Interconnect solutions are often where many professionals first gain exposure to the realities of manufacturing, and they remain one of the most underestimated drivers of product success today.

No matter how advanced the electronics, software, or mechanical design, systems only perform as intended when the connections are right. Connectors, cable assemblies, PCB interfaces, and electromechanical integration quietly determine reliability, manufacturability, and long-term performance across virtually every industry.

From Commodity Parts to Strategic Decisions

Interconnects were once treated as simple components, selected late in the design cycle and sourced primarily on unit cost. That approach no longer holds up.

Across industrial, robotics, medical device, and military & defense markets, interconnect solutions now influence:

• Signal integrity and EMI performance

• Power delivery and thermal constraints

• Mechanical durability in harsh environments

• Assembly efficiency and scalability

• Supply chain continuity and lifecycle support

As systems become more compact, more powerful, and more regulated, interconnect decisions have become system-level choices with real downstream consequences.

Where Problems Typically Appear

Many interconnect issues don’t reveal themselves until production or field deployment:

• Designs that perform in controlled environments but fail under vibration or temperature cycling

• Cable assemblies that slow down production or introduce variability

• Single-source components that quietly become program risks

• Late-stage changes that trigger requalification, delays, or cost overruns

These challenges are rarely caused by poor design, they stem from interconnects being addressed too late or without full system context.

The Value of an Integrated Interconnect Strategy

Leading OEMs are shifting toward a more integrated approach, evaluating interconnect solutions early and in coordination with PCBAs, enclosures, and final assemblies.

This approach delivers:

• Improved field reliability

• Faster transitions from NPI to production

• Fewer surprises during qualification and audits

• Lower total cost across the product lifecycle

Most importantly, it aligns engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing from the outset.

Supporting Scalable Solutions

Interconnect solutions were foundational to how many of us entered the electronics manufacturing world, and they remain foundational to successful programs today.

Hatch supports customers with domestic and overseas scalable interconnect solutions to meet a wide range of technical, regulatory, and volume requirements. From industrial and robotics applications to medical devices and military & defense systems, the focus is on building connections that support performance, reliability, and long-term supply.

Let’s make the right connections together.