Omniball® Spring-Loaded Pins and Connectors for Sliding and Rotating Connections
Maximum Connections, in motion.
A gold-plated rolling ball replaces the plunger, so contacts slide, rotate and mate off axis without binding.
- Made in USA
- Tested to 1,000,000 cycles
- Gold plated throughout
- US Patent 11,509,087 B1
- RoHS compliant
How a rolling ball pogo pin keeps contact while parts move
Omniball® spring-loaded pins and connectors keep power and signal flowing between parts that slide or revolve into contact: slip rings, dial switches, server drawers, blind mate docking stations and twist-and-lock connectors. Choose discrete pins for surface mount, through-hole PCB or solder cup wire termination, or connectors in single row, double row and circular layouts.
Many interconnect designs need components to slide, rotate or engage at an angle. A conventional plunger pin under side load can wear, bind or lose electrical consistency. The patented Omniball® contact (US Patent 11,509,087 B1) was built for motion.
- 1Engage from any directionThe gold-plated ball meets the mating surface in lateral, rotational or angular alignment, not only straight on.
- 2Compress and rollThe ball compresses under spring force and rolls, letting the mating surfaces slide parallel to each other.
- 3Hold steady contactSpring force keeps consistent electrical contact through the motion, so power and signal are not interrupted.
- 4Last for the long runRolling instead of dragging prevents the binding, premature wear and structural failure plunger pins can suffer in sliding service.
Proven durability: standard Omniball® contacts have been tested to 1,000,000 compression cycles and rolled over 67 miles (108 km) at half stroke while still meeting their contact resistance and spring force specifications.
Omniball® pins carry contact between two PCBs that slide past each other.
Watch Omniball® spring-loaded technology at work
Mill-Max Omniball® Spring-Loaded Technology (2:16). See how the spherical rolling contact handles misalignment, movement and repeated engagement while holding consistent contact force. Watch on YouTube
Omniball® pins and connectors for PCB and wire
Nine discrete pins in three series share the same rolling ball concept and differ in stroke, force, current, height and termination. Connectors package the contacts into ready-to-mount single row, double row and circular layouts.
Discrete spring-loaded pins
Standard · Series 0945
Standard SMT Omniball® pin
The original Omniball®: .266" (6,76mm) above-board height, .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 55 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 9 A max; contact resistance is 30 mΩ max. Also available on tape and reel (750 per reel).
Connection: Surface mount, .128" (3,25mm) Ø pad
Standard · Series 7945
Standard through-hole pin, .079" (2,00mm) tail length
A .079" (2mm) tail length for thinner PCBs, with a .266" (6,76mm) above-board height, .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 55 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 9 A max; contact resistance is 30 mΩ max.
Connection: Through-hole, .044" (1,12mm) plated hole
Standard · Series 7945
Standard through-hole pin, .118" (3,00mm) tail length
A .118" (3mm) tail length for thicker PCBs, with a .266" (6,76mm) above-board height, .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 55 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 9 A max; contact resistance is 30 mΩ max.
Connection: Through-hole, .044" (1,12mm) plated hole
Standard · Series 7949
Standard solder cup pin
Takes wire up to 20 AWG. A barb and an anti-rotation knurl let it press in from either direction. .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 55 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 9 A max; contact resistance is 30 mΩ max.
Connection: Knurl press-fit in a .079" (2,01mm) or barb press-fit in a .116" (2,95mm) non-plated hole or insulator; solder cup wire termination
Low profile · Series 0945
Low-profile SMT Omniball® pin
A .218" (5,54mm) height, 18% lower than the original 0945, with .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 60 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 8 A max; contact resistance is 20 mΩ max.
Connection: Surface mount, .132" (3,35mm) Ø pad
Low profile · Series 7935
Low-profile through-hole pin, .079" (2,00mm) tail length
A .208" (5,28mm) above-board height with a .079" (2mm) tail length, .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 60 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 8 A max; contact resistance is 20 mΩ max.
Connection: Through-hole, .044" (1,12mm) plated hole
Low profile · Series 7935
Low-profile through-hole pin, .118" (3,00mm) tail length
A .208" (5,28mm) above-board height with a .118" (3mm) tail length for thicker PCBs, .030" (0,76mm) stroke, 60 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 8 A max; contact resistance is 20 mΩ max.
Connection: Through-hole, .044" (1,12mm) plated hole
Large scale · Series 0845
Large-scale SMT Omniball® pin
Twice the stroke of the original, .060" (1,52mm), with a .156" (3,96mm) ball, .384" (9,75mm) height and 72 g at mid-stroke. Current rating is 13 A max, 40% more than the original; contact resistance is 20 mΩ max.
Connection: Surface mount, .197" (5,00mm) Ø pad
Large scale · Series 7845
Large-scale through-hole pin, .150" (3,81mm) tail length
.060" (1,52mm) stroke, 72 g at mid-stroke, .384" (9,75mm) above-board height and a .150" (3,81mm) tail length. Current rating is 13 A max; contact resistance is 20 mΩ max.
Connection: Through-hole, .054" (1,37mm) plated hole
Omniball® spring-loaded connectors
Series 845
Single row Omniball® connectors
2 to 10 positions on a .158" (4mm) pitch, .266" (6,76mm) above-board height, Nylon 4/6 insulator.
- 845-22-004-30-611101 SMT, alignment pins and 4-40 threaded inserts
Connection: Through-hole (845-22-0XX-10-0X1101) or SMT (845-22-0XX-30-XX1101)
Series 847
Double row Omniball® connectors
4 to 20 positions on a .158" (4mm) pitch, .266" (6,76mm) above-board height, Nylon 4/6 insulator.
- 847-22-008-30-611101 SMT, alignment pins and 4-40 threaded inserts
Connection: Through-hole (847-22-0XX-10-0X1101) or SMT (847-22-0XX-30-XX1101)
Series 945
4-pin circular Omniball® connector
A round SMT connector with a machined FR-4 insulator, well suited to round cable connectors and twist-and-lock designs. Also available on tape and reel.
Connection: Surface mount, .128" (3,25mm) Ø pads; packaged in tubes
Omniball® spring-loaded pin specs at a glance
Every Omniball® pin is precision machined in Oyster Bay, NY, and gold plated on all current-carrying surfaces. The shared specs below apply to all three pin series.
Shared by all styles
Contact
- Rolling ball interface replaces the plunger
- Brass alloy shell and ball
- 20 μ" gold over nickel on shell and ball
- 10 μ" gold over nickel on the spring
Mechanical
- Durability: 100,000 to 1,000,000 cycles at mid-stroke
- Shock: no electrical discontinuity > 1 μs at 50 g
- Vibration: no discontinuity > 1 μs, 10 to 2,000 Hz, 20 G
- Barb press-fit feature on SMT and through-hole bodies
Electrical
- Current rated at a 30 °C temperature rise per IEC 60512-5
- 20% derated current listed for every series
- Contact resistance 20 to 30 mΩ max, by series
Environmental
- Operating temperature -55 to +125 °C
- RoHS compliant (RoHS-3)
- REACH unaffected, MSL 1
- Made in the USA
What changes by style: standard, low-profile and large-scale pins
| Specification | Standard 0945 · 7945 · 7949 | Low profile 0945-1 · 7935 | Large scale 0845 · 7845 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball diameter | .091" (2,311mm) | .091" (2,311mm) | .156" (3,962mm) |
| Maximum stroke | .030" (0,762mm) | .030" (0,762mm) | .060" (1,524mm) |
| Rated travel (mid-stroke) | .015" (0,381mm) | .015" (0,381mm) | .030" (0,762mm) |
| Initial force (pre-load) | 30 g | 20 g | 22 g |
| Force at mid-stroke | 55 g | 60 g | 72 g |
| Spring | #09 beryllium copper | #06 stainless steel | #52 stainless steel |
| Maximum current | 9 A | 8 A | 13 A |
| 20% derated current | 7.2 A | 6.4 A | 10.4 A |
| Contact resistance | 30 mΩ max | 20 mΩ max | 20 mΩ max |
| Max operating temp at max current | 120 °C | 150 °C | 150 °C |
| Above-board height | .266" (6,756mm) SMT and through-hole; .298" (7,569mm) solder cup | .218" (5,537mm) SMT; .208" (5,283mm) through-hole | .384" (9,754mm) SMT and through-hole |
| Terminations | SMT; through-hole .079" (2,00mm) or .118" (3,00mm) tail length; solder cup up to 20 AWG | SMT; through-hole .079" (2,00mm) or .118" (3,00mm) tail length | SMT; through-hole .150" (3,81mm) tail length |
| PCB mounting | SMT pad .128" (3,25mm) Ø; .044" (1,118mm) plated hole; knurl press-fit in .079" (2,007mm) and barb press-fit in .116" (2,95mm) non-plated hole for 7949 | SMT pad .132" (3,35mm) Ø; .044" (1,118mm) plated hole | SMT pad .197" (5,00mm) Ø; .054" (1,372mm) plated hole |
Current ratings at a 30 °C temperature rise per IEC 60512-5. The 7949 solder cup pin has a barb and an anti-rotation knurl, so it can be pressed in from either direction; use the knurl when solder cup alignment is critical.
Omniball® connector specs
| Specification | Single row 845 | Double row 847 | 4-pin circular 945 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | 2 to 10 | 4 to 20 | 4 |
| Pitch | .158" (4mm) | .158" (4mm) | Circular layout |
| Above-board height | .266" (6,756mm) | .266" (6,756mm) | .266" (6,756mm) |
| Insulator | Nylon 4/6 | Nylon 4/6 | Machined FR-4 |
| Termination | Through-hole or SMT | Through-hole or SMT | SMT |
| Mounting options | Through-hole: tabs with no inserts, 4-40 or metric threaded inserts. SMT: tabs with alignment pins and no inserts, 4-40 or metric threaded inserts | Through-hole: tabs with no inserts, 4-40 or metric threaded inserts. SMT: tabs with alignment pins and no inserts, 4-40 or metric threaded inserts | SMT |
| Contact used | Standard Omniball® (7945 through-hole, 0945 SMT) | Standard Omniball® (7945 through-hole, 0945 SMT) | Standard Omniball® (0945) |
| Current per pin | 9 A | 9 A | 9 A |
| Rated voltage | 100 VRMS / 150 VDC | 100 VRMS / 150 VDC | 100 VRMS / 150 VDC |
| Dielectric withstanding voltage | 1,000 VRMS min | 1,000 VRMS min | 1,000 VRMS min |
| Insulation resistance | 10,000 MΩ min | 10,000 MΩ min | 10,000 MΩ min |
| Packaging | Box or tube | Box or tube | Tube or tape and reel |
Current per pin is rated at a 30 °C temperature rise with the pin tested in free air; performance may be moderated when the pin is used in a connector. XX in a connector part number is the position count.
Not sure which Omniball® fits your design?
Omniball® contacts for slip rings, blind mate and rotating electrical connectors
If your interface slides, rotates or mates off axis, an Omniball® contact can replace a plunger pin that would bind or wear. Typical uses include:
Slip ring contacts
Contact between stationary and continuously rotating parts to carry power and signal, as in CT scanners, radar antennas and robotic arms.
Dial and rotary switches
Connect different circuits as a knob or selector turns.
Sliding power connectors
Server and rack drawers that allow hot swapping of components.
Rotating electrical connectors
Twist-and-lock, quarter-turn and threaded round cable connectors, including rugged IP-rated designs with rotational mating.
Blind mate connectors and docking stations
Lateral engagement that makes a secure connection without precise alignment, for docking stations, quick connects and blind mate interfaces.
Parallel PCB and bus bar links
Sliding board-to-board connections, and cable-free PCB to bus bar connections in tight spaces, mounted vertically or horizontally.
- Industrial automation
- Data centers and servers
- Medical and imaging equipment
- Aerospace, defense and rugged electronics
Order Omniball® pin and connector samples
Request samples for evaluation, or buy production quantities from Mill-Max distributors. Other connector position counts and mounting options are listed on each series page.
Sample requests need a Mill-Max account. Order Sample opens sign-in or create account, then adds the part to your sample cart.
| Part number | Description | Samples | Buy from a distributor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0945-0-15-20-09-14-11-0 | Standard SMT pin (also available on tape and reel) | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 7945-1-15-20-09-14-11-0 | Standard through-hole pin, .079" (2,00mm) tail length | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 7945-2-15-20-09-14-11-0 | Standard through-hole pin, .118" (3,00mm) tail length | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 7949-0-15-20-09-14-11-0 | Standard solder cup pin, up to 20 AWG | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 0945-1-15-20-06-14-11-0 | Low-profile SMT pin | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 7935-1-15-20-06-14-11-0 | Low-profile through-hole pin, .079" (2,00mm) tail length | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 7935-2-15-20-06-14-11-0 | Low-profile through-hole pin, .118" (3,00mm) tail length | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 0845-0-15-20-52-14-11-0 | Large-scale SMT pin | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 7845-0-15-20-52-14-11-0 | Large-scale through-hole pin, .150" (3,81mm) tail length | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 845-22-004-10-001101 | Single row connector, 4 positions, through-hole | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 845-22-004-30-611101 | Single row connector, 4 positions, SMT with alignment pins and 4-40 inserts | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 847-22-008-10-001101 | Double row connector, 8 positions, through-hole | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 847-22-008-30-611101 | Double row connector, 8 positions, SMT with alignment pins and 4-40 inserts | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
| 945-22-204-30-360101 | 4-pin circular SMT connector (also available on tape and reel) | Order Sample | DigiKeyMouser |
Build a custom Omniball® connector
When a standard layout will not do, Mill-Max engineers can design a connector around your motion type and range, stroke, current rating and alignment strategy.
Custom spacing and patterns
Place Omniball® contacts where your mating part needs them, not where a catalog layout puts them.
Molded or machined insulators
Injection-molded insulators for volume, or in-house machined FR-4 and G-30 laminate with no tooling charge and no minimum quantity.
Integrated hardware
Combine contacts, alignment pins, receptacles and threaded inserts in a single machined laminate insulator.
Threaded inserts and alignment pins
Ruggedize mounting and simplify alignment in assemblies that see vibration or repeated engagement.
Prototype to production
Start with 3D-printed or machined laminate prototypes, then move to production with in-house engineering support throughout.
All under one roof
Engineering, tooling, machining, stamping, plating, molding and assembly in Oyster Bay, NY.
Precision spring-loaded contacts, made in Oyster Bay since 1971
Mill-Max is the leading US manufacturer of machined interconnect components, with a vertically integrated facility on Long Island. Omniball® contacts are precision machined, gold plated and backed by Mill-Max Technical Services from design through production.
Omniball® spring-loaded pin and connector FAQ
What is an Omniball® spring-loaded pin?
An Omniball® pin is a spring-loaded pin, or pogo pin, in which the traditional plunger is replaced by a gold-plated brass ball. When engaged, the ball compresses and rolls, so mating surfaces can slide parallel to each other while spring force keeps consistent electrical contact.
Who makes Omniball® spring-loaded contacts?
Mill-Max Mfg. Corp. designs and manufactures Omniball® spring-loaded contacts and connectors at its vertically integrated facility in Oyster Bay, NY, where engineering, tooling, machining, plating and assembly are all done in house. The rolling ball design is covered by US Patent 11,509,087 B1.
Can Omniball® pins be used in slip rings and blind mate connectors?
Yes. Omniball® contacts are built for parts that slide or rotate into contact. Typical uses include slip rings that carry power and signal to rotating parts such as CT scanners, radar antennas and robotic arms, blind mate and docking connections that need no precise alignment, and twist-and-lock or quarter-turn connectors.
How is it different from a standard plunger pogo pin?
A plunger pin is built to mate along its own axis. When a mating surface slides or rotates across it, side loads can cause binding, premature wear and structural failure. The Omniball® rolling ball interface accepts lateral, rotational and angular engagement instead.
Which Omniball® series should I choose?
Start with the standard series (0945, 7945, 7949) for .030" (0,76mm) stroke and 9 A. Choose the low-profile series (0945-1, 7935) when height is tight, or the large-scale series (0845, 7845) for .060" (1,52mm) stroke and 13 A. All three are rated -55 to +125 °C.
How much current can an Omniball® pin carry?
From 8 A to 13 A per pin at a 30 °C temperature rise per IEC 60512-5: 9 A for the standard series, 8 A for low profile and 13 A for large scale. The 20% derated values are 7.2 A, 6.4 A and 10.4 A. Inside a connector, ratings may be lower than these free-air pin values.
What PCB terminations are available?
Discrete pins come in surface mount, through-hole solder tail in .079" (2,00mm), .118" (3,00mm) or .150" (3,81mm) lengths depending on series, and solder cup for wire up to 20 AWG. The SMT and through-hole pins also carry a barb press-fit feature for plastic insulator housings or non-plated PCB holes.
Do you offer Omniball® connectors?
Yes. Single row connectors come in 2 to 10 positions and double row connectors in 4 to 20 positions, both on a .158" (4mm) pitch with a .266" (6,76mm) above-board height, in through-hole or SMT versions. A 4-pin circular SMT connector is offered in tubes or on tape and reel.
Can Mill-Max build a custom Omniball® connector?
Yes. Mill-Max can design a custom configuration when a standard layout will not fit, with custom spacing and patterns, injection-molded or machined FR-4 insulators, threaded inserts and alignment pins. Machined laminate insulators need no tooling charge and no minimum quantity. Contact Technical Services to discuss your application.
How do I order Omniball® samples?
Use the Order Sample button in the ordering table on this page. Sample requests need a Mill-Max account: the button opens sign-in or create account, then adds the part to your sample cart. Production quantities are available through Mill-Max distributors such as DigiKey and Mouser.
Omniball® resources and announcements
Need a different stroke, height or layout?
Tell us how your parts move. Mill-Max Technical Services will help you pick the right Omniball® series or design a custom interconnect around it.
Prefer to talk? Call Mill-Max at +1 516-922-6000, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM New York time (US Eastern).