Connectors in demand at DSEI

The demands of the modern world are increasing the requirement for devices and products to be smaller and lighter and consequently, the demands placed on the electronics involved have also ramped up, with the need to scale things down whilst still maintaining performance, quality and reliability.

Not only that, but electronics has now become integral in industries where their role, historically, had been more peripheral and in some cases non-existent. For example, if we think of the influx of ‘smart’ devices into our homes, traditional passive white goods such as fridges and washing machines, now have the ability to connect to the internet and talk to other devices in the home. These advancements cannot happen without a significant increase in electronics within the product.

The role of electronics has also experienced an enormous increase in the automotive industry. Modern cars are in essence, computers on wheels and even the most basic of models have around 30 electronic control units onboard. In 1990 around 15% of a vehicle’s total cost could be attributed to electronics. Today that figure is closer to 35% and by 2030 it is estimated to nudge over the 50% mark.

In terms of the role of electronics the aerospace and defence market is certainly no different as Peter Dent explained. “Two key trends in the aerospace and defence market have been the increase in lethality and the increase in survivability. That can basically be translated as more equipment and more technology.”

Aerospace and defence is a market sector like many others, that is under tight cost pressures and has demanding lead times. This has seen a growing trend in modular type equipment in military vehicles which makes it easier for vehicles to be kept in service and maintained. That means, for LEMO, there has been a significant increase in the demand for its high performance connectors in this market where for the past 70 years the company with its headquarters in Switzerland and a major facility in Worthing, UK, has earned a reputation for quality.

Raymond Voillat continued: “The consolidation within the defence industry has increased the need for companies to offer complete solutions rather than products with one function, and even though defence budgets are decreasing, electronics are taking over what spend there is.”

High reliability is of course key to the defence market and to deliver this LEMO’s product offering includes the NiCorAI corrosion resistant M series connectors which offer a smaller alternative to MIL 38999 connectors in the defence space. Fully tested according to AECTP 300 / MIL-STD-810 / MIL-STD-202 standards, the NiCorAI tested aluminium bodied M Series have passed the 500 hour salt spray test and the brass bodied M series have achieved 1,000+ hours.

Also available are the K & L Series of connectors which are watertight with an inner shell and two seals to prevent penetration of liquids into the connector housing. They also incorporate keys for polarisation as well as the LEMO latching mechanism. The L series uses hermaphroditic inserts from the S Series range, whereas the K Series uses the unidirectional inserts from the B Series range.

Applications for LEMO’s connectors within the space, military and aerospace markets include airborne devices such as drones, land vehicles, personal equipment for the soldier of the future, satellites and space vehicles, ships and marine equipment, airplanes and helicopters, and baggage screeners.

Image: Raymond Voillat, Group Sales and Marketing Director, LEMO