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Standard ZIF Circuit Board Retainers

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

Standard ZIF

THREE ZIF CONFIGURATIONS

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

Standard ZIF - General Description

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:

  1. an aluminum housing
  2. 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
  3. 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

 


Standard ZIF - Design Features

  • 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.


 

Standard ZIF - Specifications

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

 

Mechanical Retention Graph

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. 

 

Standard ZIF Ordering Information


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 CD 4-40 MOUNTING HOLES No. of
Mntg. Holes
E F G H J
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

 

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