Flextronics Ap, LLC

Solectron Corporation

Fiextronics Ap, LLC

Robert Lee Barnhouse

Stephen Hoyt Hancock

Martin H Kainec

The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.

Tools for seating connectors on substrates

The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. In the embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (VVEDM) process. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.

The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector tool is a machined structure having a plurality of walls that define intersecting slots that mate with an array of male connector pins and include one or more ribs to reduce damage if the tool is dropped on the floor. The ribbed walls strengthen the connector tool, but do not interfere with the mating array of male connector pins. The connector tool also includes push shoulders to contact the connector apart from the array of male connector pins so as to seat the connector onto the PCB without connector tool and connector damage.

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Wake Forest, NC, United States of America

Robert Lee Barnhouse