1. Overview

Rectangular board spacers and stackers are interconnect solutions designed to establish mechanical and electrical connections between two or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). These connectors maintain precise spacing while enabling signal/power transmission. Their importance in modern electronics includes enabling compact designs, modular system architectures, and reliable high-speed data transfer in applications ranging from consumer devices to industrial equipment.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

3. Structure and Components

Typical construction includes:

• Insulating housing (LCP/PBT with UL94 V-0 rating)
• Phosphor bronze or beryllium copper contacts
• Gold-plated contact areas (0.5-3 m thickness)
• Polarization keying to prevent misalignment
• Integrated locking mechanisms (latches/snap-fits)
• Optional EMI shielding layers

4. Key Technical Specifications

5. Application Fields

• Telecommunications: Server backplanes, 5G NR radios
• Industrial Automation: PLC modules, CNC controller stacks
• Consumer Electronics: Foldable device hinge connectors
• Medical Devices: MRI system detector arrays
• Automotive: ADAS sensor stacking modules

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations:

• Electrical requirements vs. contact density needs
• Stack height tolerance stack-up analysis
• Thermal expansion coefficient matching
• Field serviceability requirements
• Automated optical inspection (AOI) compatibility

Case Study: In automotive camera module design, compliant pin stackers reduced assembly time by 40% while maintaining ISO 16750 vibration compliance.

8. Industry Trends

• Migration to 0.3mm pitch connectors for mobile applications
• Integration of coaxial contacts for RF board-to-board links
• Adoption of additive manufacturing for complex shapes
• Increased adoption of press-fit terminations in harsh environments
• Development of hybrid optical-electrical stacking solutions