The new announcement is part of a strategic program to further reduce lead times and respond to growing customer demand for complete interconnection solutions that combine reliable, high-performance connectivity with end-to-end mechanical protection and EMC shielding. Production of back covers will be based on eight new high-speed, 5-axis milling machines integrated into a manufacturing cell controlled by a WorkPartner automation system, enabling 24/7 production.
Metal back-sheaths with integrated shielding provide mechanical and electrical integrity in a variety of demanding environments, while the addition of metal braiding around the cable assembly and bonding that braiding to the back-sheaths provides complete 360° shielding of the entire cable assembly. Harwin supplies a full range of back-sheath and cable assembly technologies for its high-reliability Gecko, Kona, and Datamate families and is seeing a significant increase in demand for these technologies.
“The need for performance, reliability, and mechanical and electrical integrity is driving customers to seek value-added solutions from suppliers that combine connectors, cable assemblies, and robust end-to-end mechanical and electrical protection,” said Ryan Smart, vice president of product at Harwin. “From robotics to aviation and from unmanned vehicles to news broadcasting, this is driving increased demand for our backshell products across a variety of applications—demand we are addressing through increased investment in manufacturing capabilities, including backshell production.”
Harwin supplies a wide range of back covers for cables and circuit boards/panels with a robust aluminum alloy construction and chemical nickel plating. The aluminum provides a strong yet lightweight protective cover with good shielding properties thanks to its high conductivity and excellent strength-to-weight ratio. The nickel plating provides corrosion resistance (which can be a weak point of uncoated aluminum). All metal back covers meet the operating temperatures of the corresponding product family.
