Weidmüller's SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X PCB pin headers - 92 variations from just four pin headers. - 'Lean Logistics'.

The European Directives RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) are presently being incorporated into national law. Conversion to lead-free soldering processes and devices free from noxious substances is humming along. Manufacturing processes are being honed to perfection. However, due to the variety of components, logistics management is running contrary to this development. Weidmüller's modular designed SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X PCB pin headers are a solution to this problem. The concept comprises two and three-pole modules. These are assembled together to form the respective number of poles to suit application requirements. Thus it is possible to create 92 different variations with just four pin headers. That considerably minimises logistical overheads. In addition, it also assigns to the past storage of the equivalent fixed-pole variants and the corresponding administrative tasks required for the order numbers. The innovative side-by-side mounting system of the SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X means that large pole numbers can be implemented 'in a straight line'. Production orders are quickly and flexibly processed. Weidmüller offers pin headers in the versions: 180° vertical and 90° horizontal to the PCB. With its modular pin headers, Weidmüller is making a cost-efficient 'Lean Logistic' concept possible. The extensive Weidmüller product portfolio for SMT manufacturing already complies with the European Directive. As a consequence, users with SMT-THR production facilities need not fear conversion.

A further innovation to the revolutionary SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X concept: two PCB pitches have been 'united' in one pin header from the offset. This allows the corresponding 5.00 or 5.08-mm pitch socket blocks from Weidmüller's "Omnimate range" to be utilised based on PCB layout specifications.

The surfaces of the soldering pins in Weidmüller's range of pin headers are made of pure tin. Moreover, the pin header housings are made from the highly heat-resistant, halogen-free insulating material LCP GF (Liquid Crystal Polymer with glass-fibre reinforcing). These have been proven to be soldering-heat resistant to 290 °C in an immersion bath test (2 x 30 seconds) in accordance with IEC/EN 61760-1, Class 1. LCP GF is free from halogens and inherently flame resistant (UL94 VO). Consequently, their use in lead-free soldering processes is poses no problems.


The modular pin header concept SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X offers the following compelling advantages for practical applications:

• minimal weight facilitates high assembly speeds
• minimal component length facilitates high rotation and transport speeds resulting in maximum assembly performances,
• minimal component height avoids restrictions on the traversing height above the PCB. This also prevents collisions.

The modular SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X pin headers are equipped with short, 1.5-mm pins. These 'need' very little soldering paste. That is why normal single-layer stencils can be used for 'fine pitch' technology. Furthermore, the short pins allow application of solder paste to both sides of the PCB by means of stencils. As a result, it is possible to assemble components on both sides of the PCB. Short pin lengths also translate into low component height. This being the reason why the height of the tape-on-reel or tray packaging can also be kept very low, which results in: a large number of pin headers per reel. That in turn reduces logistical overheads.

Last, but not least: optimised pin ends for easy recognition by optical recognition systems, and the integrated stand-off, which guarantees a paste-free space without increasing the height of the component are further plus points of the SL-SMarT‚ 5.0X concept.