cables & the like

Archiver

In a message dated 8/4/2003 7:59:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
manwithapipe@y... writes:

> I am in need of advice for those of you out there w/ experience making
> cables for use with your stamp applications.
>
> I am a big fan of ribbon cables, but soldering the headers can be
> frustrating sometimes. I also most often am using single row headers
> &connectors, because of the stamp's setup. So I usually end up
> making custom cables using crimp pins and connectors such as this:
>
> http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=91&
> prrfnbr=2529
>
> and this:
> http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=91&
> prrfnbr=2642
>
> It works ok, but is VERY time consuming. I end up wasting most of my
> time making cables and I know there's gotta be a way to make
> connectors such as this with one swift turn of the wrist. I am aware
> it is much more expensive, but I'm willing to at least hear ideas.
>
> I have gone through endless pages of the Digikey and TycoElectronics
> trying to find tools that are faster &more efficient, but am unsure
> what exactly to get and the processes involved with each tool.
>
> Does anyone have any input or maybe want to contribute their personal
> technique as to how to make reliable and durable cables? Thanks!!

<A
HREF="http://www.hirose.co.uk/Datasheets/hif3e&fb.pdf">http://www.hirose.co.uk/D\
atasheets/hif3e&fb.pdf</A>

<A
HREF="http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/odu/odu103.html">http://www.engineerin\
gtalk.com/news/odu/odu103.html</A>

<A
HREF="http://www.atexelectronics.com/connectors/ribconn.htm">http://www.atexelec\
tronics.com/connectors/ribconn.htm</A>

<A HREF="http://www.leotronics.co.uk/">http://www.leotronics.co.uk/</A>

<A
HREF="http://cablesandconnectors.com/09800-09.HTM">http://cablesandconnectors.co\
m/09800-09.HTM</A>



[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Archiver

Ribbon cables were just MADE for 'IDC'
connectors -- that's 'Insulation Displacement
Connector' (IDC).

These are made for two-row versions of what
you've been doing by hand, as well as DB-9,
DB-25, etc.

A simple lever-press tool, or even a
bench-vise can be used. You slide the ribbon
cable into the connector, put the connector in
the vise, and squish it together. The
connector is made so as it squishes, it also
slices the insulation to make a very reliable
connection to the pins.

I'm not aware of single-row IDC connectors,
but then I never tried to use them that way.
It should be possible...

--- In
basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "[noparse][[/noparse].......................................
..]" <manwithapipe@y...> wrote:
> I am in need of advice for those of you out there w/ experience
making
> cables for use with your stamp applications.
>
> I am a big fan of ribbon cables, but soldering the headers can be
> frustrating sometimes. I also most often am using single row
headers
> & connectors, because of the stamp's setup. So I usually end up
> making custom cables using crimp pins and connectors such as this:
>
> http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?
prmenbr=91&prrfnbr=2529
>
> and this:
> http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?
prmenbr=91&prrfnbr=2642
>
> It works ok, but is VERY time consuming. I end up wasting most of
my
> time making cables and I know there's gotta be a way to make
> connectors such as this with one swift turn of the wrist. I am
aware
> it is much more expensive, but I'm willing to at least hear ideas.
>
> I have gone through endless pages of the Digikey and TycoElectronics
> trying to find tools that are faster & more efficient, but am unsure
> what exactly to get and the processes involved with each tool.
>
> Does anyone have any input or maybe want to contribute their
personal
> technique as to how to make reliable and durable cables? Thanks!!

Archiver

I've seen single row IDC connectors that will work with 0.050" and
0.100" spacing ribbon cable. Not very common, and not as cheap as the
dual row.

Depending on how many pins you need, you can find cables out of VCRs,
computers, etc... that will work. My personal preference for robot
connectors is the Molex KK line, but you do have to hand-crimp each pin.

> Ribbon cables were just MADE for 'IDC'
> connectors -- that's 'Insulation Displacement
> Connector' (IDC).
>
> These are made for two-row versions of what
> you've been doing by hand, as well as DB-9,
> DB-25, etc.
>
> A simple lever-press tool, or even a
> bench-vise can be used. You slide the ribbon
> cable into the connector, put the connector in
> the vise, and squish it together. The
> connector is made so as it squishes, it also
> slices the insulation to make a very reliable
> connection to the pins.
>
> I'm not aware of single-row IDC connectors,
> but then I never tried to use them that way.
> It should be possible...

Archiver

If I remember right, the MTA connectors are on a 0.100" or 0.156"
spacing and use a fairly large footprint for the connector. The tool is
also rather expensive and the cable is hard to come by.

> I was looking at Amp/Tyco's Pistol Grip crimp tool. I think it's
> model 571-580741 shown here http://www.mouser.com/catalog/615/1018.pdf
>
> This does MTA .100 (is there a difference between this and Molex?)
> with the 571-582461 attachment. Am I mistaken?
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Bill Boyer <daweasel@s...> wrote:
> > I've seen single row IDC connectors that will work with 0.050" and
> > 0.100" spacing ribbon cable. Not very common, and not as cheap as the
> > dual row.
> >
> > Depending on how many pins you need, you can find cables out of VCRs,
> > computers, etc... that will work. My personal preference for robot
> > connectors is the Molex KK line, but you do have to hand-crimp each pin.
> >
> > > Ribbon cables were just MADE for 'IDC'
> > > connectors -- that's 'Insulation Displacement
> > > Connector' (IDC).
> > >
> > > These are made for two-row versions of what
> > > you've been doing by hand, as well as DB-9,
> > > DB-25, etc.
> > >
> > > A simple lever-press tool, or even a
> > > bench-vise can be used. You slide the ribbon
> > > cable into the connector, put the connector in
> > > the vise, and squish it together. The
> > > connector is made so as it squishes, it also
> > > slices the insulation to make a very reliable
> > > connection to the pins.
> > >
> > > I'm not aware of single-row IDC connectors,
> > > but then I never tried to use them that way.
> > > It should be possible...
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Archiver

Hi, this is slightly off-topic, but I have used an ATA Harddisk
cable to connect to an OEM-BS2x board directly. The 20 holes match
the board pins exactly. Just be aware that the wires 'alternate'
between the 2 rows. Is there an 'official' connector for the OEM
board?

Best Regards,
George Loo