While working on a project recently, I noticed that Digi-key has a product category "Terminals - Turret Connectors". I've never seen connectors like this before, and they don't look like any kind of contact I've seen before. What does the mating connector look like? I can't envision any mating contact that makes any sense for these.
On top of that, they look like they have to be individually machined, which can't be a cost-effective process.
Turret connectors or more commonly Turret terminals are used for to make interconnections between PCB and chassis-mounted components.
Basically these are metal terminals to which wires are connected in a U shape and then soldered to provide strong and reliable connections.
The turret refers to the amount of levels (i.e. the disk like separations) the terminal has. These terminals commonly come in the following types but custom terminals can also be made.
We used them in the 70's for pigtail wire soldering and they are swaged or press fit onto PCBs. Not expensive. They used to be a penny in volume now $0.07. That's inflation and dates me.
The purpose is to provide a strong mechanical joint for stranded wires with 1 wrap around the turret and potted to NASA standards for reliability for strain relief.
This article explains some of the science and MTBF calculations behind moving wire fatigue which is consistent with my experience in production and reliability testing.
Whereas a wire soldered directly to the board lacks the strain relief at the interface. Of course, commercial practice has alternatives, suboptimal, but adequate in their environment.
