There is always a lot of activity, and a lot of talk, about the process by which a company orders custom cable assemblies. One thing you rarely hear anything about is how exactly a company will go about maintaining these assemblies. Given that these cable assemblies are custom orders made to pinpoint specification, you would think that there would be a very detailed maintenance plan in place. Unfortunately, many companies skip this step, and if they worked with a less-than-upfront manufacturer, they are really going to be in a bind sooner rather than later.
Considering that the number of variations in cable assemblies you could encounter, it would be difficult to have a detailed maintenance breakdown that would apply to all industries. However, a simple list of guidelines would not be out of the question.
Here is a beginner’s guide to maintaining custom cable assemblies:
Avoid Corrosion — This one’s a little tricky because some cable assemblies, by sheer virtue of the environments in which they operate are around heat and moisture, two of the major ingredients in creating corrosion. Not only will it be important to investigate your storage areas & practices, it will also be vital for you to note the environmental conditions your custom cable assemblies will reside in. This way, your manufacturer can work with you & present options for materials to be used that naturally fight corrosion.
Avoid Using Chemical Cleaners — Cable assemblies are comprised of sensitive materials that do not play well with harsh chemical cleaners. Talk with your cable assembly manufacturer for the proper care procedures to follow.
Avoid Pinching, Crushing, or Dropping Items Onto Cable Assembly — Cable assemblies are meant to conduct power and information from one place to another. Depending on their complexity, they may be responsible for more than just a few 1s and zeros. Treat them with care and don’t let kinks develop due to poor handling.
Note Storage Configuration — If your cable assemblies were stored and delivered in a certain way, it might be the best way to actually store and put them away when not in use. Talk to your manufacturer for best practices.
Inspect Upon Receipt — Some might argue that this step should be first, but it’s here in the last spot for impact. Even though a manufacturer can get you the right material when you want it, that doesn’t mean that issues may not exist with product. As you would with any new materials you purchase, inspect every inch of your cable assemblies for any wear or problem areas. Problem areas not identified at this stage can usually lead to issues of compromised product integrity.
Custom cable assemblies, like much of the machinery that is proprietary to an industry, are custom orders and made to do a specific job. As such, there should be a plan in place for regular maintenance to be performed so that all of the parts that comprise the cable assemblies in use are in optimal shape. Putting together this maintenance plan, as well as any additional information necessary for product upkeep, should be an expected byproduct of working with a dependable, trusted, and highly experienced cable assembly manufacturer.
Trust the experts in custom cable assemblies, and contact LoDan Electronics, Inc. today.