What You Need to Know About Board to Board Connectors
Board-to-board connectors make connections between printed circuit boards (PCB). They are offered in many styles and pitches to fit space constraints and electrical requirements.
Connectors have different contact materials and plating options that impact their conductivity performance, quality and physical endurance. For example, copper is commonly plated in a bright or matte finish.
Insulators
The insulators used in board to board connectors are vital for protecting the contacts and board to board connector the surrounding circuitry from damage. These insulators are typically made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or poly ether ether ketone (PEEK). The selection of the right material depends on a number of factors, including the desired electrical and mechanical performance. In order to provide high reliability, insulators should be tough and durable.
They should also be able to resist the effects of vibration, humidity, and chemicals. Additionally, they should be able to withstand an electric current of up to 30 A. Depending on the design, some insulators may also have special features, such as hermetically sealing or resistance to chemical corrosion.
The insulator material should also be easy to mold and process. The manufacture of these insulators requires high precision due to the small separation between partitions. To ensure the correct molding process, CAD tools are used to create precise dies that can correctly transfer the resin to produce the insulator. The use of these tools allows the production of insulators with excellent thermal properties and high electrical insulation. This is important for the long-term performance of the board to board connector. The AX01 floating board-to-board connector, for example, features a rolled surface, which reduces contact insertion force and improves contact reliability.
Pins
Board-to-board connectors connect multiple circuit boards together. They transfer power and signals between them. They can be used in any electronics system, including computers and mobile devices. These connectors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on their use. Some are soldered to the PCB, while others have a screw or spring mechanism that clamps the wire. In addition, some have special features, such as locking connectors that prevent unauthorized disconnection or quick-connect products that are easy to connect and disconnect.
Some pins are metal plated to improve their connection capabilities. Common plating options include gold, silver, and nickel. In addition to enhancing the connection ability of pins, these metals are also useful for reducing contact resistance. Various types of pins are available for different purposes, such as standard pins, flat contact pads, and angled contact points. The type of pin you choose depends on your design requirements and your budget.
There are a number of different kinds of board-to-board connectors, which differ in their size, design, and stack heights. Some are designed for mezzanine, backplane, or coplanar connections, and others feature a high-speed signal density. Molex offers a range of board-to-board connectors with varying pitch and stack heights. These include the MEG-Array connector, which uses a 1mm grid of high-speed signals and grounds. Other high-density solutions include the AirMAX, XCede, and BergStak family of connectors.
Plating
A board to board connector connects two printed circuit boards together without a cable. The connection can be permanent by “hard soldering” it with a pin header on each side of the circuit board or temporary, such as when using expansion cards. A board to board connector’s type depends on the application and the environment in which it will be used. They come in a variety of packages, mounting styles, and pin pitches. For example, some have straight pins while others have pins bent over at 90 degrees for a right-angle connector or shrouded in plastic to create male and female headers (also known as box headers). They can also be stacked to elevate them on the circuit board for taller components.
Plating is an important factor when designing board-to-board connectors, as it affects the electrical performance and durability of the connector. Some of the most common plating materials are gold, silver, and nickel. Stainless steel and copper are also available for higher-temperature applications. Another consideration is the number of mating cycles that the connector can withstand.
Other factors that influence the design of a board to board connector include its size and housing material, pin pitch, stacking height, and termination method. Some of them are designed for harsh environments and require corrosion-resistant materials or seals. Others are made with special features that address the specific manufacturing or operating conditions of a circuit board, such as hermetic or chemical-resistant connections.
Material
There are a variety of different connector types for PCBs. The choice of a specific type depends on factors such as size, power, application environment and mounting requirements. Some of the most common types include pin headers (male), sockets (female) and box header connectors. These are available in Board-to-Board Connector Supplier various designs, stack heights and pin positions. Some are shielded and others are unshielded. There are also various pitches from 0.635 mm to 2.54 mm, as well as mezzanine and coplanar connections.
Floating board-to-board connectors reduce the stress on the system caused by misalignment. A small amount of misalignment can create a large force that can cause structural stress on other components and even solder joints. This stress can lead to a failure of the whole unit. The new JAE floating board-to-board connector uses a stubless two-point contact structure that does not inhibit the flow of current and has excellent high-speed transmission performance.
The Floating Connector is used in a variety of industrial applications including PLCs, CNCs, industrial PCs and sensor units. It is easy to mount and provides excellent signal and power transmission. It is designed to maintain a low impedance profile and has a rugged terminal design that can be mated to either right-angle or straight boards. It is also a highly flexible interconnect, allowing it to adapt to changes in position and environment.
