The eco|mate Circular Connector Program

Economical Connecting

The eco|mate series array of products is specifically designed for industrial applications. Rough conditions pose no problems for the eco|mate connector. The flexible design offers many economic advantages.

The new connector shows the further improvement of the C16-1 Product series. These have been well-known on the market for quite some time, and are frequently used by operators for their wide application/operative range.

In the past, the series was proven to be the best for industrial usage with a wide array of product applications. Circular Connectors have always been classified as efficient fasteners when a secure lock, optimal seal, and practical handling are required.

The demands upon connectors being used for industrial application call for a rugged design, an appropriate protective category (min. IP 65), an integrated cable retention, the ability to process differing cable diameters and wire gauges, as well as the possibility of screening over any residual frequencies. Further needs of the Operator require efficient processing of the cable and receptacle connectors. Therefore, few individual parts and an exceptional termination are needed.

The Amphenol-Tuchel eco|mate product range offers a program that completely fulfils any requirement specifications.

The name eco|mate is derived from the phrase economical mating. Economical refers to the procurement, processing and handling of the individual products of the family. The circular connectors are characterized by plastic construction with screw locking using round threading. Round threading allows for easy handling and is resistant to contamination.; The series; parts and individual components; i.e., housing components, contact inserts and contacts, were developed so that they can be used in many finished units in a variety of different units. This concept makes rational preparation possible for individual parts in high lot sizes.

The appealing design of the eco|mate series offers many advantages regarding handling and processing. Thus, the grasping range of the screw locking parts was arranged ergonomically and to be dirt resistant for a simple connection release, even under the most difficult environmental conditions.
The cable housing is also newly-developed with regards to the design and cable output.; The housing is equipped with a non-sensitive metric Trapezoid thread (in accordance with DIN), which takes large voltages and also facilitates quick and easy assembly.; Furthermore, a new clamping ring was developed, which protects the sealing around the cable housing and which, through a special design, enables higher cable output forces.; For this reason, output forces of the value demanded by DIN 0627, can be achieved.

Finely-joined and flexible fins at the Cable output facilitate a larger cable clamping-range from 6-12.5mm in diameter. In practice, this means that instead of the eight different components currently used to cover this cross-section, only three part numbers will be necessary in the future. As a result, ordering will become easier, as will product administration and stock-keeping for the handler.
Amphenol Tuchel has also optimised the male and female receptacles with the new design. With identical mounting dimensions as the existing C-16-1 series, mounting is possible over the ears of the protective cap of the housing. In this way, the costly production of the protective caps can be dispensed with by means of a power screwdriver.
A construction process is also in preparation for the rear-panel and for the male and female receptacle locking-process. The handler, therefore, has the possibility of assembling the respective connector before the installation. This mounting method is simple and saves time, as this way, only one panel cut-out must be manufactured.

There is currently a high demand for connection technology tools with a range of industrial applications. Amphenol Tuchel has developed a clamp for connecting the ecoImatem which is in preparation for contact numbers 3+PE. This type of connector is much simpler and saves time in comparison to the present screw-connection.
With regards to connections, Amphenol Tuchel will offer screw, clamp and crimp technology in the future. Concerning clamp and crimp connections, a reduction in costs is expected for process technology and, in addition, cable assembly.
An EMC-Version for all designs and contact numbers within the ecoImatem programmes is also under preparation. Continuously shielded interfaces are used frequently to prevent any breakdown of the machines on the production line.

The ecoImate series of connectors will be available from the first quarter of 2005 in the 3+PE and 6+PE forms. They are fully-compatible with products of the existing C16-1 Series and with other products on the market.

The male connectors of the C16-3 series shell size 2 (eco|mateXL) have a wide array of appeal in regards to the design, the number of contacts, and the types of termination. Due to the shell size used in this series, the possibility exists to be able to accommodate a high number of contacts on a single contact insert. The series is available in the contact numbers 5+PE, 12+PE, 14+PE and 19+PE. In addition, this program is designed for an assembly requiring differing cable and wire cross sections. The crimp connection technology used in this series also offers the possibility of safer, time-saving handling.