The TDA01 ultra-miniature DIP switch is a single-pole addition to C&K Components' TDA Series.
Classified as a "half-pitch" DIP switch – with terminal spacing that's half the width of most DIP switches – the TDA01's small board footprint is one of its unique characteristics, explains Owen Camden, business development manager for C&K Components.
"C&K is the only company on the market to offer a single-pole version of this miniature category of DIP switch," Camden tells New Equipment Digest.
NED: What led C&K Components to develop this particular switch?
OC: The TDA01 is a single-pole addition to our popular TDA Series DIP switch family. We provide a single-pole version for some of our other DIP switches and they have proven to be among the larger-volume versions. We expect similar results with the SP version of our TDA Series, the TDA01.
NED: How is this DIP switch different from similar ones currently being offered?
OC: Our TDA Series is classified as a "half-pitch" DIP switch, with terminal spacing one-half the width of most standard DIP switch products. The TDA Series and TDA01 switch, in particular, have a very small board footprint. C&K is the only company on the market to offer a single-pole version of this miniature category of DIP switch.
NED: Any particular problems that came up during the development process?
OC: As the TDA01 is an extension of our existing TDA Series, we really faced no problems in developing this version. We were able to use the same high-temperature plastic components and the same contact system as have been proven out with the rest of our TDA Series. The development process was therefore relatively straightforward.
NED: What was the length of time from conception to final production?
OC: It was a matter of months from when we first considered developing the TDA01 until we began producing it. With the experience we took from developing the rest of the TDA Series, the design phase was completed in weeks. Component mold fabrication took up the major portion of the development cycle.
NED: Did cost factors affect the final design of this product?
OC: The TDA Series contacts are gold plated. We have long since minimized the amount of gold necessary to meet the rated cycle life of the product. Other than that, the only cost factor that we considered was the tradeoff between high cavity molds to keep our unit cost low versus the initial capital outlay required for higher cavity molds.
NED: Who do you view as the primary users of this switch and how will the benefit?
OC: Because of its very small footprint, the TDA0-1 is ideal for makers of small and handheld devices who need an SMD component for some configuration function for their product.