ODU Connectors are probably best known in the UK for their miniature military push-pull connectors. Their latest Advanced Military Connector is currently deployed in Afghanistan on several programmes, including the Blackhawk helicopter and the Flavious dis-mounted soldier communications system.
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Notably, since 2002, ODU have supplied more than 100,000 helmet connectors for use on the UK Bowman military communications programme, without a single reported connector failure. |
However, ODU also supply connector solutions to many other markets, such as medical equipment, instrumentation, factory automation & robotics etc.
ODU are a true ‘problem-solving’ connector manufacturer, who work closely with their OEM customers to develop both connectors and packaging, so as to provide cost-effective solutions to the problems of modern-day electronics.
The word ‘partnership’ appears in most management presentations about the supply-chain these days, but if actually put into practice in this scenario, it really can make a difference and provide a measurable return-on-investment.
As suppliers, given the complete picture, we can better understand our role in meeting your technology requirements, both now and in the future.
But, better than that, given the opportunity, we can usually come up with proposals that will add immediate value to both businesses.
The shared objective being more supply-chain responsibility and profit for us, with reduced overall costs and more profit for yourselves – that’s a true partnership.
So how does this work? Let’s look at some examples.
First case – a medical equipment manufacturer needed a connector, in fairly large quantities, that was sealed and had ‘snatch’ capability. Of course, it also needed to be as small and as economical as possible!
They were looking at standard push-pull medical connectors, such as the ODU Medi-Snap, which allows for various insulators and has 2 to14 contacts.
But even this standard push-pull medical connector was seen as too large and too expensive – it quickly became clear that the answer was to develop a customized connector for their application.
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This connector, with 6 contact positions, consists of just one moulded part – incorporating housing, strain relief, bend protection and sealing. Result: Space envelope reduced by 50% and installed cost reduced by 75%. |
Second case – a major test equipment manufacturer was having technical problems in trying to take cost out of a new design, which needed bulk-head connectors to handle mixed-signals.
The solution was for us to provide two sub-assemblies for the equipment, each incorporating a custom insert for a standard push-pull connector.
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Result: Technical problems solved and assembly time minimised, resulting in considerable cost savings. |
This insert has two central coax contacts, with flying leads, to handle high-frequency signals and a further 16 signal contacts mounted onto a small PCB, with a section of flex-foil ending in an SMT connector to the main PCB.
Third case – a packing machine manufacturer needed to improve flexibility and significantly reduce the set-up time.
Their system automatically fills a multitude of medicines into blister-packs, so as to provide a one-week supply of medication to each patient.
The packing machine is made up of a series of interchangeable plug-in filling modules – in this way it is possible to change the mix of medicines.
However, their existing set-up of connectors meant that the time taken to change modules was too long.
The answer was to incorporate all connections into a docking version of the ODU MAC modular rectangular connectors – each equipped with shielded lead-throughs, in addition to pneumatic and signal connections.
ODU supply the complete system as a sub-assembly.
However, ideas such as these can only come about if we sit down as equal partners. Suppliers such as ourselves are experts in what we do, as such, we are a resource that should be more fully utilised in these lean times – so, get in touch.
ODU-UK Ltd
The Technology Centre
Epinal Way
Loughborough, Leics.
LE11 3GE tel: (01509) 266433
