PACKAGING CONSIDERATIONS

The least costly product is a circuit board level product that can be housed in an existing enclosure.

Commercial housings of almost any configuration are also available.

If a custom housing is required, several methods can be used to produce one.

Aluminum extrusion tooling is less costly than a die cast metal part tool or an injection molding tool. Piece price is less for the die cast or plastic molded part.

Plastic injection molded parts can be made with an aluminum tool with a significant savings on tooling cost. Aluminum tooling is typically half the cost of a steel tool.

Aluminum tooling can reliably make 20,000 or more parts depending on the plastic material used.

Steel tooling is good for 100,000 pieces or more, depending on plastic material.

TERMINATIONS

For circuit board level products, terminal strips are excellent wiring terminations. Plug-in terminal strips can be provided. Pigtail leads can be soldered to the circuit board and terminated elsewhere.

Thermocouple termination strips do not unplug because the cold junction sensor is embedded inside the strip and soldered to the circuit board.

Plug-in connectors of any type can be supplied.

Connectors should be chosen on overall cost. If the product is installed and left untouched, screw terminals are adequate. If frequent wiring changes are required, some type of faster termination method should be used.

Connector contact material should be considered in relationship to the environment the product is in. Gold plated contacts are basically corrosion proof and are a good choice for most corrosive atmosphere applications.