoming smaller, components need to fit into minimised spaces while maintaining high
performance, durability and reliability. As an example, in the automotive industry the
surge in vehicle electrification and autonomous driver systems call for more lightweight, high-power connectors. Integrating multiple power sources into one connector allows for a high-current system which reduces weight without compromising high power, often supporting 1000 volts (V). In miniature connectors, however,
configuration materials must meet specifications that focus on performance, weight, durability and reliability. Due to this, traditional materials used in connectors have been swapped or modified. For connector housings and insulation,
composite materials and polymers have become popular. Composites, for instance, have the best properties of metals and polymers due to their light weight and high mechanical strength. They also improve the component’s resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which results in consistent optimised performance. Another innovation is nano-coatings. No
thicker than 2µM, they add a microscopic protective layer to a miniature connector and enhance corrosion resistance, conductivity and mechanical durability. These qualities enable smaller, yet still efficient, connectors with longer lifespans.
44
Miniature connectors have prompted a complete refurbishment in component design, and with this innovation comes opportunities to make the industry more sustainable. In line with the Restriction of Hazardous
are seeking investment in renewable power. According to the company’s renewable 2024 Sustainability Report, it has already achieved a 34% reduction in revenue-normalized Scope 1 and 2 (market-based) GHG emissions in 2024 compared to 2021. As major brands move closer towards energy efficient productions, in demand connectors like Amphenol’s 2M Series Micro-Miniature – supplied by PEI-Genesis – aligns closer with the industry’s move toward sustainable connector solutions. Micro connectors have a mighty impact on industry applications. Moving forward, collaboration across engineering, materials science and manufacturing will be essential to maintain progress and innovate the separate bodies of miniature and sustainability further.
The connectors form a modular system, designed
for applications in harsh industrial environments. They feature a safe locking mechanism, suitable for signal, power, pneumatic, coax and Ethernet connections, and feature excellent EMC protection and water-resistant ratings from IP65 to IP69K. The connectors are vibration-proof and have excellent corrosion resistance, and come with VDE, UL, CSA approvals. Potential markets include industrial, chemical, marine, military, transport and EV applications. The range offers a wide variety of pole sizes from three
to 280 poles per connector, with current ratings up to 250A per contacts and voltages up to 1000V. According to the company, configuration is very simple: select an insert that meets the
application’s requirements, choose the related contacts (if not included in the inserts), choose the related housings and, finally, choose the related cable gland. Cable assemblies are also available on request.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
