LEMO

LEMO is an electronic and fibre optic connector manufacturer, based in Écublens, Switzerland. It is known for producing the push-pull connectors. LEMO connectors are used in medical, industrial, audio/visual, telecommunications, military, scientific research and measurement applications. The company, founded in 1946, started as a manufacturer of contacts in noble and rare metals. The company took its name from the company founder, engineer Léon Mouttet.

A selection from the LEMO electronic and fibre optic range of connectors

LEMO has set several connector standards. The 3K.93C connector[1] has been adopted by the American (SMPTE 304M), Japanese (ARIB BTAS-1005B) and European (EBU R100-1999) standards organisations for HDTV fibre links for the broadcast market.

LEMO office in North America
LEMO 00 coaxial connectors on RG316 cable, below a BNC to LEMO adapter, a male-to-male adapter barrel and a 50 Ω terminator (topmost).

While LEMO connectors were generally developed as proprietary designs, the legal status of many of the older designs is not clear. For example, the LEMO website itself shows a standardisation date of 1970 for the LEMO 00 model. The "chocolate plate" design of the connector's shell grip is, however, trademarked.[2]

In July 2014, LEMO acquired Northwire Inc., a US specialty cable manufacturer of wire and multi-conductor cable and retractiles for the medical, aerospace and defense, energy, and industrial markets. The acquisition of Northwire allows LEMO to provide a complete cable-connector solution.

LEMO holds 2 addresses in Japan (Tokyo and Osaka), another one in Singapore, two in the USA. LEMO holds offices in Vienna and Budapest.

In 1994, LEMO entered into Chinese market through a distributor. In 2004 LEMO set up a subsidiary company in Shanghai. Besides Shanghai, LEMO China has offices in more than 14 cities, such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Changsha, Chengdu, Wuhan, Taiyuan, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Xi'an, Nanjing and Zhengzhou.

In Écublens, one of 3 offices in Switzerland, R&D is performed in a test laboratory with a climatic chamber.

References
  1. LEMO 3K.93C Catalogue
  2. USPTO registered trademark number 2703464, see LEMO FAQ: Are LEMO connector design trademark registered?
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