- September 21, 2023
Sept. 20, 2023 - 3M has announced its 3M Mini Stack Connector Series–miniature, stackable wiremount sockets and multi-pin boardmount headers that can help reduce a technician’s wiring time up to 60% vs. crimp-style connectors. It can also help reduce board footprint by 30% compared to the company’s standard 3M™ Mini-Clamp Connector Series. The Mini Stack Connector Series from 3M is a time- and space-saving solution for connecting sensors and other components in automated manufacturing. It is available in nearly all global markets.
The series includes 3M Mini Stack Connector Wiremount Socket 3S5 Series and 3M Mini Stack Connector Boardmount Header 3S6 Series. The 3M 3M Mini Stack socket 3S5 series works with the 3M Mini Stack Connector Hand Tool, which is required tooling for time-saving termination.
Series features Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC)
The 3M Mini Stack connector series features Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC) termination, an alternative to standard crimp-style termination. In fact, for a standard 3-pin connection, 3M lab evaluations showed an approximate 60% reduction in technician worktime vs. standard crimp-style connectors using the 3M Mini Stack hand tool.
The IDC process makes stable metal-to-metal contact in two places on each wire–there’s no need for wire stripping, or to insert each terminated wire into the socket. The 3M Mini Stack hand tool terminates two to four wires simultaneously–technicians simply place the wires and the 3M Mini Stack socket 3S5 series into the tool and squeeze. IDC termination makes it possible to terminate two to four wires in about 25 seconds.
Contacts are integrated into 3M Mini Stack socket 3S5 series housings, so there’s also no need to place individual wires into contacts. This leaves only a single part to manage and virtually eliminates the need to purchase and/or inventory separate components.
Stackable for easy mating and unmating
Individual 3M Mini Stack socket 3S5 series can be stacked into blocks of up to four, simplifying wiring schematics and helping speed up mating cycles. Blocks and individual 3M Mini Stack socket 3S5 series plug securely into 3M Mini Stack header 3S6 Series, which features center latches that keep the contacts securely connected but allow for easy unmating.
More board space for more components
3M lab evaluations showed 3M Mini Stack header 3S6 series helps reduce board footprint by 30% compared to the 3M Mini-Clamp connector series, a standard solution in sensor wiring. The compact design of 3M Mini Stack header 3S6 series allows for significantly more space for sensors and other components in automated manufacturing equipment designs.
Fixed tabs help prevent lifting while keeping the board secure during soldering. 3M Mini Stack header 3S6 series is available in straight and right-angle types as well as a range of fixture pin configurations.
3M Mini Stack Connector Hand Tool
3M Mini Stack connector series also includes the 3M Mini Stack Connector Hand Tool. This tool is specifically designed for use with 3M Mini Stack connectors, and is required tooling for reliable IDC wire termination and smooth insertion of terminated wires into 3M Mini Stack socket 3S5 series. It features an ergonomic design for more natural handling vs. common crimp-style tools.
The 3M Mini Stack connector series also includes the 3M™ Mini Stack Connector Interface Unit 3ST Series for connecting controllers to electronic components, and the 3M™ Mini Stack Connector Junction Header 3S8 Series for space-saving cable connections.