Press-fit technology

Press-fit connectors Press-fit connectors for rugged and dirty environments

Up to 10 times more reliable than SMT solder joints

Up to 10 times more reliable than SMT solder joints

Press-fit connectors and contacts

Robust, fail-safe, fast Product finder Customized connectors How it works To note Advantages Offer for the automotive industry Application examples

Press-fit connectors and contacts

Robust, fail-safe, fast Product finder Customized connectors How it works To note Advantages Offer for the automotive industry Application examples

Our press-fit connectors: robust and fail-safe

In press-fit technology for plug-in connections, a press-fit pin with a larger diagonal than the hole diameter is pressed into a plated-through hole in the PCB. In the press-fit zone, the connector pin is flexible so that the PCB is not deformed by physical forces during the press-fit process. The result is a cold weld between the contact pin and the metallized PCB hole, which is particularly robust and fail-safe even in adverse environments.

You can save costs with our customizable catalog connectors. We also offer completely new, individual solutions for special applications, tailored to your requirements.

Product finder: Our press-fit connectors

product list ( connectors)

Customized solutions

Press-fit zone TCOM PRESS®

Our press-fit technology with Tcom press® meets the high requirements of the automotive industry. The focus of PCB contacting is on press-fit technology, with the Tcom press® press-fit zone developed and successfully used by us. We now produce over 5 billion press-fit contacts per year for the automotive industry.

TCOM PRESS® is characterized by:

Reliability (up to 10 times more reliable than an SMT solder joint)
Large selection of surfaces
Competence in the field of low whiskers
OEM and Tier 1 approvals
Material compatibility: Compatibility with automotive regulations (e.g. IMDS, RoHS)

Using press-fit technology, we create a highly robust and dirt-proof PCB connector that can withstand vibration, shock, gas, moisture, wetness and dust. Robust press-fit connectors for PCBs have a failure rate (FIT rate) ten times better than automated soldered connectors for PCBs. They are used, for example, in airbag systems, ABS and ESP modules, as signal transmission in these applications must not fail under any circumstances.

Press-fit technology generates maximum holding forces between the connector and the PCB with low press-fit force. During the press-fit process, a press-fit pin with a larger diagonal than the hole diameter is pressed into a plated-through hole in the PCB. In the press-fit zone, the connector pin is flexible so that the PCB is not deformed by physical forces during the press-fit process. The result is a cold weld between the contact pin and the metallized PCB hole: a gas-tight, corrosion-resistant, low-resistance and electrically conductive mechanical connection that is also suitable for potting. It is also specified in DIN EN 60352-5 and remains contact-safe even under very high mechanical and thermal loads, such as vibration, bending, moisture, dust and changes in temperature, and even withstands acceleration loads of up to 200 G due to shock. G-forces define loads that act on the human body, an object or a vehicle due to changes in the magnitude and/or direction of velocity. For comparison: After re-entering the earth's atmosphere, a space capsule is subjected to a G-force of around 7 G.

Motive Web Kurzbeschreibung Kontakt 1640x1195px

Still have questions?
Then please contact us!

Request by form

+49 8861 2501 0

sales@ept.de

Press-fit technology: How it works

ept einpresstechnik — Press-fit technology

In press-fit technology, an electrical connection between the connector and the PCB is created by pressing a connector pin into a plated-through PCB hole.

The press-fit technique is based on a simple principle:
The press-fit zone of a contact pin has a larger diagonal cross-section than the metallized PCB hole. The deformation that occurs during press-fitting is reduced by the flexible zone on the contact pin. The PCB sleeve is therefore only deformed to a very small extent. During the press-fit process, a cold weld is created between the contact pin and the metallized PCB hole: a gas-tight, corrosion-resistant, low-resistance and electrically conductive mechanical connection. It remains contact-safe and stable even under very high mechanical and thermal loads, such as vibration, bending and strong temperature changes.

We recommend in-process monitoring during the press-fit process: force-displacement and camera monitoring allow the connection point to be assessed.

In addition to the proven press-fit technology with our Tcom press® press-fit zone, ept also offers many other connection technology options. Whether soldered through-hole plating, THR or SMT - we have the right solution for every application.

Press-fit technology: What you need to know

LP mit Leiterbahnen Verarb FREI — Conductor tracks Press-fit technology

Press-fit technology is easy to handle if the specifications are adhered to. Four parameters play a key role here:
The drilling diameter and the diameter of the metallized press-fit hole, the thickness of the copper sleeve in the press-fit hole and the PCB surface.

If both SMD components and press-fit connectors are to be accommodated on a PCB, a certain sequence must be observed:
The components with solder connections must be mounted first. Once all components have been soldered onto the PCB using a suitable process, the press-fit connectors can be mounted. This sequence is important: reversing the process sequence would result in a high thermal load on the press-fit connections. This would lead to subsequent (uncontrolled) soldering of the press-fit zone, which would no longer guarantee an intact gas-tight zone.

In addition, the correct distance to the edge of the PCB and to sensitive electronic components (e.g. ceramic components) as well as the connections of the conductor tracks must be observed. Maintaining the minimum distance prevents the PCB material or electronic components from being damaged by the force of the press-fit zone and the PCB layers from being destroyed.

Press-fit technology: Advantages

The most robust and reliable connection technology
Long-lasting durability
Gas-tight connection
High holding forces
No soldering defects, flux residues or similar
No additional cleaning necessary
Recycling possible by simply pressing out
Efficient and cost-effective assembly process

Press-fit technology: ept's range for the automotive industry

We manufacture several billion contacts per year for various sectors and applications in the automotive industry. Our press-fit zones consist of strip thicknesses of 0.2 to 1.2 mm for hole diameters of 0.56 to 2.0 mm or according to your requirements.

Motive Web Kurzbeschreibung Kontakt 1640x1195px

Still have questions?
Then please contact us!

Request by form

+49 8861 2501 0

sales@ept.de

Press-fit technology: Application examples for press-fit connectors and press-fit contacts

contact surfaces - Delivering strong performance with less gold — Contact surfaces - Delivering strong performance with less gold

25.07.2023Plating coated with gold is still the number one choice in situations where a connector needs to be fully reliable over the long term – even under demanding operating and environmental conditions. However, the performance required in many applications can also be achieved with a coating system that does the job with a lower gold content.

Board-to-Board Connectors - reliability beyond specification — Board-to-board connectors - reliability beyond specification

02.08.2023Industrially manufactured goods are being put to the test more and more. In addition to high quality standards and compliance with technical specifications, the environmental compatibility of all elements of the supply chain is becoming increasingly important. And the connector market is no exception. ept GmbH traditionally coordinates all production and supply processes in such a way that, in addition to the highest level of quality, all conceivable sustainably oriented corporate management criteria come into play.

The Inverter in electromobility applications and connector requirements

25.03.2022Battery management systems and power electronics play a key role in electromobility because they connect different components in electric vehicles. Connectors are what provide the connection function within inverters. These are needed to control and transmit signals, data, and high currents reliably, safely, quickly, and without losses despite demanding operating conditions. To do this, the connectors have to meet a number of requirements in terms of temperature resistance, compactness, and flexibility, as well as performance and robustness.

HPC - The shift in automotive electrical systems

27.06.2023Increased electrical costs due to the electromobility transition, autonomous driving, and infotainment systems with high-definition 4K resolution call for new electrical system architectures in automotive engineering. The traditional decentralized electrical system architecture is reaching its limits due to its complexity and the high-speed properties required for it. ept offers the right board-to-board connectors to meet these challenges.

How Board-to-Board Connectors are Made Robust and Which Influencing Factors Affect the Connector — Factors influencing the robustness of board-to-board connectors

10.08.2022We explain how board-to-board connectors achieve robustness and which factors influence the robustness of a connector. This will arm your board-to-board connector against any stresses.

Connectors Press-fit connectors and contacts

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