-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Butterfly Effect
The basis of chaos theory is a key concept known as the “butterfly effect.” It’s the idea that a small event in one place creates a cascading set of events elsewhere. So, how is the EMS landscape changing? We’re tracking the concerns and dynamics of this landscape, and there’s a lot to learn.
Coming to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
The Connection Between Wire Harness and Box Build
April 17, 2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Christina Rutherford is a technical lead and expert in materials engineering at Honeywell, where her specialty is the design, specification, and manufacture of cables and wire harnesses. Rutherford also sits on the committee for IPC/WHMA-A-620. In this conversation, we explore the changing dynamics in wire harnesses and how they relate to box build. Christina’s standards work allows her to draw insightful parallels between wire harness and box build.
Nolan Johnson: Christina, we're here to talk about wiring harnesses and how they play into assembly and box build at the end of the supply chain. First, tell me about your speaking engagement at the upcoming wire show in Milwaukee.
Christina Rutherford: I will be giving the keynote address at EWPTE on May 15. My topic is process controls and their impact throughout the supply chain. I’ll be focusing on some of the core process controls suppliers need, different opportunities for process validation, and correlating some of those to recent aerospace-related news.
Johnson: Assemblers often say, “Basically, it's a hunk of plywood with some nails; you manually lay out the wires, zip-tie them, and when you’re done, you have your harness.” Is that still true today?
Rutherford: It’s the general perception, especially with new suppliers starting to get into high reliability application products, that you have wires, you add stuff on the ends of the wires, and you have a functioning harness. People can be unaware of the level of controls that go into what's between point A and point B to make it work.
Johnson: When it comes time, you put all the electronics, circuit boards, buttons, and panels together into an enclosure and connect them with the wiring harness. What do assemblers need to know when the wiring harnesses come into their facility?
Rutherford: You have a lot of layers of process control and inspection. Maybe you're not used to requirements in such detail, but suddenly, you have more parts with pre-existing manufacturing standards, and they must be revalidated. It matters a lot more. My background is in aerospace and defense, and we are required to check things more often.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the April 2024 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Würth Elektronik Expands its Range of Power Inductors
05/29/2024 | Wurth ElectronicsIn addition to Würth Elektronik’s five existing package sizes of WE-XHMI SMT power inductors there are now eight new packages. These compact yet extremely efficient inductors feature high current capacity up to 56 A saturation current and the ability to handle high transient current spikes.
Wearable Devices Get Signal Boost from Innovative Material
05/25/2024 | Rice UniversityA new material that moves like skin while preserving signal strength in electronics could enable the development of next-generation wearable devices with continuous, consistent wireless and battery-free functionality.
Growing Wire Harness Industry in India Highlighted at EWPTE 2024
05/24/2024 | Brittany Martin, IPC/WHMA Marketing Coordinator“Made in India” was a central phrase at EWPTE 2024. The wire harness event hosted the inaugural “India Pavilion” which showcased Indian wire harness companies on the exhibit floor.
An AI Revolution in Wire Harness Manufacturing
05/24/2024 | Brittany Martin, IPC/WHMAIn the wire harness industry, a narrative unfolds that is as intricate and interconnected as its products. Arik Vrobel’s journey from El-Com Systems to the founding of Cableteque is one of enduring innovation, strategic adaptation, and a deep understanding of the industry’s evolving needs. His development of an AI application for the wire harness industry may be a game-changer for manufacturers.
Redwire Announces Development of New European-Built Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Spacecraft Platform called Phantom
05/13/2024 | BUSINESS WIRERedwire Corporation, a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, announced Phantom, a new European Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) spacecraft platform.