Shenzhen Raymo's model RM-FGG-1B-303-CLAD52Z connector has copper alloy collet nut and shell.

Enhanced reliability remains a key objective. A few tier 1 companies are improving capability to meet micro standards.

China makers of connectors and cable assemblies for medical equipment sustain product initiatives to keep up with trends in the line and take advantage of the growing application market. They emphasize high reliability, while some large makers pursue miniaturization further to penetrate the expanding wearable and portable devices segment.

Some major players are directing efforts toward microconnectors. Dongguan WCON can turn out units with 0.7mm height, conforming to the standard requirement in handy blood glucose monitors. Local companies, however, have yet to match the ultralow-profile kinds introduced by Molex, which have 0.23mm. Typical small I/O variants from domestic suppliers are about 1mm.

Still, a few China companies persist and are eyeing MEMS to follow the lead of international makers such as Molex. Interconnects based on this can reach 0.15mm, in addition to exhibiting firm contact and low power dissipation. The high technology involved, however, keeps adoption a distant option at present.

The majority of suppliers concentrate instead on ensuring consistent product performance in a range of uses. They employ a self-locking mechanism for tool-free reliable contact that can withstand vibration and accidental tugs. Shenzhen Sreada has introduced a series of push-pull models with such a feature, which enables an established connection without bulky, and weight- and cost-adding clips and bayonets.

Makers continue to boost the release of IP68-rated units as well. They achieve this by utilizing airtight gaskets. Suppliers such as Shenzhen Raymo Electronics Technology Co. Ltd are also working to extend product life span beyond the minimum requirement of 5,000 mating cycles. The manufacturer’s current selection supports 4,000 to 5,000 times.

Diagnostic, therapeutic and analytical medical equipment remain the key applications targeted by China enterprises. These cover resonance, X-ray and ultrasonic imaging, defibrillators, infusion pumps, heart assist devices, blood/serum analyzers, orthotic/prosthetic systems, other laboratory and even hospital communication equipment.

Local interconnects companies hope to benefit from the boom in portable and wearable medical devices. The global mobile medical equipment market is projected to garner $23 billion in total sales by 2017, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association. In terms of share, the chronic disease management and monitoring field will have 65 percent or up to $15 billion. Diagnosis and therapy services follow with 15 and 10 percent.

Besides the overseas application sector, there is opportunity in China’s broadening industry. The latter is anticipated to reach $55.3 billion in 2015, increasing 23 percent annually, according to Sohu News. The local medical equipment segment will remain on the upswing, especially spurred by demand for wearable and portable devices.

China’s medical equipment connectors and cable assembly categories are expected to hit $867 million in aggregate sales by end-2014, climbing by 15 percent from the previous year, said Qianzhan Research.

Encouraged by these developments, a number of makers are boosting manufacturing capacity by another 5 to 10 percent this year. They expect the trend to persist in the next one or two years. The products remain a minority in local output but their shares will increase. Suppliers are likewise setting higher revenue targets. Dongguan JMTO Industry Co. Ltd anticipates its medical equipment cable assemblies to account for up to 10 percent of total sales in the months ahead.

Another offshoot of this growing market is the number of suppliers of medical equipment interconnects in China. It has now doubled from about 50 in 2013. More than 60 percent of the companies are locally owned and the rest foreign-invested. The latter group includes international players Tyco and Molex, offering midrange and high-end products.

The Pearl River and Yangtze River Delta regions are still the key manufacturing hubs, gathering over 70 percent of the makers mainly in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces.

In west China, a manufacturing base for connectors is being built in Tongliang Industrial Park in Chongqing municipality, occupying an area of 2sqkm. The local government is supporting the project, allocating $32 million for the construction, and manpower recruitment and training. Once completed in 2015, the zone is expected to attract more local and foreign companies and become the largest connectors hub in this part of the country. It is projected to realize up to $4.9 billion in annual production value by 2015.

Typical selection

China’s medical equipment connectors range consists of push-pull, screw, spring, board-to-board and -to-cable, D-sub and back-panel types. The first continues to dominate supply.

Units have a metal or plastic housing and bend relief, and are self-latching. They support 5,000 mating cycles. The number of pins varies from two to 10, 14, 16, 19, 32 and per buyers’ requirement. Plastic kinds come in various colors such as gray, blue, red, green and black.

The options extend to non- and water-resistant versions, with the latter in IP65 to IP68.

The mainstream cable assemblies include ECG/EKG and Sp02 kinds with a 1 to 3m cable and IP65 to IP68 rating. These adopt 16 to 30AWG twisted-pair wires, and gray, white or black jackets. Suppliers accommodate custom cable lengths, colors and types of connectors.

Products generally bear IEC, CCE, CE, CSA, RoHS, UL and VDE approval.

The key materials used in connectors are gold-over-nickel-plated copper alloy for the contacts, polyetherentherketon or PEEK for the insulators, and nickel-plated copper alloy or thermoplastic for the housing. The plastic parts are UL94V-0-rated.

Cable assemblies have bare- or tinned-copper conductors, FEP, ETFE, PFA and Teflon insulators and TPU cables.

Most manufacturing inputs are sourced locally. Plastic may come from foreign providers if specified. Some cable assembly companies outsource connectors from domestic or overseas suppliers.

Material costs have remained generally unchanged in the past year, keeping prices steady. The majority of makers expect the trend to persist until end-2014. Some may increase quotes to offset climbing labor expenses and the appreciating yuan. They will, however, limit the adjustment to less than 5 percent to stay competitive.

Product gallery

Access Electronic Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: FGG Straight Plug
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 5 days
Description: Connector; two to 32 cores; copper alloy pin socket, shell; chrome or nickel plating; push-pull self-locking system; for advanced sensors, precision electronic equipment

Dongguan JMTO Industry Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: 300688
MOQ: 5000 units
Delivery: 20 days
Description: Cable assembly; TPU jacket; custom cable length; REACH, RoHS

Linkworld Industrial Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: LWH-005
Description: Wire harness; DB9 cable; JST terminals; UL 1015 18AWG wire; ABS shell; RoHS, UL; AVL or equivalent material available; OEM/ODM orders accepted

Shenzhen Raymo Electronics Technology Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: RM-FGG-1B-303-CLAD52Z
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 3 days
Description: Connector; straight type; two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19 or 32 contacts; collet nut for fitting a bend relief; chrome-plated copper alloy collet nut, shell; nickel-plated brass latch sleeve, midpieces