Re: [amsat-bb] NASA SPEC Connectors

[Bob Bruninga <bruninga@xxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 9 Mar 2001, Cathryn Mataga wrote:

> Maybe we should just start making donations for Amsat to buy a proper 
> crimping tool?   I imagine a kind of a 'weird satellite tool'
> lending library....

Actually, it was a piece of cake.  We visited NRL and the guy crimped em
in a few minutes.  But it took him 7 separate tools to assemble the
connector and pins.  Even if I had them all, I would not have a clue how
to use them (and I'm pretty good at figuring things out)..  Sure, I would
have been able to make something that worked.  But that is far different
than something that will "look like NASA did them".  They have a spec for
everything..

I think the lesson is, plan on having someone who does cable assembly for
a living within a half days drive so that you have a pro available when
you gotta to a NASA spec connector.  Its trivial for someone that does it
every day.  

de WB4APR, Bob


 Just a random thought.  Seems, if NASA wants
> it crimped, it's gotta' be crimped.  
> 
> Gary \"Joe\" Mayfield wrote:
> > 
> > Years ago I got to go to an amphenol class.  A proper calibrated crimp
> > (expensive tool that must be calibrated regularly) actually creates a "cold
> > weld" which is superior both mechanically and electrically.  I do not know
> > if soldering will meet Bob's needs.
> > 
> > 73,
> > Joe
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Mark West" <markw@iSecuritas.com>
> > To: <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
> > Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 4:19 PM
> > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] NASA SPEC Connectors
> > 
> > > From my experience a soldered joint has always been superior
> > > to a crimped joint. Anyone know better?
> > >
> > > - Mark West
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Bob Bruninga
> > > To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org
> > > Sent: 3/5/01 5:14 PM
> > > Subject: [amsat-bb] NASA SPEC Connectors
> > >
> > > I hate to ask this here, but we have a 10 pin NASA flight connector.
> > > SPecs say the pins are to be crimped on to the wires.  But the Crimper
> > > costs hundreds of $$$ and no one has one.  Our question is "why cannot
> > > we
> > > just solder the pins to the wires?  THey are hollow, gold, and the wires
> > > slip inside beautifully.  Would take 5 minutes to solder them...
> > >
> > > I can understand that in "production" a crimper is "reproducible,
> > > measureable, and certifiable"  But for a one time connector it is an
> > > impossible bureaucratic snafu requiring hours of coordination and
> > > search.
> > >
> > > Can anyone that works in the space business tell me why we cannot just
> > > do
> > > a good soldering job on these 10 pins?
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > >
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de WB4APR@amsat.org, Bob

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