Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) Light Director Fixture

Our default Light Director assembly fixture uses a ZIF fixture subassembly, also referred to as a Light Director ‘head’ or ‘block’. In addition to presenting an even brighter light to the assembler, it provides easier and more rapid connection and disconnection of the connector being assembled achieving even greater productivity.

This type of fixture is available when connector pin-to-pin centers are spaced by 1.5 mm or greater. You will need to send a sample of the build connector if you order this type of fixture.

Examples of ZIF style fixtures are shown in the previous tab labelled "ZIF/LIF".

Original Light Director Fixture

Our original Light Director fixturing uses an actual mating connector. The method requires attachment of the build connector to the mating connector on the fixture whether by screwing or pushing one onto the other.

We recommend this approach when pin-to-pin centers are spaced by less than 1.5 mm. You will need to supply the mating connector and a sample build connector if you order this type of fixture.

Examples of original style fixtures are shown in this tab.

+1 978 266 2655

1 - The cable shown here has a connector on the left side attached to an electrical interface we built for it, and bare pins on the right side. These pins are to be inserted into a build connector mounted on the Light Director™ board you see on the right.

Once the AutoBuild™ Guided Assembly Software (catalog Item 728) is started, the operator touches the red probe to a loose pin, and the target cavity begins flashing in the build connector. The operator then inserts the pin with a special tool, and presses the black button on the tester to advance to confirm insertion.

Note that the pins in the medical cable are so small that they must be handled with a tweezers and inserted while viewing the build connector through a magnifying scope.

2 - This Light Director™ guided assembly application was designed to assemble a cable used in a life-critical marine application. The Light Director board labeled "P1" is initially used for 1st-sided pinning (no connectors attached to the cable yet, and unattached wires with identifying markes only are available to the operator. Once the first connector P1 is wired, it is then disconnected form the Light Director board and moved to the electrical interface for P1, the adapter cable you see emerging in the front and labeled "P1".

Because this is a multi-connector harness, first-sided connections for P2, P3, etc., must be done next, and then 2nd-sided pinning using the probe can commence. This interface greatly reduced the error rate and assembly time when building these cables and quickly paid the customer back in the cost of the equiment and custom interface.

3 - This 896 test point system with four QuickMount housings on tilt stands, is configured for 1st- and 2nd-sided pinning using Light Director guided assembly..

The Light Director assemblies, consisting of both original and ZIF fixture styles (refer to ZIF/LIF tab), are attached to the QuickMount housings.

The flying leads are the electrical fixtures required (in combination with the Light Director fixtures) for 2nd-side pinning.