Swiss Connect 13 - PRECI-DIP SA

PRECI-DIP DURTAL SA · CH-2800 DELEMONTWWW.PRECIDIP.COMGoing strong: Preci-Dip’s Contact TechnologyInnovative power clip design allows up to 50 AmpsThe result of this redesign is self-explanatory:with the new clip, a contact of size #16 (forpin dia. 1.6 mm) will operate with the samepower rating as a contact #12 (2.4 mm dia.).In other words: as compared to the old contactversions, the new power contact willhave the same performance with 1 to 1.5mm less outside diameter. Hence, a connectorwith 10 contacts per row (old version)can now be replaced by a connectorwith 12 contacts per row, with identical airand creeping distances.The basic conceptThe problem our design engineers had tosolve originates from a general requirementin industrial electronics: transmission ofhigher currents with connectors of smallersize.In connection technology, the best innovativeideas are, most of the time, those allowingto build on existing products and solutions.In the case of the new power contact, thepower clip was redesigned from scratch. Allthe same, it fits into existing standard contactbodies – with at least a 10Amp increasein the power rating versus existing contactsof the same diameter. And it matches, ofcourse, with the existing male contacts.The basic principle of the female contact intwo parts (clip and body) is thus maintained– with total freedom in selective plating,just to name one major advantage – and itopens wider fields of application.Needless to say that the power contact alsofits into standard insulator cavities...More power also means more heatIt is an old truth that power transmissioncomes along with thermal losses whichmust be kept as low as possible. The easiestway to handle this problem is to increasethe size of the conducting elements. Sadly,our customers would not be happy with biggerconnectors.The critical element of a separable electricalconnection is the contact point, or betterthe actual surface of the clip in touch withthe pin and – in the case of a two-part contact– with the contact body.In both cases, the geometry, size andmechanical function of the new power cliphave been optimised in a way to improveperformance in terms of:- Lower ohmic resistance for reduced heating;- Increased contact surface between the clipand both the inserted pin and the contactbody;- Improved heat transfer in order to minimiseheating in the contact zone.A solution which makes senseMaintaining the original two-part concept,based on a precision-machined, solid contactbody, with different manufacturingprocesses for each part, has many advantages:- Freedom of selecting the appropriate typeof plating independently for each part.- The machined contact body allows designflexibility thanks to the possibility of easy,expedient changes at moderate cost andminimum order quantity.- Use of brass as raw material of the contactbody instead of costly special alloys. Brasshas very good machining properties, itscost is interesting and the functional propertiesare excellent.- High-speed stamping of the clip for material-savingproduction at low cost.- Fully automatic assembly of clip and contactbody with 100% on-line inspection.- Contacts with power clip are interchangeablewith standard contacts.- Thanks to the interchangeability of thecontacts, mixed signal/power layouts arepossible by using existing standard insulatorswith one single type of cavity.For the customers’ own endExisting manufacturing equipment, most ofthe toolings and, last but not least, QualityAssurance and the computer-controlled productionand logistics system are completelycompatible with the production requirementsof the new power contact.Preci-Dip customers will have the benefits ofthis situation in every respect: better performancewith connectors of identical orsmaller size. All this with a product from amanufacturer whose excellent technical4