MENTOR's electromechanical components
As specialist in precision components, MENTOR offers you a broad range of electromechanical components as surface mounted devices (SMD) or for through-hole technology (THT). Reliable, durable and versatile, they are the result of decades of experience in the development and production of components for a wide range of applications in industrial electronics. The focus of our product development is on functionality, processing efficiency, thermostability and, needless to say, compliance with the relevant standards and regulations.
Extensive Standard Product Range in SMD and THT
The core products of our range of electromechanical components are SMD and THT switches, keys and jacks in a variety of designs. Many of our standard products are available off the shelf – with short delivery times and low minimum order quantities. This component diversity offers design engineers the benefits of consistent printed circuit boards design in either SM or TH technology. This consistency continues in the resultant placement and soldering techniques which make costly mixed placement unnecessary. It goes without saying that, in terms of thermostability, auto-placeability, coplanarity, blister packing, etc., the components comply with the technological requirements of our potential customers as well as with the relevant DIN standards.
Customised solutions
If your requirements are better met by a customised solution, rather than a standard product, MENTOR can offer you a wide range of options. Implementing individual solutions is one of MENTOR’s core competencies. Experienced product developers work together with you to find the best and most economical solution in each case.
Electromechanical components
Switch systems
The MENTOR switch series is based on the same concept as the designs that have been tried and tested millions of times through
their widespread use in industrial electronics. As they have been further developed to meet the special requirements of SM technology, they are now available for the changeover to the placement of SMDs. An important aspect was to use gull wings as the connection type, as it is the most widely used type due to its many advantages such as reproducible grid dimensions, self-centring features, improved shadowing problematic, good visual soldered joint inspection and easy resoldering and unsoldering.
Toggle switches, sliding switches, push-button and turning switches, push buttons
MENTOR’s range of switches comprises many SMD and THT type switches for various areas of use. In addition to push buttons and keys, MENTOR’s EM range also includes toggle, turning and sliding switches.
In part designed for high-speed component placement, the switches can be used in a most diverse range of final applications. The majority of MENTOR’s switches comes in the customary blister or strip packing to allow for a high-speed placement and assembly process. With a service life of up to 20,000 switching cycles, our switches are robust and durable. What is more, they are suitable for almost any final application thanks to the many different actuation forces.
Miniature key switch
Also included in MENTOR’s range of electromechanical components are miniature key switches.
Designed for use in front panels, MENTOR’s key switches prevent any unauthorised switching of systems. These switches allow you, for example, to unblock processes only for those who are authorised to access them. Two fixing pins and the collar in the front panel feed-through compensate for any mechanical stresses that may occur. The easy-to-use key is equipped with a metal chain for safekeeping.
SMD bridge
Test jacks and switch jacks
Some of the test jacks are equipped with lateral tongues and grooves which interlock when stacked together. This ensures the stability of the PCB, enabling it to absorb the necessary insertion and withdrawal forces (DIN 41649 part 2). In addition, one or several plastic pins are used as a mechanical fixed point on the PCB. Test jacks and the test plug are particularly useful whenever a quick and easy analysis is required.
Fuse holders
These fuse holders are automatic interrupters protecting electrical devices against overloads. The fuse holders of some product lines are equipped with a bayonet type cap while other product lines are provided with a screw cap that is tightened with a torque of 0.4 Nm. The caps have a slot for screwdrivers and can also be operated manually. The fuse holders are designed for the use of 5 x 20 mm fuse links.
Potentiometers
Ceramic potentiometers (cermet potentiometers) are also part of Mentor’s electromechanical product range.
The ceramic-based material of the cermet potentiometers allows them to support higher current loads and ensures a long life cycle. MENTOR’s potentiometers are THT components and consequently designed for through-hole mounting on PCBs.