A layman might believe that environments catering to industrial and/or manufacturing process might be incredibly chaotic and downright inhospitable. As it turns out, it is quite the opposite thanks in large part to wire harnessing. While thought of a mere aesthetic option, wire harnesses play a major role in keeping complex operations (both inside & out) quite tidy. In fact, their impact is such that just about every industry on the planet utilizes wire harnesses of varying levels of complexity.
Such functionality is quite impressive given the overall simplicity in how wire harnesses are put together. Visual observation shows nothing more than bundled cables with a primary function of transmitting a signal or electrical power. However, there are a few things worth knowing. For example:
Wire Harness vs. Cable Assembly
Even in industries that use them, these two terms are used interchangeably. The biggest differences between a wire harness and a cable assembly is that a wire harness has multiple breakouts with multiple terminations as opposed to two ends for a cable assembly. This miscommunication about which term is being referred to leads to confusion at all levels. It also leads to lost time and wasted materials.
Making Things Better
Using wire harnesses, especially in complex equipment & rougher environments, makes for quicker, easier installations, not to mention upgrades and/or retrofits as technology changes over time. The customization of wire harnesses for a particular application & environment leads to a more secure fit, keeping components safe. Wire harnesses also prove to be an ideal solution when space is an issue. Some environments can be cramped, so a quick interconnect solution that is stout in both form & function is preferred.
Bridging The Gap
A hot topic in the world of manufacturing (as well as every other industry) is the integration of automated processes. Many have feared that a reliance on automation would lead to the decimation of the physical employee. However, wire harnesses are a little different. They are a component that relies on a significant amount of manual assembly. That said, automation is used when possible to help increase productivity and maintain consistency.
Getting It Right
Wire harnessing is run through an exhaustive amount of testing and general quality control. The ‘completed’ harness is connected to a test board that is pre-programmed & run to make sure all is as it should be.
Of course, the amount of work that goes into wire harnessing will vary between manufacturers. Herein lies why the relationship between a client & their manufacturing partner is crucial to final build quality of the wire harness. LoDan Electronics, Inc. has been an interconnect solution go-to for over five decades because of our dedication to quality. Click here to learn more about how we can help you today.