Automated Assembly

Automated assembly in RF interconnect manufacturing streamlines the production of complex, high-frequency connectors and cable assemblies with consistent accuracy and minimal human intervention. It enhances quality control, throughput and cost-effectiveness, which is vital for industries demanding precision and scale, such as aerospace, automotive and telecommunications.

What Automated Assembly Does in RF Interconnect Manufacturing

Automated systems integrate robots, conveyors, vision systems and precision tooling to perform key assembly steps such as:

Pin Insertion & Center Contact Assembly

• Automatically places center pins or sockets into dielectric inserts
• Ensures proper alignment and depth to maintain consistent impedance

Dielectric & Shell Assembly

• Machines press-fit dielectric insulators into metal shells with high precision
• Maintains internal spacing critical for signal integrity

Crimping & Soldering

• Automated crimp machines attach connectors to RF cables (e.g., SMA, MCX)
• Some systems perform laser or induction soldering for low-loss connections

Overmolding & Back-Shell Integration

• Used for automotive or sealed RF cables (e.g., FAKRA, waterproof assemblies)
• Ensures consistent strain relief and environmental protection

Vision Inspection & Inline Testing

• Automated optical systems inspect assembly alignment, plating quality or foreign object debris
• Inline RF testing (e.g., VSWR, insertion loss) ensures electrical performance before shipping

Examples of Automated Assembly in Use

• FAKRA cable assemblies: robots crimp and test thousands of coax assemblies per day for automotive radar and GPS
• SMA connector manufacturing: pick-and-place robots insert gold-plated contacts into machined bodies with micron-level precision
• RF test cable production: machines align, crimp and overmold semi-rigid or flexible cables for test labs and production environments
• Automated assembly in RF interconnect manufacturing streamlines the production of complex, high-frequency connectors and cable assemblies with consistent accuracy and minimal human intervention. It enhances quality control, throughput and cost-effectiveness, especially crucial for industries demanding precision and scale, such as aerospace, automotive and telecommunications.