Hotbar device and methods for assembling electrical contacts to ensure co-planarity

摘要

Devices and methods for assembling co-planar electrical contacts (20) in a connector (100) are provided herein. In one aspect, an exemplary method of assembly comprises depositing solder in a connector plug enclosure (10), positioning electrical contacts on the solder deposits (22), advancing the hotbar (30) toward the enclosure contacting each of the electrical contacts so as to planarizc a top surface of each of the electrical contacts with the enclosure and melting the solder with the heated hotbar to solder the electrical contacts to the enclosure. In one aspect, an exemplary hotbar device includes a magnet (33) for releasably coupling the electrical contacts to the hotbar. In another aspect, the hotbar includes metallic portions for heating the electrical contacts and insulated ceramic portions (35) for contacting the enclosure. In another aspect, an electrically conductive hotbar includes side portions that extend away from the bottom heating surface (31) facilitating more uniform current flow through the hotbar.