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(March 17, 2008) SAN DIEGO — Autosplice will provide a custom connector fabrication service to prototypers through volume manufacturing, incorporating FR4 headers rather than special moldings. The company asserts that FR4 optimizes flexibility, costs, reliability, and lead times. Connectors are panelized and available in various thicknesses and with a range of pins/terminals.
Board vendors produce sheets of dimensioned and perforated connectors, based on standard FR4 thicknesses and precise cutting, drilling, and perforation techniques already in use in the PCB industry, explains Autosplice. The FR4 dielectric insulating material holds individual contacts, placed with Autosplice's high-speed automated terminal insertion tools. Options include bandolier pins, surface mount tabs, fuse receptacle terminals, quick-disconnect terminals, and any continuous reel pins.
Terminals can be any pitch or configuration, and the connectors remain panelized for higher-level processing if necessary, such as reflow or wave soldering. The company notes that FR4 connector substrates eliminate the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between boards and connectors, improving final assembly reliability.
Autosplice also will offer epoxy dot standoffs on FR4 connectors, providing "wash-away" spacing for post-soldering tasks. The dots are available from 0.005" to 0.060" tall.
For more information, visit www.autosplice.com.
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