Reduce manufacturing costs; save space, increase design flexibility and improve quality

Often, relatively simple issues can frustrate good board design and cause manufacturing delays and costs. Traditional methods used to solve cable management, test and EMC problems and battery retention often require secondary, manual processing. EZ BoardWare, a brand of products from Harwin, comprises surface mount parts that improve manufacturing flexibility, reduce manufacturing costs and improve in field maintenance. All EZ BoardWare components can all be surface mounted along with other components, saving space as well as reducing time and costs, and all are available on tape and reel packaging for automated assembly.

If we consider EMC, shielding cans are usually soldered to the board as a secondary operation after the main automated assembly process. However, EZ-Shield Clips can be surface mounted, allowing a shielding can to be simply pushed into place during final assembly. Harwin also offers a complementary range of low profile RFI Shield Cans that are able to deliver attenuation performance up to 24dB depending on frequency and configuration.  Manufactured from 0.2mm thick nickel silver, the cans are held securely in the clips, but facilitate easy removal and replacement which is ideal for adjustment, repair and maintenance. For development and short runs, Harwin offers its EZ-Shield EMC protection screening products in kit form comprising two 80mm x 60mm x 0.3mm thick Nickel Silver sheets that are pre-scribed on a 5mm grid to allowing easy cutting and forming, enabling the user to produce a shield can of the required dimensions, plus the auto-placeable EZ-Shield Can Clips.

Another part of the EZ BoardWare range which also addresses EMC, EZ-RFI Fingers are very versatile – allowing for a sliding or wiping contact and simply facilitating electrical contact between PCB and metal cases, etc – yet save manufacturing costs when compared to using grounding finger strips.

When it comes to cable management, EZ-Cable Clips are much smaller and lower profile than equivalent plastic devices. They are placed directly onto solder pads, thus negating the need to drill retaining holes in the PCB, offering further space and cost savings and improving reliability..

EZ-Jumper Links can enable designers to eliminate through-hole vias and multi-layer construction. Surface mount assembly reduces costs, and quality is improved through using proven, controlled manufacturing processing.

EZ-Coin Cell Holders provide a cost effective solution to the problem of battery mounting. Coin cells are securely held in place, yet they can be quickly and easily removed when they run down.

The range comprises of ultra-low, single piece surface mountable coin cell holders, and a selection of insulated coin cell holders in a choice of horizontal SMT or vertical PC Tail.

Harwin’s EZ-Board Sockets offer a cost-effective alternative to turned CB sockets, and are ideally-suited to less physically demanding applications.

Lastly, EZ-Test Points provides technicians with easy-to-see test points and minimize the risk of PCB damage by incorrect test methods. Again, surface mount assembly cuts costs.

Harwin supports buyers by producing its EZ-Boardware range entirely in house, so lead times are minimal. The company’s products are also available widely through national and international distribution chanels.