Tekdata takes space-proven wiring technology to the racetrack
High-performance interconnect specialist Tekdata is transferring its expertise in lightweight, miniaturised wiring from space projects to the race track, enabling constructors to save weight, simplify design and improve vehicle dynamics in categories ranging from cup racing to F1.
With the recent hiring of new Business Development Manager Mike Tickner, who has a background in designing and building wiring harnesses for Formula One teams, Tekdata is to position products for the motorsport industry that will enable significantly smaller and lighter connections for electronics such as control modules, safety systems and radio equipment.
“Race teams have relied on basically the same interconnect technologies for many years, but we can greatly reduce the weight and size of wires and connectors to give designers more freedom when routing harnesses around the vehicle and optimising weight distribution,” said Tickner.
Tekdata has created advanced wiring solutions for high-profile space projects such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, and the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory. Connector-less feedthroughs, nano-density connectors, woven interconnects, lightweight EMC shielding and over-moulded conduits are among wiring innovations enabling their instruments to operate perfectly in orbits as far as 1.5 million kilometres from earth. Many of these solutions are far in advance of the current technology available in the motorsport marketplace.
Terry McManus, project manager for Tekdata’s space contracts, explained, “We have produced interconnects that are extremely small and light to meet payload limits, rugged to survive the stresses of a rocket launch, and robust and reliable since “field repair” is not usually an option. Our solutions for the motorsports industry, drawing on our knowledge from projects such as these, will help race car designers and builders to gain advantages over the competition.”
Tekdata will begin proving the performance of its space-derived wiring solutions for motorsport in the 2012 Ginetta GT SuperCup. The company has already teamed up with Beacon Racing Services to run a Ginetta G50 in the remaining 2011 rounds, achieving a promising 5th in class debut at Snetterton on August 6. Driver Michael Doyle, returning to the track after 12 months, is aiming to score podium finishes in forthcoming races before getting to grips with the new improved car for 2012.
The car, with its planned space-derived wiring technology (to be raced from February 2012), will be on display at the Autosport Show 2012 from 12th to 15th January at the NEC, Birmingham.
About Tekdata-Cryoconnect:
Tekdata Cryoconnect, a division of Tekdata Interconnections Ltd, designs and manufactures ESA and NASA approved space-flight qualified electrical wiring harnesses for spacecraft structures, instruments using low-temperature detectors, infra-red array systems, and housekeeping on cryogenic systems of all scales.
In addition to providing design and manufacture to demanding specifications, Cryoconnect offers a comprehensive set of analysis and test capabilities up to full space-flight qualification.
Recent space projects include instruments on board;
- James Webb Space Telescope (MIRI, NIRSpec, NIRCam)
- ESA Herschel Space Observatory (SPIRE)
- ESA Planck Satellite (HFI)
Recent ground based projects include;
- Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX)
- Atacama Large-Millimetre Array (ALMA)
- James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (SCUBA 2 instrument)
- Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST)
- ATLAS
For more information, visit: www.cryoconnect.com
or contact Terry McManus; terry.mcmanus@tekdata-interconnect.com