enger@GBURG.SCC.COM (06/20/88)
Folks: Many of the writers addressing this topic have complained about bending of the slide lock metal (allowing the connector to become partially or fully dislodged). Still more writers have suggested various revenge scenarios against the inventor of the connector, and the abandonment of the connector's use. Maybe improvements can be made without resorting to the guillotine (or wire cutters). I have noted differnces in the "strength" of the slide locks provided on the cables from various suppliers. While the geometry may make the applied forces great, it may still be possible to spec a sufficiently "strong" slide lock to meet most user's needs. Perhaps the use of higher quality metal will be the only change necessary. Reinforcement of the slide lock through other methods such as ribbing and spot welding may also be usefull. I suppose we could machine high quality slide locks that were strong enough to lift a car (or at least a Sun Workstation). What I'm affraid of however, is that we'll start to see the mating chasis hardware failing. Wider use of right angle connectors, and provisions for EASILY lashing the cable to the equipment chasis should round out the remedy though. Bob Enger
dewey@execu.UUCP (Dewey Henize) (06/20/88)
In article <8806192137.AA28570@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> enger@GBURG.SCC.COM writes: >Folks: > Many of the writers addressing this topic have complained >about bending of the slide lock metal (allowing the connector to become >partially or fully dislodged). Still more writers have suggested various >revenge scenarios against the inventor of the connector, and the abandonment >of the connector's use. Maybe improvements can be made without resorting to >the guillotine (or wire cutters). > > I have noted differnces in the "strength" of the slide locks >provided on the cables from various suppliers. While the geometry may make >the applied forces great, it may still be possible to spec a sufficiently >"strong" slide lock to meet most user's needs. Perhaps the use of higher >quality metal will be the only change necessary. Reinforcement of the slide >lock through other methods such as ribbing and spot welding may also be usefull Perhaps. Heck, perhaps we could make it work with epoxy glue too! :-) At the base of the problem is a different outlook though - this industry had managed to get along with 9 pin, 25 pin, and all kinds of n-pin connectors pretty well - but we got used to using a method of screwing things in THAT WORKED AND WAS EFFECTIVE. The DIX plug isn't. It sucks on a good day, and is flaky the rest of the time. And as a great many of the testimonials here have indicated, the 'fix' is simple - get rid of the poor design, go with one or more variants of tried and true screwlocks. Now if you (any you, not just Bob) can come up with a good reason to go with a more complicated, less effective method, please convince me. Or, of course, go get a job in the Pentagon in procurement - there are likely to be a few slots there real real soon... -- =============================================================================== | execu!dewey Dewey Henize @ Execucom Systems Corp 512/346-3008 | | You don't think my employer APPROVES of these ideas, do you?? Sheesh! | ===============================================================================