Connectors | Focus designers towards new innovations and design techniques. Qualifying new prototype connectors and cable assemblies (before handing their designs and all key information over to a production site) also depends on a much wider range of well-established tests. Among these can be a variety of methods for gauging physical durability, such as cable-bending tests, tensile strength tests, retention force tests, sealing tests in environmental and pressure chambers, and shock, impact and vibration testing. Additionally, electrical analyses such as voltage and current capacity tests are vital steps towards the safety rating of connector and cable products; these can simultaneously test their thermal stability by deliberately driving up the current to induce heat in the copper towards a possible melting or breaking point in the surrounding material. Lastly, as maintenance, repair and associated inventory requirements become more important prospects for uncrewed systems manufacturers aiming to offer a cost-effective product, automated test machinery for repeatedly mating and unmating connectors until a fault occurs are becoming indispensable for calculating and pushing the lifespan of new connectors. Manufacturing As mentioned, connector companies across the board are raising their manufacturing capacities, largely through expanding existing facilities or opening new factories in nearby locations, rather than trusting contract manufacturers or investments in faraway places that could become inaccessible in the event of a new pandemic or conflict. Given the growing nature of the global autonomous and uncrewed vehicle industry, and how connector orders could rise exponentially with the number of professional uncrewed systems being signed for and delivered, a few suppliers are taking a distinctly modular approach to new facility layouts and development. Generally, this means model production layouts, which can be planned, built and then copied across structures or zones without needing to restructure the existing assets. Such layouts typically begin with a tightly controlled inflow of parts orders. Quality control (QC) is critical, given the wide range of suppliers that pins, contact blocks, backshells, fasteners, O-rings, wires, cable jackets and other components may come from. It is also vital, because not all products are made to order; many connectors and cable assemblies are manufactured in excess of the ordered batches to facilitate future spot purchases, as the faster connector supplier will win the order (and a quality product is more likely to spark a follow-up purchase). Harwin’s connector products are proven to perform in extreme conditions, with shock, vibration and temperature range rigorously tested. WITH OUR QUALITY, SERVICE, SUPPORT, AND HIGHLY RELIABLE PRODUCTS, YOU CAN DEPEND ON HARWIN. CONNECT TECHNOLOGY WITH CONFIDENCE WWW.HARWIN.COM Harwin Uncrewed Systems Jan 25 v2.indd 1 14/01/2025 12:26
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mzk4