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Industrial applications are growing more complex, imposing high requirements on connector systems, according to binder USA, which specializes in circular connectors. In response to this need, particularly in settings such as robots with limited installation space, binder has added angled M5 panel mount connectors to its product range.

The Camarillo, Calif.-based company engineered these connectors for applications needing compact, durable systems. It said they open new opportunities in fields such as automation, robotics, and measurement and control technology. 

In applications such as circuit-board assembly, every millimeter often matters. Increasingly, end users require custom connectors that they can use in the smallest spaces. This was also the case for a provider of complete solutions for the electrical engineering and IT industries.

The angled M5 panel-mount connectors enable crucial mechanical and electrical connections in tight spaces, according to binder. The company said it is targeting markets that require high reliability and robustness, such as industrial camera technology, sensors for automation, analytical devices, collaborative robots, and drones.

binder aims to meet specific customer needs

binder said it developed the M5 angled panel mount connector in response to a request from one of its customers. 

“The company approached us as a connector specialist to see if we could offer one of our smallest connectors for its application,” said Guido Werner, a product manager at binder. “After reviewing the requirements, it quickly became clear that only an angled version would be suitable.”

“We didn’t have this in our portfolio at the time,” he recalled. “This led to a new development, which has attracted interest from other customers. As a result, we will soon be adding the angled M5 panel mount connectors to our standard portfolio.”

The development of this panel mount connector presented unique challenges for the company.

“An angled version of our M5-size panel mount connectors is, in itself, a design challenge,” said Werner. “Additionally, the customer required the component dimensions to be reduced to a maximum of 7.5 x 7.5 mm [0.2 x 0/2 in.] so that as many parts as possible could be placed side by side on the circuit board. This brought us up against geometric limits such as wall thickness and clearance and creepage distances.”

“Material selection also became a factor,” he noted. “New contacts and a new housing were needed for the panel mount connectors.”

“New production tools had to be developed to ensure the angled panel mount connectors could be reliably produced in series,” added Werner. “But the effort was worth it. In the end, we successfully realized a high-quality component.”

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M5 includes features for reliability

The connector also features spread positioning pins that are barely visible to the naked eye. binder said these ensure optimal twist protection on the circuit board even before soldering.

Another feature is the recessed O-ring, which ensures a reliable seal with the housing, said binder. When users connect the panel connectors, the O-ring presses precisely against the housing, ensuring an optimal sealing effect. This eliminates the risk of damaging the seal by over-tightening, the company said.

binder USA LP is a subsidiary of binder Group, a leading global manufacturer of circular connectors, custom cord sets, and LED lights. The company claimed that its products are used worldwide in industrial environments for factory automation, process control, and medical technology applications. 

In addition, binder said its quality management system is ISO 9001 and 14001-certified. It said its “solution-focused approach to customer applications and commitment to superior service” differentiates it from the competition.