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Welcome Military and Space Customers
Electronic Connectors, Military Connectors, Medical Connectors, Nano
Connectors, Micro Connectors, Filtered Connectors, Interconnects, QPL, COTS, MOTS, SPACE….Which connector is right for you??
Defense Secretary Perry's famous "Perry Memorandum" directed the Armed
Forces to utilize Commercial, Off the Shelf Technologies (COTS) in their
design efforts wherever possible. The assumption at the time was that many
COT's devices could perform as well as their Qualified Parts List (QPL)
counterparts. The use of COTS was therefore intended to reduce the cost
and lead times of needed components. It was also assumed that the continued
component availability would be better with COTS products.
A related anticipated benefit was that the government could begin to
remove itself from the standard, specification and qualification business.
Hundreds of military standards have been made inactive since the beginning
of this initiative.
Success stories of military products developed more rapidly and at reduced
costs clearly demonstrate the utilization of COT's technology can be
beneficial in certain applications. Increasingly, however, there are
stories appearing of products where COT's products were implemented at the
expense of needed product reliability.
So where do connectors and Cristek fit in this equation?
Where chips and other components are usually contained inside a box
designed and fabricated by one design authority, connectors are often the
interface point between multiple parts of a system or subsystem and
therefore controlled by multiple design authorities. Connectors often
perform a variety of mechanical functions as well as their passive
function of carrying signals with the least possible built up in circuit
resistance. It is therefore, imperative that the electrical and mechanical
characteristics be well defined and controlled by some authority.
Even the most reliable and well designed connector, by its nature,
introduces variability and increased resistance into an electronic
circuit. Connectors are almost always used at a point in the system where
there are both mechanical and environmental stresses at work. Space is
almost always an issue as well. Users continue to try to put more signals,
with more noise into an increasingly small package. Smaller sizes are
typically at odds with greater durability.
Finally, what other components are produced where they are expected to
interface reliably with their competitors' products? Most components are
installed directly into/onto the PCB and left alone. Connectors are
frequently installed at an environmentally and mechanically point in the
system AND are expected to repeatedly interface with connectors
manufactured by multiple suppliers!!
The expense and risk associated with the above circumstances often
outweigh the benefits of purchasing COTS connectors components are often
outweighed by the expense and the risk. In many cases, the QPL was the
best way to define the connectors that customers need to use and to ensure
intermateability and interchangeability from supplier to supplier. Cristek
has arranged its website and catalog to offer various levels of
performance and reliability. Cristek offers almost all of its connectors
as Military Off the Shelf (MOTS) products. These products are designed and
manufactured to the same performance standards of the closest QPL
equivalent. By specifying a Cristek MOTS connector a designer can have the
flexibility and some of the cost reduction associated with COTS products
without sacrificing the reliability and performance expected from military
approved connectors.
WELCOME TO OUR MEDICAL CUSTOMERS
All Medical applications are not the same….What does Cristek offer?
Cristek Interconnects, Inc. specializes in miniaturization and in products
that must operate reliably in hostile environments. The company is an
award winning supplier to the military and aerospace industries for 15
years. Cristek's medical experience dates back to the mid 90's when its
nanominiature connectors were selected for an implantable
pacemaker/defibrillator. In reviewing our catalog you will see many
references to QPL and MOTS connectors. Almost any MOTS connector is
suitable for conventional medical use.
Most instrumentation for the medical arena is continuing to shrink in size
but reliability remains the number one focus. Electromagnetic Interference
and Shielding issues are also of primary consideration. Cristek's circular
connectors are ideal I/O connectors for these demanding applications.
These devices can be easily tailored to meet a wide variety of EMI and
other environmental needs.
Miniaturization means that you will need to be working with smaller and
more flexible wire sizes yet the need for durability cannot be ignored.
Cristek has developed processes and expertise in handling wire gages down
to 48 awg and in fabricating cables. Internal to the device there is often
a need for ultra-miniaturization. Nano and Micro plastic connectors are
low cost, reliable and readily available. Cristek can help you select the
most cost effective yet reliable combination of features for your
application.
Implantable Devices:
Percutaneous & Implantable Connectors & Cabling
Connectors that are sealed into implantable medical devices or that are
actually exposed to body tissues and fluids demand the highest set of
reliability and performance standards. Cristek understands these
requirements and is able to provide products and expertise to support you
from initial concept stage through all stages of clinical trials. Several
products in Cristek's catalog are suitable for use inside of sealed,
implantable medical devices. If you don't see an exact size and
configuration you need, please contact us as we have done a lot of
customized versions which could be applicable for your needs.
Percutaneous connectors and cables are not shown on the website or in the
catalog but Cristek has an ongoing development effort related to the
smallest and most reliable technology available for surgical implantation.
Materials and processes have been selected with biocompatibility as the
primary. Three potential connector systems can be modified to suit your
specific application needs. Please contact our medical applications
specialist at
cristic@cristek.com for further information. We will execute a two way
non-disclosure agreement and then be prepared to make recommendations and
comments on your unique application.
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