Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Black Box Question

On Tue, 29 Jan 2002 03:38:40 -0000, "mariss92705"
<mariss92705@...> wrote:

>(1) Have a common (DB-25?) step/direction connector for all cards.
>(2) Have a step/direction connector on each plug-able card.
>
>If (2), what kind of connector:
>
>(1) DB-9.
>(2) IDC 10 conductor ribbon cable.

Quick thoughts on connectors.

1) Fewer is better. Connectors cause no end of problems. Even with
our Aerospace budgets on the Space Station power system where we
literally spent millions on connectors, they were a huge issue.
Eliminating connectors where it is possible and practical is a very good
idea.

2) If connectors can be connected wrong, they will be. Period. Only a
matter of when, not if.

3) Good tight connectors that have some protection from dust, dirt,
metal chips, and derbies, are far better than those that don't. My
Anilam has MIL-SPEC grade connectors - Amphanol and equivalent, lots of
turns to screw them together, real good cable seals on the back shells,
real tight and dust proof. When I bought it they were encrusted with
chips, dried coolant, and 18 years of shop residue, but they are working
perfectly. I cleaned the outside of most of them using OilEater in a
small pump spray bottle. When I took them off, the inside looked like
new. Those connectors, and their are a bunch of them, are probably one
of the reasons that machine is still running 18 years of shop time
later.

The only thing 'd have done differently is to use 90 degree connector
back shells oriented so the back shell pointed down where the cable
wants to hang anyway.

The only connector I have a problem with is the 120 VAC PC cord type
power connector on the back of the controller box itself - this box is
up high, back out of harms way, and this connector is on the back of it
- about the cleanest place on the machine. The cord is wired into the
servo controller box and needs to be replaced to get a new end, and the
socket mounted in the controller box needs to be replaced - the prongs
are all corroded. I've been procrastinating because frankly, that old
servo box is working and I don't want to irritate it! Looking at that
120V plug, and seeing its problems, I know the servos and encoders
wouldn't be working if they didn't have the high grade connectors
mentioned above.

Fitch