Archived News 2005-2002

Impulse Developments

The new Impulse facilities are now fully operational, offering improved service to customers. A picture of the new building is shown above.

Impulse have also updated the connector manufacturing process, where only lead-free solders are now used. PDM is the European value-added-reseller for Impulse, based in San Diego, USA and the distributorship continues to be one of PDM's major business areas. Impulse is a world leader in the design and manufacture of underwater electrical connectors and has been supplying the industry since 1978. Like PDM, Impulse is always keen to implement improvements as quickly as possible.

There have been other developments at Impulse too and the range of Impulse connectors available from PDM continues to expand to meet customers' ever-increasing requirements for conventional and bespoke connectivity solutions.

These improvements concern Impulse's micro wet pluggable series which has been developed to now include waterblocked versions for the 2 - 8 contact bulkhead male and female connectors. The glass reinforced epoxy puck with o-ring seal provides a waterblock in the event of damage to the neoprene face thus providing an added level of security for valuable instrumentation.

Like the non-waterblocked versions, they are available with brass, stainless steel, aluminium or titanium bodies as standard; other materials are available upon request. They also have the male locking sleeve thread integrated into the bulkhead body so that the only locking sleeve required is the female version.

Interchangeability with Impulse's standard MCBH connectors has been guaranteed through ensuring that the locking sleeve thread and pins/sockets are all identical.

PDM supplies Impulse connectors as individual items right up to fully in-house wired and moulded cable systems.

For more information about any of PDM's products which include high performance underwater electrical and fibre optic connectors & penetrators, harness assemblies, device encapsulation and elastomeric materials, please call us on +44 (0)1420 85848 or by e-mail at sales@pdmneptec.com

Development of Production Operations

In response to the increasing demand for our specialised engineering products, PDM has recently expanded and reorganised its manufacturing operations.

An area has been cleared and reorganised as a flexible manufacturing unit increasing the production facility by some 100m². This area can be configured to accommodate self-contained cells and used to manufacture major engineering projects without impacting on standard product assembly areas. In recent months this area has been fully utilised in the manufacture of several customer-engineered products.

Since the start of 2004, the production headcount has been increased by 25% to 16 people, which, coupled with a programme of multi-skilling, has enabled PDM to resource an ever-increasing and diverse order book.

Plans are currently being developed to establish another manufacturing capability within the Engineering building, adjacent to the Manufacturing site. This 100m² area will offer additional manufacturing capability should the need arise.

PDM is also working towards gaining various other accreditations in addition to maintaining its ISO 9001 certification. Environmental strategies have been implemented with a view to soon becoming ISO 14001 endorsed. Environmental policies include the recycling of all paper and cardboard, removal of environmentally harmful chemicals from the manufacturing process and acting well in advance of the upcoming legislation in identifying and introducing lead-free solder. The Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) is under review; when this has been completed it will ensure that the company's operating conditions are indeed maintained at the standards necessary.

These recent developments within PDM's production operations demonstrate the company's policy of continuous improvement in response to current and future changes to its business markets.

MHD Connector Series Expanded

The miniature high density [MHD] metal shell underwater electrical connector series has been expanded. Established contact patterns now go up to 78 in the largest shell size of 50mm diameter and 110 contacts are feasible. The picture shows a pair of the new 78 pin Titanium MHD connectors. Contact ratings are available for signal and power with a number of standard layouts to cover many application requirements.

Specifications are compatible with applications operating from the splash-zone to 10,000 psi and where shock, vibration and harsh environment conditions are a feature of the requirement. The MHD series offers exceptional reliability. This series has recently been successfully integrated into a major military project.

Client specified parts are available on realistic time scales.

A major consideration in projects today is price and these connectors offer a highly competitive "cost per contact" solution to the quality-driven client.

Features include:

• Rugged proven construction
• High density contact counts
• High pressure rating [mated and open-face]
• High vibration tolerance
• Excellent keying and mating
• Face and piston seals on bulkhead installation
• Non-magnetic versions on all parts available on request
• Competitive "cost per contact"
• Standard materials: Stainless steel, Titanium and NiAlbro
• Footprint dimensions to client specification if required

Titan Ruggedised Metal Shell Connectors

Following several years of military subsea vehicle engineering projects, PDM have built up a range of proven wet pluggable metal shell connectors; the TITAN series, [MKS and MKA] with up to 37 rugged 16 AWG contacts. These connectors are part of the standard product range stocked by PDM.

As a result of a project overstock, we have available a quantity of anodised aluminium wet pluggable metal shell connectors of this type. The types available are the MKA(W)-719-CCP/UT & MKA(W)-719-FCR and the MKA(W)-937-FCR.

The TITAN series benefits from:

• Metal to metal key for positive alignment
• 316 stainless steel, aluminium & special alloys available
• 10,000 PSI in mated condition
• Bulkhead connectors open face pressure rated to 5,000 PSI
• Contacts gold plated to MIL-G-45204
• Engaging nuts have Acme threads for rugged applications and for quick connection
• Working voltage - 600 VDC

• Light and heavy duty applications
• Hazardous environments
• Power transmission
• Signal telemetry
• ROV applications

Archived News (2002-2000)
Archived News (2000-1998)