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Press-fit connectors

Press-fit connectors
The rationale for using press-fit connectors, rather than solder, is four-fold: Back-planes are thick, heavy boards and it is difficult to get the surface hot enough to solder without doing damage Specifications normally require solder to be visible on both sides of a through-hole and, although capillary action pulls solder into the hole, this mechanism is limited to a rise of about 3 mm, which may be insufficient for a thick board Connectors are usually multiple way, and their removal by reflowing all the solder joints is difficult to achieve without damage It is useful to have a bare wire spill for further connections (for example, wire wrap). The original (1960s) press-fit connector was a force-fit type, a crunch connection made by inserting a square pin in a round hole. There were inevitable problems with component tolerancing and board finish, with reliability on temperature cycling and after exposure to (corrosive) atmosphere, and with removal and reinsertion because of distortion of the through-hole. Many attempts have been made to find a practical design which will provide a gas-tight connection, applying continued pressure between pin and board metallisation, and which will survive both the board stress-relieving itself over time and the variable stresses of temperature cycling.
Figure 1: V iews from bot h s ides of a pres s -fit c onnec t or

W eb research
Carry out a web search on press-fit connectors and look for the different design approaches used to try and provide a reliable joint with acceptable insertion force and minimal board damage. Examine the principle of operation for each, and the way in which the pins are distorted on insertion so as to maintain contact pressure throughout life, whilst making it possible to slide the pin in and out of the hole.
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22/01/13

Press-fit connectors

show solution Requirements for success in mounting press-fit connectors are: correct dimensional match between the connector lead and the internal diameter of board hole appropriate in-hole plating, as regards thickness, material characteristics and surface finish sympathetic insertion by the user, with careful alignment, the right tooling, the correct pressure and suitable support for the board. [back to top] Author: Martin Tarr

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