Horizontal Cross Sections

Macro-photo cut-away of actual, compliant contact "C" section. At maximum and minimum diameter, plated through-hole contact pressure is distributed evenly along the inside circumference of the plated through-hole. The "C" section ensures a gas tight connection without damaging the hole or warping the board.

State of the Art Compliant Pin Technology

The advantage of the C-Press contact lies in its unique, "C" shaped compliant section. Unlike two and four point press-fit systems, the crescent shaped, tapered beam conforms naturally within the board to the shape of the plated through-hole. It expands or contracts to make contact around the circumference of the plated through-hole, from .037" to .043" in diameter, exerting an equal normal force onto the entire surface of the hole, while forming a gas tight and extremely reliable electrical connection.

True Compliant Fit

Because the compliant section of the C-Press contact neither warps a board nor distorts the hole, it is an excellent choice for use in multilayered and Multiwire^® boards. A major concern with "press-fit" contacts is the amount of axial and radial deformation imparted to the plated though-hole as a result of contact insertion. Because our C-Press contact offers a "True Compliant Fit", the concern for deformation damage to the plated through-holes and inner layers of a printed circuit board is eliminated.

Electronic designers no longer have to subject their expensive printed circuit boards to soldering of forcing a square peg into a round hole. Worries about delamination from soldering or damage by inserting square pegs disappear, and board warpage is significantly reduced.

In and Out of the Board... Without Solder

Now, with the C-Press contact, you can insert a round pin into a round hole. This innovative engineering achievement (Patent #4017143) ensures a spring action pin to absorb potentially destructive energy while providing excellent electrical characteristics. C-Press contacts meet or exceed the performance specifications called for in MIL-STE-2116 and ANSI/IPC-D-422.

C-Press contacts have been approved and are being used in high volume by major manufacturers of computer, medical and telecommunications equipment. Because C-Press contacts are approved and used in 40-year life equipment, they clearly offer both dependability and performance.

The C-Press system provides you with additional benefits such as rear plug-up and the freedom to mount components on both sides of the board without costly masking or hand soldering operations. Further benefits that save you time and money are the ability to remove and replace contacts through the insulator and remove and replace an insulator without disturbing the contacts. C-Press contacts exhibit low insertion forces (40 lbs. maximum per pin) and high retention forces (10 lbs. minimum per pin), even after multiple replacements.

If damaged traces or the need to incorporate revisions in the existing connection system makes it necessary to alter interconnects at the circuit board level, the Winchester Electronics "Isolation Contact" is the answer. This contact can be installed into the existing PTH at the required position and effectively "insulate" the contact from the circuitry at that location. Desired circuit alteration can then be completed by means of wire wrapping from point to point.

Tooling and Engineering Support

Winchester Electronics will work with and support the backpanel supplier of your choice. Many are familiar with our products and tooling. Connector and pin insertion equipment is available to set up an in-house, turn key operation. From a simple arbor press to a micro processor controlled hydraulic press with programmable X and Y axis, Winchester Electronics has the assembly equipment to fit your needs.

As new generations of semiconductor logic impose higher demands on production technology, the C-Press true compliant pin can help promote a smooth transition into the future. C-Press pre-assembled connectors will provide access to solutions which would otherwise be unattainable with the more primitive compliant or solid pin designs.

Design Flexibility

For design flexibility across the board, the C-Press contact gives you everything you need. With a broad line of connectors, solder and press-fit technologies no longer need to be mixed on your backplane, thereby reducing assembly costs and production time. Over the years, billions of C-Press contacts have been successfully installed by communications, computer and medical equipment manufacturers, as well as backpanel suppliers worldwide.

Multiwire^® is a Registered Trademark of Kollmorgen Corp.