Cables/Connecting

Connector-assembly specialist expands MIL-DTL-38999 production capacity

3rd August 2010
ES Admin
0
In response to growing demand from the defence sector, franchised connector-assembly specialist PEI-Genesis has significantly expanded the MIL-DTL-38999 production capability at its 65,000 ft2 European assembly facility in Southampton. The company is QPL listed by the US Department of Defense for assembling the MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II and III military circular connectors manufactured by Amphenol.
Some of the processes involved in assembling these connectors differ from those required for most other connector types, so PEI-Genesis made the decision to build two new assembly lines dedicated to producing fully qualified MIL-DTL-38999 connectors and related products, all of which are offered with PEI’s standard 48-hour assembly service.

“We were able to set up the new assembly lines very rapidly because we had already established a supply-chain partnership with Amphenol,” commented Tony Houghton, operations manager at the Southampton facility. “This involves very close collaboration between the two organisations and provides a framework for open communication between personnel at every level.”

Specifically, PEI-Genesis and Amphenol were able to share each other’s knowledge of MIL-DTL-38999 assembly techniques and tooling, ensuring that the most efficient processes were used from the outset.
As a result, PEI-Genesis invested in several new items of equipment, including two high-resolution inkjet marking machines, two customised mechanical flow ovens for print curing, and two staking machines for the mechanical retention of the MIL-DTL-38999 connector inserts.

“This investment has enabled PEI-Genesis to increase the Southampton facility’s annual MIL-DTL-38999 capacity from around 60,000 connectors to over 200,000,” said Houghton.

All assembly work is carried out under the company’s ISO 9001:2000 quality system, and every connector undergoes MIL-DTL-38999 Group A testing to ensure 100% mateability.

As well as handling Amphenol’s MIL-DTL-38999 connectors, the new assembly lines will also be used for derivative products such as the Amphe-Lite range of composite circular connectors and the Amphe-EX series of ATEX-approved hazardous-area connectors.

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