Compliant Pins
Compliant pins provide a means of connecting printed circuit boards without the need for solder. This technique is often more convenient and helps reduce production steps. The pins are considered "compliant" because they are designed to flex so as not to damage the PCB through-hole upon insertion. Often an eye-of-the-needle design is used, which is designed to "squish" slightly and maintain contact with the plating of the PCB through-hole.
Our S3 division specializes in manufacturing compliant pins. In addition to the conventional strip method, we have recently pioneered a proprietary method that uses wire instead of strip (patent pending). This method offers many advantages:
- It is easier to produce "eye-of-the-needle" designs
- These pins offer better force distribution across the diameter of a PCB through-hole
- Better contact with the PCB through-hole is achieved because these pins have a true radius
- This technique uses less material, thereby lowering material costs
