An Edge Connector is the section of a printed circuit board (PCB) that consists of traces leading to the edge of the board intended to plug into a compatible socket. Edge connectors are highly economical because they require only a single discrete female connector, as the male connector is formed out of the edge of the PCB. They are also known for being fairly robust and durable. Edge connectors are primarily used in computers for peripheral card expansion slots, such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), PCI Express, and AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) cards.

In principle, the technology of linear bearings can be compared with that of roller bearings, though the movement of linear bearings differs. Roller bearings use rotary movement, while linear bearings move to convey the force they are transmitting. A linear bearing could be thought of as a roller bearing in which the plane is unwound. Both tracks are parallel to each other and the rolling element is placed in the gap between the tracks. In rolling bearings, the rolling elements are either balls or rollers. In the rolling contacts of a linear bearing, the contact takes place analogously to roller bearings, in that unwanted contacts with the machine parts are also prevented.

Electrical wire connectors are a common and convenient method of splicing two current-carrying electrical wires together. Unlike many other electrical projects, installation of a wire connector is simple enough for a non-professional to do with very few tools. It should be noted that there are many different types of wire connectors. Some crimp on, while others slide or twist on. In this blog, we will discuss the steps in using the most common type of electrical wire connector: the twist-on wire connector.

When using threaded fasteners, the choice of machine screws, rivets, and others is often dependent on many factors and made even more complex by the vast range of fasteners that are available. This blog will look at two fasteners, screws/bolts & rivets, and examine the most ideal situations to use each fastener.

When operating equipment or machinery that contains moving components, bearings are useful parts that are used to facilitate smoother rotation and to mitigate friction. To serve a diverse set of assemblies and applications, a number of bearings and bearing types may be implemented in order to achieve a specific need. With a needle bearing type in particular, a variety of machinery ranging from automotive transmissions to aircraft controls may benefit from the friction reduction and long rollers provided by the machine element. As needle bearings are a common bearing type used in many applications and assemblies, understanding their construction, functionality, and uses can be highly beneficial for anyone operating such machinery.

In the modern world, we rely on a vast number of electronics daily in both our personal and professional lives. While we may understand how to operate the electronic devices that we have grown accustomed to, many may be unaware of the inner workings of common apparatuses. From simple calculators to robust corporate servers, all electronic devices rely on electrical connectors for their performance and powering. Regardless of the internal components present within an electrical system, they may be nothing more than paperweights if they are not supplied with power. Due to the importance of electrical connectors as one of the building blocks of modern electronics, it is beneficial that you understand how they work, as well as the different elements that they are composed of.

Converters and inverters are two types of electrical devices used to convert currents. Converters convert the voltage of an electric device, commonly converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Adversely, inverters convert DC to AC. This blog will explain the types of converters and inverters, their applications, and their advantages and disadvantages.

Coaxial cables and fiber optic cables are both referred to as guided transmitted media. What this means is that there is a transmission medium which acts as a physical path in data communications and which is placed between the transmitter and the receiver (also known as the channel through which data is sent from one place to another. Both fiber optic cables and coaxial cables are considered guided media.

Fasteners are hardware devices that are designed to secure two or more parts together for an assembly. The connection may be permanent or non-permanent, and a plethora of fasteners exist to secure parts of all types across many industries. The bolt in particular is a fastener that is commonly used across many applications, and it provides secure attachments for holding materials together, or to position them.

For the construction of aircraft structures and systems, a plethora of fasteners are implemented, sometimes numbering in the millions for a single unit. Fasteners are devices that are used to affix two or more components together, and they often come in the form of bolts, screws, nuts, cables, wires, clamps, and more. Bolts and screws are very common aircraft fasteners that are used extensively during construction, and they are often confused for one another due to some similar aspects and characteristics. With their importance for aircraft construction, it is very beneficial to understand their differences to better be aware of how they may be correctly used.