Abstract: An electrical connector press for connecting an electrical connector to a printed circuit board. The electrical connector has contacts with compliant attachment zones for insertion into holes of the printed circuit board The press comprises a gripping device for holding a housing of the connector, a force measuring device connected to the gripping device a distance measuring device connected to the gripping device; and a controller connected to the gripping device, the force measuring device and the distance measuring device. The controller controls movement of the gripping device towards the printed circuit board. The controller is connected to a memory having data of geometry of the contacts and the data of a desired insertion depth of the contacts into the holes. The controller can determine a distance which the contacts should be inserted into the holes based upon the data in the memory and force sensed by the force measuring device after the compliant attachment zones contact the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Method for inserting an electrical contact pin with a compliant attachment zone into a hole in a printed circuit board. The method consists ofbefore commencing the insertion cycle, the data relating to the dimensions of the contact pins in relation to the connector housing, the geometry of the compliant attachment zone, the desired insertion depth as well as the diameter of the holes in the circuit board is stipulated in the control means;the insertion movement of the press starts with the insertion of the first (non-compliant) section of the pin, which should not induce any resistance force, but merely provides guidance for the pin; during said insertion movement, the insertion force and insertion depth are continually controlled;at the moment of perception when the insertion force begins to increase significantly, i.e.