WAUREGAN, CT (February 11, 2007) – C&M Corporation, has developed a molding technology that can substantially lower cable/interconnect total costs for manufacturers of critical hand-held devices and mobile equipment. This new technology gives C&M the capability to overmold standard, low cost connectors that previously were unmoldable using typical injection molding techniques. C&M's ability to now overmold low cost connectors with robust materials, such as polyurethane, can provide important product performance characteristic enhancements at a fraction of the cost of using high end, high cost, long lead-time connector systems.

Art LaChapelle, Senior Applications / Development Engineer at C&M explains, "The typical employment of standard connectors and cable designs are inappropriate for demanding applications, because they are permeable to ambient moisture, particulate contamination and microorganisms. They also do not have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand severe trauma or repeated heavy use. Weak elements in the cable and connector designs can cause these application issues and also make them nearly impossible to overmold using typical injection molding methods. Interstices in many low cost connector designs will not allow for sufficient pressures to be obtained in the molding equipment for high-integrity encapsulation.

C&M has developed a molding technique utilizing a polyamide material, which, due to its low pressure processing, can fill larger than normal interstices and prepares the product for encapsulation in such a fashion that standard insert injection molding equipment can be utilized. The polyamide material has a relatively high dielectric strength, which lends itself well to cable for connector transitions.

LaChapelle comments, "The foundation of our design approach is ‘value,’ which often results in the elimination of expensive custom designed connectors and mold tooling. As a result, not only have we been able to dramatically improve cable/ interconnect functionality, but also simultaneously reduce total cost. In one case, we were able to reduce the cost of an interconnect system for our customer from over $48.00 per unit plus the cost of new custom mold tooling, to under $4.00 per unit using in-stock, standard connectors and existing C&M mold tooling.”

C&M connects customers with complete wire and cable/interconnect solutions for such demanding uses as industrial and factory automation, mobile data collection and communications, field ready handheld computing, and a wide range of rugged specialty product applications.

For more information on C&M’s design and manufacturing capabilities contact: Mike Levesque: 860-779-4278, Ralph Watson: 860-779-4842, sales@cmcorporation.com

C&M Corporation,
P.O. Box 348
Wauregan, CT 06837
Toll Free: 1-877-830-6057

C&M Corporation is a vertically integrated manufacturer of custom cable, coil cords and cable assemblies. A worldwide, RoHS compliant manufacturer of advanced power and signal transmission cable solutions within the industrial, medical, military/public safety, datacom/telecom, and multimedia industries.