Industrial and robotic interconnects: Samtec’s solutions for harsh environment connectivity
resistance stability under corrosive atmospheric conditions. This protocol simulates the effects of industrial pollutants, salt sprays, and other environmental contaminants that can degrade performance over time. For applications requiring ingress protection, AccliMate sealed connectors meet IP67 and IP68 ratings for dust and water protection. These bayonet-sealed circular cable assemblies maintain reliable connectivity in washdown environments and outdoor robotics applications where moisture ingress could quickly cause issues. The sealing systems utilize O-ring designs and environmentally stable materials that resist degradation from UV exposure and chemical cleaning agents.
to function reliably in diverse environmental conditions.
High-speed signal integrity solutions Industrial automation and robotics systems rely on high-bandwidth connectivity for real-time control, sensor fusion, and AI processing. Samtec FireFly optical transceivers
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is another frequent concern in industrial environments as high- power machinery can generate significant interference. Samtec’s solutions offer complete shield continuity using 360-degree cable protection to maintain signal integrity, while metal housing construction provides additional isolation for critical control circuits. The URSA series incorporates braided metal jackets specifically designed for applications where electromagnetic interference can compromise system operation.
meet these requirements by delivering data rates up to 28
AccliMate sealed USB Type-C cable assembly plug. Image source: Samtec
Gbps per lane in a compact 0.63 square inch footprint, achieving 265Gbps per square inch density for space-constrained applications. The system’s interchangeable copper and optical capability allows designers to optimize for cost/performance and maintain consistent connector footprints across designs. Samtec’s Eye Speed cable technology achieves ultra-low skew performance with a max. intra-pair skew of 3.5 picoseconds per meter for standard versions, and 1.75 picoseconds per meter for Hyper Low Skew variants. This precision is essential in applications requiring synchronization between servo motors or sensor arrays, as even slight timing variations can degrade system performance or cause instability. Samtec meets high-density interconnect requirements through its NovaRay micro rugged backplane systems that accommodate up to 128 differential pairs in a single connector while supporting 128 Gbps PAM4 performance. The fully shielded differential pair
design helps to minimize crosstalk and is applicable in blind-mate applications in industrial equipment where precise connector alignment can be challenging. Addressing robotic motion and power requirements Robotic systems have specialized connectivity demands that standard connectors simply do not meet. For example, continuous movements across multiple axes cause repetitive stress patterns that can lead to cable failures within months of deployment. Samtec addresses this challenge with discrete wire cable designs incorporating Teflon fluoropolymer construction and specialized outer jackets engineered for extreme flex endurance. Similarly, managing power delivery in space-constrained robotic designs requires innovative approaches to current density and thermal performance.
Samtec’s mPOWER Ultra Micro power connectors. Image source: Samtec
Conclusion
Samtec’s mPOWER Ultra Micro Power Connectors achieve 18 Ampere current handling within a 2.00 mm pitch configuration. In robotics applications where microsecond timing variations can impact surgical outcomes, (e.g., medical systems) Samtec’s Tiger Eye multi-contact design ensures the consistent resistance characteristics for servo control accuracy, while meeting Extended
thermal management. Samtec’s Flyover allows signals to be routed above standard PCB substrates, which reduces dielectric losses and minimizes layer stack complexity. This methodology is ideal in compact controller designs where PCB space constraints impact manufacturing costs and thermal performance. Heat dissipation can also be challenging as robotic systems are integrating more processing power into smaller dimensions. Samtec’s passive cable solutions are designed to minimize thermal stress on system electronics with heat management features that prevent localized hot spots in high- current applications. Their wide operating temperature range from -40 to +85°C allow these products
Samtec’s industrial and robotics interconnect solutions are a focused engineering approach that resolve several automation system connectivity challenges. Their advanced contact mechanics, environmental validation, and high- bandwidth signal integrity helps to meet the demands of robotic applications. Samtec’s focus on longer operational life, durability, and electrical performance consistency offers a good foundation for developing systems that can operate reliably in the harsh conditions where industrial and robotic equipment function. For more information on Samtech’s industrial interconnect solutions, please visit DigiKey.
Image source: Samtec
Life Product standards for sterilization compatibility.
Engineering system-level integration Beyond individual component selection, industrial connectors can benefit from board-level optimizations and enhanced
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