Hi, Phil Like any other design change, something like this should be qualified to ensure it is not going to be an issue. I have been using D-subs in SMT designs for military hardware, and have not seen any major issues. The D-subs we use have a bifurcated alignment post that snaps into the board and is soldered by depositing a small amount of paste on the annular ring. This provides mechanical strength so the connector can withstand the mating/demating forces. The ribbon connectors may be more of an issue, as they usually require more force to mate, depending on the number of pins. -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phil Nutting Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 11:05 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] SMT connectors Hi Techies, What choices have you made regarding SMT connectors? We are designing some new SMT boards and could put SMT connectors on to reduce or eliminate a wave or hand solder step. I am looking at D-subminiature connectors and 0.100 on center ribbon connectors. Each are available in SMT. My concern is that the SMT is less durable in a high usage or high vibration/shock environment. Saving a step isn't worth it if it created more long term failures. Thanks in advance. Phil --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------