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Connectronics’ 2018 Manufacturing Outlook

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While striving to finish 2017 on a strong note, industrial manufacturers already are looking forward to 2018 — and feeling pretty good about it. In a survey conducted by Intellitek Systems, 60 percent of manufacturers expressed optimism about the U.S. economy’s prospects during the next 12 months. Falling by more than 20 percent during the Great Recession, manufacturing output is now above its pre-recession peak. Moderate revenue growth is expected in the United States during 2018.

Among sectors where growth is expected in the next 12 months are aerospace and defense, nuclear, medical, and oil exploration.

Rising geopolitical tensions, terrorism and civil wars have given a boost to defense contractors, which, in turn, benefit the aerospace and defense industry. Gains are anticipated for aerospace manufacturers, specifically, thanks to a growing international market for weapons — developing nations expanding their defense spending — and the rise of new warfare technologies. The defense industry stands to gain from a sizable increase in the U.S. defense budget under President Donald Trump and rising spending by other major powers.

Nuclear power capacity is increasing steadily, with about 50 reactors under construction in 13 countries. Plant upgrades are significantly boosting capacity, and plant lifetime extension programs are maintaining capacity, particularly in the United States.

Strong growth is projected to continue in the medical industry amid demand for more advanced and personalized treatment; an increased availability of health care; and an aging population.

U.S. oil output is expected to reach a record high in 2018 as oil and gas companies employ better drilling methods and focus on their best wells to operate in a tough price environment.

Connectronics Corp., founded in 1988, is a designer and manufacturer of specialized connectors and interconnection systems for a variety of industries. Our management staff has more than 300 years of combined connector and interconnects experience in fields such as avionics, analytical instruments, aerospace, medical, nuclear, underwater, radar, oil exploration, and stage lighting.

Remember to follow our blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up to date. Contact us today with questions on our products.

2017 Industry Review

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This year has been a continued series of industry connections to advance new technologies both at Connectronics and other related sectors. Some of the top innovations we’ve noted throughout 2017 include: air filters to keep miners safe, JUICE, and Hyperloop.

Internally, our team has taken on a project for large air filters in coal mining. Without top of the line air filters, miners are exposed to contaminated air from dirt and dust particles. Without advances in air filters, coal miners can contract diseases like pneumoconiosis, or miner’s lung/black lung disease, from unfiltered air. Our specialized air filters capture and remove tiny particles to purify the air making underground illnesses a thing of the past. The system carries away particles from the mine resulting in cleaner air within both the workspace and surrounding area. For more information on our underground air filters, read our November 2017 filter updates.

Externally, we’ve been keeping an eye on two major industries that we serve: aerospace and transportation. As we last reported on in August, the ESA has been busy working on a large mission in their Cosmic Vision program. Run by the second largest space contractor, Airbus Defense and Space, “JUICE” is expected to launch come 2022. The mission will help us answer the life-long questions like, are there habitats beyond Earth that can sustain life in our solar system? The team will investigate three large and icy ocean-bearing moons: Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Two concepts will be studied: What conditions are present for the formation of planets? And what conditions are present for life to emerge?

Elon Musk’s Hyperloop will also soon be a reality. The concept was put forth by Elon Musk in 2013. Instead of running on a track, the Hyperloop envisions pressurized capsules moving through reduced-pressure tubes. Electromagnetic capabilities allow the passenger capsule/car to hover above the rails. It is theorized that the passenger car will be able to reach speeds of 750 mph.

These kinds of revolutionary progressions drive the Connectronics’ team and our industry to innovate. We look forward to the new technologies that will come into play in 2018 and will make sure to keep our audience informed as new developments emerge.

To stay in the loop on field advancements like air filters, JUICE, and Hyperloop continue to follow us on our blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. For any questions simply contact us today.

We wish you a very happy holiday season and look forward to being in touch come the new year!

National Manufacturing Day Highlights: Dispelling Industry Myths, Reshoring, the Skills Gap, and STEM EDC.

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The annual celebration of modern manufacturing, National Manufacturing Day, is almost here. Landing on the first Friday in October, NMD is an important industry highlight for community groups and companies, including our team at Connectronics Corp. Thus, we are bringing you the details of the day so that you can make the most of it too.

What is National Manufacturing Day?

Manufacturing Day 2017 is Friday, October 6th. At least 2,100+ events across the nation will occur to commemorate all things manufacturing, with the goal to inspire the upcoming generation of manufacturers. It is on this day, organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), that manufacturers across the country invite community members into industry facilities to educate them about relevant career opportunities, dispel manufacturing industry myths, and spotlight how manufacturers influence communities.

Since it began in 2012, MFG DAY has seen participation rates significantly increase, from the amount of events to the number of visitors. All 50 US states and Puerto Rico regularly participate in National Manufacturing Day, and the resurgence of US manufacturing as of late is a welcome sight.

 

MFG DAY’s Implications

In 2016 alone, over 267,000 students took part in MFG DAY. When these students were later surveyed by Deloitte about their experiences, 67 percent expressed increased motivation in seeking a manufacturing career and 84 percent were more convinced that manufacturing offers intriguing, rewarding careers.

This is good news for reshoring enthusiasts, such as NAM, Connectronics, and many other US manufacturers. We support bringing jobs back home. Other National Manufacturing Day initiatives that we align with include bridging the US skills gap and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Connectronics Corp. commits to continually providing rugged and dependable connectors and interconnects for a range of commercial and industrial uses, from medical and avionics to radar, stage lighting, oil exploration, and nuclear. We position our quality products and services to exceed customer expectations.

Stay up to date on manufacturing developments and Connectronics news by following our blog, as well as connecting on Twitter and LinkedIn. Reach out and contact us today for your next project.

 

 

The Mission That Will Help Us Answer: Is There Life Beyond Earth?

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The European Space Agency (ESA) has been busy working on a large mission in their ESA Cosmic Vision program. The mission, headed by the second largest space contractor, Airbus Defense and Space, is expected to launch in 2022. The project coined ‘JUICE’ is an acronym taken from JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer. JUICE’s goal is an attempt to answer to the life-long question: are there habitats beyond Earth that can sustain life in our solar system?

JUICE will be Europe’s first mission to Jupiter with the intent of exploring potentially habitable worlds that might present themselves near gas giants. The mission to Jupiter will investigate three large and icy ocean-bearing moons: Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Two concepts will be studied:

  1. What conditions are present for the formation of planets?
  2. What conditions are present for life to emerge?

 

After a launch from Ariane 5, JUICE will travel 7.5 years. The Explorer will use gravity to help pull it along saving energy and fuel as it circles Earth, Mars, Venus, and—the final destination—Jupiter. Once in the orbit of Jupiter, JUICE will remain for over 3.5 years and will finish the mission by looping Ganymede. This will make it the first spacecraft to orbit an icy satellite in the outer regions of our Solar System.

A wide range of instruments will record data, including optical sensors, radars, plasma and particle sensors, and more. Powered by a solar generator, the 5.5 ton JUICE will enable the spacecraft to produce enough energy for the mission, even in Jupiter’s reduced solar environment.

Here at Connectronics, we’re excited to see the JUICE mission take off as we work with the aerospace industry and many associated companies. As a custom manufacturer of specialized connectors and interconnection systems, we work with high voltage and high current connectors for industries such as aerospace, analytical (radars), avionics, commercial/industrial, defense, medical, nuclear, and oil exploration.

We invite you to learn more about Connectronics and stay up to date on the various industries we work with. Continue to read our blog, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on LinkedIn for your latest industry updates.

Recertification of Aerospace AS9100

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The International Aerospace Quality Group has recently released a newly revised AS9100 quality management standard that impacts companies like Connectronics, that are tailored to the aviation, space, and defense industries.

Connectronics Corp. has been in business for close to 30 years making custom and specialized connectors and interconnection systems. We consistently work with high voltage and high currents for a wide range of industries such as aerospace, defense, commercial/industrial, medical, nuclear, and oil exploration.

Some of the notable changes to the revised standard include incorporating ISO 9001:2008, expanding to include the defense industry, emphasizing product and process improvement, and defining new terms such as risk, critical items, and special requirements. Industries such as aviation, space, and defense use the AS9100 to establish, create, and maintain quality requirements within their industries in an effort to improve the integrity of their products and their processes.

In addition to improving integrity, the standards established also mean that customers know they can depend on the products they’re buying. Whether they need cable assemblies for entertainment lighting, nuclear applications, or anything in between, Connectronics adherence to industry standards means customers can rely on getting the highest quality products that are manufactured with streamlined processes.

Connectronics has long been using ISO standards and is in conformance with AS9100C, complying with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C Quality Management Systems. The registration covers the Quality Management System for the design and manufacture of specialized custom high voltage and high current cables and connectors.

When it comes to quality in cable assemblies, Connectronics has the right product for any job. Our cable assemblies can be used in a wide range of applications that require high voltage, high current, and high reliability. The products manufactured by Connectronics can also be used in extreme environments such as space, underwater, altitude, sand and dust and  hot or cold.

To learn more about Connectronics, you can read our blog, follow us on Twitter, and connect on LinkedIn. To find out more about how Connectronics can help your project, contact us today.

Connectronics Encourages Safety for Industrial Industries

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June is National Safety Month, and here at Connectronics we take safety seriously. We understand the importance of being safe in all industries we work with, particularly when our specialized connectors and interconnection systems are used in high reliability, high-voltage situations that can put worker safety at risk. We provide our top-quality parts to trades such as aerospace, defense, medical, nuclear, commercial/industrial clients, and more. Here is more about the important annual event on safety.

What Exactly Is National Safety Month?

National Safety Month takes place in June, focusing on raising awareness of safety in the workplace, as well as at home and on the road. By learning how to be safe at work, organizations have the opportunity to influence behaviors to reduce injuries and death.

This special month is sponsored by National Safety Council (NSC). The NSC’s weekly themes for June 2017 are preventing falls, reducing fatigue, prepping for potential active shooter situations, and ergonomics.

Being Safe in the Workplace

Connectronics takes safer approaches within industrial industries to safeguard all involved, whether it is National Safety Month or any other time of the year. Electrical hazards can cause serious injury and even death, as well as damaging property and causing fires.

Thus, we believe in following sound safety procedures and educating others in them to reduce these hazards. From fitting employees with personal protective wear to teaching emergency responses and fire extinguisher training, we practice what we preach.

Unfortunately, electrical hazards cannot be completely eliminated. However, the National Safety Council offers a handy electrical safety resource guide that includes a hazard observation checklist and other valuable points to increase workplace safety while setting up high-voltage or high-current connectors and related jobs.

Championing Electrical Safety

Connectronics is proud to practice safety year round and direct you to NSC resources for a safer workplace and environment. We support the National Safety Council throughout June and commit to making everyone in our organization a leader in safety.

Don’t forget to follow our blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up to date! Contact us to learn more about our safety culture or how our lineup of precise, reliable connectors and interconnection systems can advance your next project.

Workplace Organization Through Japan’s 5S System

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Here at Connectronics, our main focus is customer service. In order to serve our customers at the highest level, we work to continually improve upon everyday methods. When it comes to organizational tools, a Japanese system called 5S has been shown to increase productivity, while keeping things organized, clean, and constantly improving. We are happy to implement some of these proven successful principals into our company processes and procedures. Here’s the breakdown…

Each “S” stands for the following:

1. Seiri – Sorting, Clearing, and Classifying
2. Seiton – Straightening, Simplifying, Setting in Order, and Configuring
3. Seiso – Sweeping, Shining, Scrubbing, Cleaning and Checking
4. Seiketsu – Standardizing, Stabilizing, Conforming
5. Shitsuke – Sustaining, Self-Discipline, Customizing, and Practicing

These five steps help to organize the workplace and working practices, creating a more efficient way of functioning. In English, the 5S can be roughly translated as Clearing, Configuring, Cleaning & Checking, Conformity & Finality, and Customizing & Practicing. According to the Kaizen Institute, the five steps follow this structure:

• Sorting – Distinguishing the difference between what is needed and what isn’t needed in the area
• Straightening – Arranging essential items so they are readily available and easy to use, in addition to identifying where items belong and making sure they get back to where they belong when a task is finished
• Shining – Cleaning the equipment and workplace to ensure it stays in order and is easy to see anything that may be defective
• Standardizing – Repeatedly reviewing the first three standards
• Sustaining – Abiding by the rules to ensure standards and met and improvements are continually happening

Here at Connectronics, we look forward to implementing a fine combination of these practices. We are proud to better serve our customers in all industries we work with, such as avionics, aerospace, analytical instruments, defense, industrial, medical, nuclear, radar, oil exploration, and stage lighting.

For all the latest happening here at Connectronics, don’t forget to follow our blog, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on LinkedIn, or click here to contact us directly.

Protect Connectors & Cable Assemblies with Connectronics’ Corona Line

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“St. Elmo’s Fire is a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created by a coronal discharge from a sharp or pointed object in a strong electric field in the atmosphere (such as those generated by thunderstorms or created by a volcanic eruption).”

What scientists have come to know is that St. Elmo’s Fire is an electrical discharge that occurs because of ionization of gas (most of the time air) surrounding the conductor that is electrically charged, and can occur in high voltage systems. The corona ensues because the trapped air can’t be removed. Because of the ionization, corona discharge has a detrimental effect on equipment. Not only can it degrade equipment to the point of electrical breakdown, but it can also cause electrical interference.

Corona happens most frequently with coaxial types of cables. Because there are many individual strands inside the cable (conductor and shielding), there are many opportunities for air to become trapped and it is almost impossible to remove it. When the cables are mechanically assembled, it is difficult to eliminate the air between the high electrical potential conductor and the shield ground.

Connectronics’ Corona Line was designed to eradicate the corona effect by using over molded configurations to eliminate the air. A shield termination addresses electrical stress from strands captured between the inner and outer ferrule. A semiconductive layer over the center conductor allows the semiconductive layer and center conductor to be very close to the same potential thus nullifying the opportunity for the air to ionize. corona resistant cables need to be used with a compatible termination process in order to create a reliable cable that is corona resistant. One crucial spot where air needs to be eliminated is at the interface between the plug and receptacle. This problem is removed by using a tapered interface to exclude air by allowing the mating halves to expel the air as they mate to one another; in theory creating a homogenous mass of dielectric insulation.

At Connectronics we service and work with industries such as aerospace, the Department of Defense, entertainment, medical, nuclear, underwater, and industrial. We offer high voltage connectors, high current connectors, underwater cables and connectors, specialized connectors, Wiremax high voltage lead wires, and more. To find the right connector and cable assembly for your job, contact Connectronics and talk to one of the professionals that make up our over 300 years of combined experience with connectors and interconnect experience.

Connectronics Looks Forward to an Eventful 2017

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At Connectronics we’re busy gearing up for an expansion in February and March of 2017. To date, we’ve been working with Wiremax in an operational location of 28,000 sq. feet, but the expansion will mean an additional 18,000 sq. feet of space. This extra room will be used for storage, an additional work area, and more flexibility to meet the growing demands of our customers and company.

Part of the expansion of Connectronics is due to the growing needs of the aerospace, high-tech, and military industries. Producing our rubber insulators and molded components means customers are able to get the high powered capabilities they need from our newest molding machine.

At Connectronics, we thrive on innovation and providing our customers with answers to all their connection issues. Whether it’s for the aerospace, defense, medical, or entertainment industries, we strive to provide the necessary components in a timely manner. We are also looking forward to the latest in hyperloop rail systems.

Back in 2013, Elon Musk devised a hyperloop system that is able to transport people faster than any other land based transportation. It works by using a vacuum tube and capsules that carry each person. The pod is propelled through the tube by using electromagnets, which help suspend the container above the rails. In theory, the capsule could be propelled up to 750 mph. Once this speed is reached, it could glide for up to 100 miles. One benefit of this type of transportation would be the minimal energy it takes, with only five percent of the line using electricity.

Connectronics has also recently been involved in projects in Brazil which use industrial filters and with filtering air for coal miners workers using electrostatic filters. This coming year we look forward to continuing to serve our client base and keeping up to date on new developments that are happening. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog where we’ll take a look at the filtering projects more in depth.

In the meantime, don’t forget to follow our blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages throughout the year!

From the team at Connectronics, we wish you a happy and healthy new year!

 

Connecting Talent to Need: Connectronics Supports National Manufacturing Day

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We have all heard the statistics. nmd-logo-oct-2016

The US manufacturing sector has contributed close to $2.17 trillion to the economy in 2015.

The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte have jointly estimated that about 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will open up over the next 10 years.

With the recent spate of reshoring activities and better trade relations with the developing world, seems like production is back at the forefront of the US GDP!

There is one serious issue though that has the entire country scrambling to find counter measures. It is known as the “Skill Gap.”

Out of the fabled 3.5 million vacancies, about 2 million will go unfilled because of a lack of suitable candidates.

The world wants US products. But the nation’s hands are tied. Unless it can get graduates and school students to change their perception of manufacturing and take an active interest in the industry, there is no way to capitalize on the influx of opportunities that have already started coming its way.

The National Manufacturing Day is An Effective Step in the Right Direction:

Within a few short years, the National Manufacturing Day has caught on in terms of popularity. Celebrated every year on the first Friday of October, it is a ritualistic mingling and connection of demand (manufacturing companies) and talent (school and college students) in an authentic setting.

Businesses invite potential employees into the very heart of their manufacturing operations and give them a glimpse of what it is like to be working with cutting edge technologies like robotics to create everything from weapons to medical equipment. Students who will be helming the ship of production in the coming few decades get to realize the benefits of a career in manufacturing like better pay, more health and welfare perks and direct involvement in strengthening the infrastructure of the country.

They walk away from the experience enriched and informed. Experts are hopeful that the National Manufacturing Day held this October the 7th will take forward this understanding and clarity resulting in a spontaneous bridging of the Skill Gap.

Connectronics Has Been a Mainstay of Manufacturing:

A recognized custom producer of specialized connectors and interconnection systems that supply:

Connectronics Corp. understands the importance of manufacturing like no other and wholeheartedly supports the endeavor of the National Manufacturing Day.

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