Analysis of Case Data
The CPC series offered by other manufacturers is an all plastic connector that has price competitive components. Typically, the target application is a field-installable connector. A field-installable connector can be assembled to a cable or wire harness by the end user, “in the field.” Connectors of this style, when used to create a cable assembly, require a sizable amount of extra components such as back-shells, grommets, screws, clamps, special assembly tools, etc. The number of required components and tools makes field installation cumbersome, labor intensive and cause for frequent quality issues.
Solution
In order to reduce the cost and labor required, iCONN Systems proposed developing their own version of the CPC product and over-molding the assembly at our manufacturing facility, removing any additional labor required by the customer. The iCONN Systems Engineering team designed a version of the CPC system that uses gold plated screw machined contacts that lends itself to be over-molded to the cable by resisting the heat and pressure associated with the over-molding process. This molded cable design eliminates the need for any of the auxiliary components and the final assembly is complete, including an IP67 level of water ingress protection in the termination area of the connector. Over-molding the connector provides the strain relieve the cable and individual conductors as well. An additional benefit to over-molding is that it eliminates the pinch point commonly associated with mechanical strain reliefs, which can be a key failure point in applications where constant flexing is a concern. Additionally we do not mold the mounting holes in the panel mount receptacle flange, but machine them per order to meet our customer’s specific requirements. This provides reduced inventory, reduced lead-time and allows us to respond to custom requests like it is a standard offering.
Results
The final product is the iCONN Systems iCPC product line, which includes over mold plug connectors, over molded in-line receptacle connectors and panel mount receptacle connectors. Vertically integrated, iCONN designs and manufactures all components in Lombard, Illinois. The iCPC connector system is reverse compatible / inter-mate-able with the current Amp/Tyco CPC systems already in the field. The iCPC product line saves the customer field assembly labor and related warranty costs by providing a superior quality replacement without the need to make changes to their equipment design.
Benefits of the iCPC Connector Series
Gold-plated machined contacts- Resists heat and pressure
- Eliminates need for auxiliary components
- Final assembly is complete for customer
- IP67 level of water ingress protection
- Strain relieved cable 7 conductors
- Eliminates pinch point
- Eliminates field labor
- Increased durability
- Intermateable to AMP / Tyco CPC System
See how iCONN can reduce labor costs for your next project.
