Non-ferrous connector systems designed for medical and instrumentation applications

ERNI has expanded its miniature 0.8mm MicroStac SMT connector series to include anti-magnetic versions with 12-pin (single row) and 54-pin (dual row) configurations with a 5mm board-to-board stack height and a 1.5mm effective wipe length. The non-ferrous connectors are designed specifically for medical and instrumentation applications such as MRI machines, where ferrous materials can be hazardous and degrade test results. The components are based on a patented hermaphroditic design that combines male and female connector halves into one solution. The unique design reduces logistic, inventory and manufacturing cost, as the connectors mate and un-mate to themselves. "The combination of the extreme miniaturization and its innovative design makes the MicroStac ideal for extremely compact and demanding applications," said Sam Hines, product coordinator at ERNI Electronics. "The MicroStac connector system not only offers exceptional flexibility in a compact design, but also reduces cost. Instead of requiring a male and female connector to create a mated pair, the MicroStac’s hermaphroditic design enables the connectors to mate with themselves. This means only one part number is required for each mated pair, resulting in both reduced inventory cost and a reduction in number of parts in the BOM." In spite of their extremely compact construction, the products achieve a high current-carrying capacity. With an ambient temperature of 20C and current to all contacts, the 12-position connector can transfer a derated 2.2A per contact. The contacts are formed through precision stamping. As a result, the contacts offer an extensive cross-section for low ohmic resistance, while at the same time providing a large radiating surface that yields higher current carrying capabilities than similar competing products. The new connectors also offer a high mating tolerance with allowed misalignment tolerances of longitudinal and transverse axes of ±0.7mm. The allowed angular inclination tolerance is specified with ±4 degrees. Ferrous versions are also available for a wide range of applications ranging from sensor technology, medical instruments and mobile communication to automotive electronics, automation engineering, measurement, test equipment and building automation. Available pin positions are 6, 10, 12, and 14 in single row with dual row available in 50 and 54-positions.