Z-Con
Z-Con Connector
Z-Con Assemblies are made with Z-Axis Connector Elements inserted into standard or custom housing shells. They are the equivalent of traditional mechanical connectors and are available in single or multiple slot configurations or arrays. Using Stereo Lithographic Rapid Prototyping Techniques, custom shells for low cost prototypes can be provided in days. Simple molded slot housings can be production tooled for under $3500US.
Standard sizes are available, please contact us directly for availability.
Z-Conn Connector Element Options
Wire Metallurgy
We maintain a stock of the following wire types:
- Z-Alloy
- Gold Plated Copper
- Gold
We are able to build connector elements with almost any wire and will respond to special requests for materials such as Chromel, Alumel, Inconel, etc… We will also work with wire supplied by our customers, as long as the material is continuous. We also work with conductive polymer fibers.
Rubber Core
The standard core material for Z-Axis Connectors is 50 Shore A durometer silicone rubber, with a temperature range of -45o to 125oC [-49o to 257oF]. Other choices are available for higher and lower temperatures, softer or harder durometers, and rubbers other than silicone.
Outline Dimensions and Tolerances
Measurements of outline features in an unrestrained condition are subject to variation. If necessary, use mutually designed and accepted inspection fixtures for verification of finished dimensions.Because we build our own manufacturing equipment, if your application requries a longer, shorter, wider or thinner connector, please do not hesitate to contact us with such a request. It may be a relatively simple matter to go beyond the listed standard dimensions.
The minimum standard dimensions and typical tolerances are:
Length: 0.50 mm +/- 0.250 or 0.020 inches +/- 0.010
Height: 0.50 mm +/- 0.125 or 0.020 inches +/- 0.005
Width: 0.50 mm +/- 0.125 or 0.020 inches +/- 0.005
The maximum standard dimensions and typical tolerances are:
Length: 20 cm +/- 0.250 or 8.00 inches +/- 0.010
Height: 19 cm +/- 0.125 or 7.50 inches +/- 0.005
Width: 19 cm +/- 0.125 or 7.50 inches +/- 0.005
Wire Size and Pitch
The standard, in-stock diameter wire used for Z-Axis connector elements is 0.05 mm (0.002 inch). We are able to build connector elements with almost any size or shape wire (such as ribbon) and will respond to special requests for wire or ribbon as thin as 0.01078 mm (0.0007 inch).
The pitch of wires for most Z-Axis connector elements is 0.10 or 0.125mm (0.004 or 0.005 inch). We are able to offer closer or wider spacing depending on the requirements of the application. We are able to group wires on a repeatable basis and can place wires accurately from a reference edge or other physical feature.