Standard ZIF

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Standard ZIF Circuit Board Retainers

| General Description | Design Features | Specifications | Ordering Information |

THREE ZIF CONFIGURATIONS

STANDARD ZIF (coldwall mounted)
　
ZIF III (PCB mounted)
　
MACHINED ZIF (ZIF geometry machined into coldwall)

The ZIF retainer is a totally self-contained, precision assembly that provides a highly effective thermal interface between the circuit board and cold wall. Board lengths between 1-1/2" and 12" can be accommodated.

A ZIF retainer consists of:

an aluminum housing
a rod/cam assembly constructed from an aluminum or stainless steel double flat rod extrusion. The ZIF rod assembly is driven by one of three options: pin, hex-head or screwdriver slot
a beryllium copper spring

ZIF retainers are mounted to any flat metal surface (coldwall). The standard configuration is attached with 4-40hardware. However, the retainer housing can be supplied with tapped holes for M3x.5 metric hardware, or left undrilled with only index pins for vacuum brazing, dip brazing or epoxy bonding.

Engineers who specify the ZIF retainer can have confidence that it will perform as described. Complete product specifications are available upon request.

The following CTS laboratory test procedures, report sand results are available upon request:

thermal performance testing
　
shock testing
　
vibration testing
　
torque testing
　
life cycling

QUICK LOCKING ACTION
The locking operation which secures the PCB in the ZIF retainer requires only a 1/4 turn of the rod assembly.
　
UNIFORM HEAT TRANSFER
Uniform clamping pressure eliminates hot spots along the PCB interface producing an even distribution of heat along the entire edge.
　
COMPLETE INTERCHANGEABILITY
ZIF component parts are designed to assure consistent performance and interchangeability of all identical part numbers.
　
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
ZIF characteristics are unaffected by adverse environments typically encountered in military and industrial applications.
　
VISUAL INDICATION
ZIF provides a visual indication that the rods are in the "open" or "closed" position relative tothe position of the drive assembly.
　
MAINTAINABILITY
The unique design and interchangeability of like parts make field repairs quick and simple. Repairs can be accomplished without the use of any special tools. Although ZIF retainers have been testedfor over a thousand lock-unlock cycles, they have been derated and specified for 400 fully loadedcycles. This, in most cases, will exceed the overall system life, virtually eliminating service or maintenance to ZIF assemblies.

ZIF Operation drawing

The ZIF cam detent design gives added assurance that a PCB will remain securely locked in position even under extreme vibration and shock levels. Detent action occurs during the final 15degrees of cam rotation and virtually eliminates any possibility of the cam unlocking under environmental stress.

Rod Displacement Curve

Improving the thermal conductivity of circuit board retainers enhances system performance by increasing the reliability of electronic components and circuit modules.

Extensive testing of ZIF retainers in the CTS Engineering Test Laboratory demonstrates that they have the best thermal performance of any circuit board retainer available.

Thermal Performance of Screw v. Brazed Mounts

Clamping pressure is not only essential to heat transfer, but also a critical requirement for retention of PCBs under severe shock and vibration. ZIF retainers have been subjected to the most extreme test conditions specified inMIL-STD-810C.

Nominal retention force for a circuit board held captive by a pair of ZIF retainers (I/O connector excluded) is shown in the graph at the left.

Technical Assistance for Custom Designs - Our engineering staff has extensive experience in the packaging of ZIF retainers. Modification of standard housings, cams and spring configurations for special design applications is frequently possible. Contact the CTS factory in Burbank, California. We welcome the opportunity of providing you with the assistance needed to solve all of your thermal management problems.

Chart of Part Numbers

Diagrams of Rod Styles

ROD TYPES
Desig.	Fig. No.	Material	Max. Spring Length
ZRA1	1	aluminum	6"
ZRA2	1	steel	10.5"
ZRA3	2	steel	4.5"
ZRA4	3	aluminum	10.5"
ZRA7	4	steel	10.5"
*ZRAS	4	steel	10.5"

ZIF circuit board retainers are available in several standard configurations. When ordering standard ZIF assemblies, kits or individual components, please refer to the ZIF identification number guide shown above. Custom ZIF retainers will be assigned special part number identification.

Board Thickness	K Ref	L Max
0.031 0.787mm	0.094 2.388mm	0.400 10.16mm
0.050 1.27mm	0.075 1.905mm	0.400 10.16mm
0.062 1.575mm	0.063 1.600mm	0.400 10.16mm
0.084 2.134mm	0.063 1.600mm	0.422 10.719mm
0.093 2.362mm	0.079 2.007mm	0.447 11.354mm
0.125 3.175mm	0.082 2.083mm	0.478 12.141

ZIF HOUSING DIMENSIONS
Length Destination	Spring Length	A ±.005	B	C	D	4-40 MOUNTING HOLES					No. of Mntg. Holes
Length Destination	Spring Length	A ±.005	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	J	No. of Mntg. Holes
03	1.5	1.50	0.75	-	0.50	1.25	-	-	-	-	2
04	1.5	2.00	1.00	-	1.00	1.75	-	-	-	-	2
05	1.5	2.50	1.25	-	1.50	2.25	-	-	-	-	2
06	3	3.00	0.75	1.5	2.00	1.50	2.75	-	-	-	3
07	3	3.50	1.00	1.5	2.50	1.75	3.25	-	-	-	3
08	3	4.00	1.25	1.5	3.00	2.00	3.75	-	-	-	3
09	4.5	4.50	0.75	3.0	3.50	2.25	4.25	-	-	-	3
10	4.5	5.00	1.00	3.0	4.00	1.75	3.25	4.75	-	-	4
11	4.5	5.50	1.25	3.0	4.50	2.00	3.50	5.25	-	-	4
12	6	6.00	0.75	4.5	5.00	2.00	4.00	5.75	-	-	4
13	6	6.50	1.00	4.5	5.50	2.25	4.25	6.25	-	-	4
14	6	7.00	1.25	4.5	6.00	2.50	4.50	6.75	-	-	4
15	7.5	7.50	2.25	3.0	6.50	2.00	3.75	5.50	7.25	-	5
16	7.5	8.00	2.50	3.0	7.00	2.00	4.00	6.00	7.25	-	5
17	7.5	8.50	2.75	3.0	7.50	2.25	4.25	6.25	8.25	-	5
18	9	9.00	3.75	1.5	8.00	2.50	4.50	6.50	8.75	-	5
19	9	9.50	4.00	1.5	8.50	2.00	3.75	5.75	7.50	9.25	6
20	9	10.00	4.25	1.5	9.00	2.00	4.00	6.00	8.00	9.75	6
21	10.5	10.50	5.25	-	9.50	2.25	4.25	6.25	8.25	10.25	6