IDC ribbon cable connectors

[Walter Harley]

What's the proper amount of force to use, to assemble an IDC ribbon cable
connector? Specifically, a 3M 3000-series connector, 20 position, using 3M
..050" cable.

I've been hunting for info on 3M's web site but can't find anything about
assembly. I don't do enough of these things to justify spending $500+ for
their assembly press, and even if I did I'd still want to know how much
force to apply...

Thanks for any help!

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:36:40 -0800, the renowned "Walter Harley"
<walterh@cafewalterNOSPAM.com> wrote:

What's the proper amount of force to use, to assemble an IDC ribbon cable
connector? Specifically, a 3M 3000-series connector, 20 position, using 3M
.050" cable.

I've been hunting for info on 3M's web site but can't find anything about
assembly. I don't do enough of these things to justify spending $500+ for
their assembly press, and even if I did I'd still want to know how much
force to apply...

Thanks for any help!

That sounds like an ordinary IDC connector. You just apply force until
it closes up. ;-)

I don't know exactly the force, but a vice/vise or a small arbor press
or a small hydraulic press (overkill) will easily do it. Maybe a
couple hundred pounds. For a small number of pieces, a Record
vise/vice with hard plastic jaws works really well, and you don't have
to fool with making something to spread the force.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Peter Bennett]

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 20:02:46 -0500, Spehro Pefhany
<speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote:

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:36:40 -0800, the renowned "Walter Harley"
walterh@cafewalterNOSPAM.com> wrote:

What's the proper amount of force to use, to assemble an IDC ribbon cable
connector? Specifically, a 3M 3000-series connector, 20 position, using 3M
.050" cable.

I've been hunting for info on 3M's web site but can't find anything about
assembly. I don't do enough of these things to justify spending $500+ for
their assembly press, and even if I did I'd still want to know how much
force to apply...

Thanks for any help!

That sounds like an ordinary IDC connector. You just apply force until
it closes up. ;-)

I don't know exactly the force, but a vice/vise or a small arbor press
or a small hydraulic press (overkill) will easily do it. Maybe a
couple hundred pounds. For a small number of pieces, a Record
vise/vice with hard plastic jaws works really well, and you don't have
to fool with making something to spread the force.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

 

[Peter Bennett]

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:36:40 -0800, "Walter Harley"
<walterh@cafewalterNOSPAM.com> wrote:

What's the proper amount of force to use, to assemble an IDC ribbon cable
connector? Specifically, a 3M 3000-series connector, 20 position, using 3M
.050" cable.

I've been hunting for info on 3M's web site but can't find anything about
assembly. I don't do enough of these things to justify spending $500+ for
their assembly press, and even if I did I'd still want to know how much
force to apply...

Thanks for any help!

We have an "official" press at work - it is just a simple
hand-operated device - no pressure gauges or anything to ensure you
use the "right" pressure, but not too much. Just press until the
connector latches.



--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

 

[Rich Webb]

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:36:40 -0800, "Walter Harley"
<walterh@cafewalterNOSPAM.com> wrote:

What's the proper amount of force to use, to assemble an IDC ribbon cable
connector? Specifically, a 3M 3000-series connector, 20 position, using 3M
.050" cable.

The crimper here:
<http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=73251>

is handy for onsie-twosie crimping. We've got one at work for the
occasional ad hoc cable and I use one at home as well. A small vice
works however a vice is harder to use for a crimp in the middle of a
cable. Lots of other places carry the same gadget for more-or-less the
same price, so shop around.

It's possible to use ordinary slip joint pliers but the jaws won't be
parallel and the teeth make a mess of the plastic. In a pinch (no pun
intended) buffer the jaws of the pliers with some strips of cardboard or
duct tape or similar and work from alternating sides.

At any rate, as Spehro noted it's only necessary to squeeze until it's
crimped. Most IDC connectors have a mechanical stop -- the plastic
shoulders come together -- where the crimp is completed. It should be
noted that it is possible to continue to apply additional force after
the connector has gone together. This typically results in a snapping
sound followed by small pieces of plastic flying in various directions
around the room. Not that *I've* ever done this, of course ... ;-)

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 04:11:32 GMT, the renowned Rich Webb
<bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:

At any rate, as Spehro noted it's only necessary to squeeze until it's
crimped. Most IDC connectors have a mechanical stop -- the plastic
shoulders come together -- where the crimp is completed. It should be
noted that it is possible to continue to apply additional force after
the connector has gone together. This typically results in a snapping
sound followed by small pieces of plastic flying in various directions
around the room. Not that *I've* ever done this, of course ... ;-)

DIP headers are harder than the typical female IDC connectors. You
need something that will push on the body without squashing the pins
and without cracking Inexpensive production sockets are sometimes not
that thing which you need. ;-)


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Spehro Pefhany wrote:

That sounds like an ordinary IDC connector. You just apply force until
it closes up. ;-)

I don't know exactly the force, but a vice/vise or a small arbor press
or a small hydraulic press (overkill) will easily do it. Maybe a
couple hundred pounds. For a small number of pieces, a Record
vise/vice with hard plastic jaws works really well, and you don't have
to fool with making something to spread the force.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

I use a small drill press vise that I bought new for less than $5
(US)

I have an arbor press that will work, but it's easier to see what I'm
doing with the small, smooth jaw vise.

--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Walter Harley]

"Spehro Pefhany" <speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote in message
news:vulbr15903v26ugfj1ek9ivsivp8j581tq@4ax.com...

I don't know exactly the force, but a vice/vise or a small arbor press
or a small hydraulic press (overkill) will easily do it. Maybe a
couple hundred pounds. For a small number of pieces, a Record
vise/vice with hard plastic jaws works really well, and you don't have
to fool with making something to spread the force.

Good. Sounds like I have appropriate tooling on hand

 

[cbm5]

Rich Webb wrote:

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:36:40 -0800, "Walter Harley"
walterh@cafewalterNOSPAM.com> wrote:


What's the proper amount of force to use, to assemble an IDC ribbon cable
connector? Specifically, a 3M 3000-series connector, 20 position, using 3M
.050" cable.


The crimper here:
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=73251

is handy for onsie-twosie crimping. We've got one at work for the
occasional ad hoc cable and I use one at home as well. A small vice
works however a vice is harder to use for a crimp in the middle of a
cable. Lots of other places carry the same gadget for more-or-less the
same price, so shop around.

It's nice that you mention Jameco, because in addition to that crimper
they consistently sell the IDC connectors and ribbon at the best prices
I've been able to find, in low quantities. Lot of the other shops will
rip you off if you're not buying 100+.

 

[Mark Zenier]

In article <su2cr197t964delo6tmtj6f5ml3vbur7k6@4ax.com>,
Spehro Pefhany <speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote:

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 04:11:32 GMT, the renowned Rich Webb
bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:

At any rate, as Spehro noted it's only necessary to squeeze until it's
crimped. Most IDC connectors have a mechanical stop -- the plastic
shoulders come together -- where the crimp is completed. It should be
noted that it is possible to continue to apply additional force after
the connector has gone together. This typically results in a snapping
sound followed by small pieces of plastic flying in various directions
around the room. Not that *I've* ever done this, of course ... ;-)

DIP headers are harder than the typical female IDC connectors. You
need something that will push on the body without squashing the pins
and without cracking Inexpensive production sockets are sometimes not
that thing which you need. ;-)

Several small pieces of perf board.

The force is usually more right at the start when the terminals are
cutting through the insulation. It seems to plateau or decrease when
you get to the point where the copper is getting squished between
the tines of the terminal.

If the OP can switch to header connectors, he'll find them a whole
lot more durable than DIP plugs.

Mark Zenier mzenier@eskimo.com
Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)