For design engineers and sourcing professionals, choosing between standard and custom swaged pins is more than a spec sheet decision—it can make or break your project's cost, performance, and delivery timeline. A poor fit can cause design limitations, premature failures, or increased total cost of ownership.

In the world of manufacturing, standard doesn’t always cut it. Bead Electronics has been manufacturing custom contact pins and pin assemblies for over 100 years, creating tailored solutions to address mechanical, electrical, and environmental challenges.

In industries where durability and precision matter, like aerospace, heavy equipment, and industrial automation, connector pin performance can make or break a system. In rugged applications, even minor flaws in contact pin design or material selection can lead to significant reliability issues. That’s why engineers need components that are built for endurance, consistency, and seamless mating. 

It’s no secret we live in a complex global economy. Lately, it has been more uncertain than ever. That’s why sourcing decisions are about so much more than cost: they’re also about risk, responsiveness, and reliability. For industries operating under federal contracts or infrastructure grants, sourcing domestically isn’t just smart—it’s often required. Bead Electronics proudly complies with American Iron & Steel (AIS) and Buy American Act (BAA) provisions, helping our customers meet project and procurement requirements while supporting the U.S. industry. 

How to Dodge Common Failures in Connector Pin Mating

When it comes to electronic assemblies, a single faulty connection can compromise an entire system. Ensuring reliable connectivity between contact pins and standard connectors is critical—especially in high-performance or high-volume applications where even minor errors can lead to costly failures.