I use AMP MTA connectors, But to do lots of them, you want either an air powered tool, or the pistol grip/head combo. The pieces themselves are economical.
I also use AMP flexstrip ribbons to connect a front panel, Available from 2 to 20 contacts in .1 or .05 spacing , but Mouser only lists up to 4 inches, (I only use 1) - that may not be long enough for you. They also seem to be " luxury" priced for the convenience they offer It's cheaper to by 20's and split off the wires you need.
Molex also offers bunches of solutions.
www.mouser.com
Search for AMP MTA and Molex K.K.
JT
----- Original Message -----
From: tomg@...
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 3:01 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] pcb headers and sockets?
If this is too far off-topic, let me know (and, if possible, point me
to a more-appropriate group).
I am re-designing some pcbs, to make the equipment they're in easier
to manufacture, and service or upgrade.
The pcbs currently have quite a few wires that are soldered directly
to them, that go to front-panel controls (and to other pcbs).
The wires to all of the front-panel controls are also soldered
directly to the solder lugs of the controls (switches, pots, etc).
To make manufacturing and service/maintenance/upgrading faster and
easier, I think that ALL of the wire connections to the pcbs should
use removable connectors, such as pin headers on the boards and crimp
sockets on the wires. Also, where desirable and logical, I think
that sets of multiple individual wires should be replaced with ribbon
cables, with appropriate headers and sockets.
To make this possible, I think that I will have to re-design the
front panel controls, to use a pcb behind the front panel, changing
all of the controls from solder-lug types to pcb-mount types. That
way, I can use headers, sockets, ribbon cables, etc, to connect the
existing pcbs to the front panel controls (via headers on the new
front-panel-interface pcb).
Here's where I would like some help:
I am not very familiar with the vast majority of the myriad different
types of wire-to-board (and board-to-board) connector systems that
are available. There seem to be ∗zillions∗ of different ones. And the
catalogs, and even the manufacturers' websites, seem to assume that I
already know how they're assembled and installed, etc. But THAT'S
what I'm trying to find out, so I can decide which ones would be
convenient and cost-effective to put into the design.
So: Does anybody have any "favorite" makes and models of wire-to-
board (or board-to-board) connectors? (They need to be able to handle
at least 1.5 Amps and up to at least 15 V DC. And they need to be
easy and cheap to assemble.) Or any least favorites?
What I was also HOPING to find was someplace that sells ready-made
ribbon-cable types of assemblies, in short lengths (4 to 6 inches),
with versions having 2, 4, and 6 conductors, with connectors already
installed on both ends. I have looked long and hard and can only find
standard computer-type cables that are ready-made (i.e. either way
too many conductors, or way too long).
Anybody?
Regards,
Tom Gootee
http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg
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