Rick
Years past there were reliability tests conducted concerning compliant pin
performance in support of specific programs for Mil Std applications.  It is
doubtful those tests can be reclaimed today.
The testing was not a comparison one to another but a test to determine if
the technology would support performance requirements of a particular
product.  It was assumed that they were not as reliable due in a great part
to the need for performance in demanding environments of the specific
product. This does not mean that they would not perform adequately given a
benign performance envelope.  There were several critical factors with
regard to performance. One was tolerance build up in hole alignment, plating
thickness, hole concentricity, etc. Most of these are PWB characteristics.
By the nature he attachment there is a need for some disturbance of the
metalized elements.  If the dimensions are not closely controlled, there was
a possibility of internal damage to the laminate due to mechanical stresses.
I would assume especially critical with multilayer attachments. Additionally
there is limited opportunity for repair.
I believe that MIL-STD-2166 supplied detail on performance and qualification
of the application.


Mel Parrish
ACI/EMPF
One International Plaza, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19113
[log in to unmask]
www.empf.org
610 362 1200 x238
610 362 1290 Fax



-----Original Message-----
From:   TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mills, Rick (CXO1)
Sent:   Monday, January 17, 2000 7:05 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        [TN] Reliability of Compliant Pin VS Solder Tail Connectors

A customer who is interested in our product has questioned the use of an
edge card connector (90deg conn on edge of 0.060" PWB) because there is no
solder visible in the PTH - just press pin, AKA "compliant pin" or "Action
Pin".  The connector plugs into a 0.150" backplane that also has compliant
pin connectors.  The customer wants to know if the connection of the
compliant pin is as reliable as a non-press pin with solder fillet.  I
contacted the component manufacturer and received a 1978 tech doc that
focused on insertion/retention forces VS PTH dias., but no specific
references comparing press pin to solder tail.  I am looking for less dated
material, that may also include a comparison to solder tail.

Does anyone out there have supporting evidence using an industry standard
like Bellcore (TR-NWT-001217 or 000078), that speaks to the reliability of
connectors using compliant pin technology?

-Rick Mills

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