Cable Assembly Supplier’s Top 10 Stories of 2013

By Cable Assembly Supplier | January 21, 2014

The top 10 stories of 2013 picked by our Readers

Cable Assembly Top 10 Stories of 2013Cable Assembly Supplier’s readers were most interested in the latest market forecasts and technology tutorials, if judged by the most-clicked articles in our newsletter and on our website. Here’s a last look at the most popular stories of 2013, chosen by our readers.

1. The Military/Aerospace Market for Cable Assemblies
Dave Pheteplace looked at the performance of the mil/aero market in 2011 and 2012 and forecasted modest growth in 2013.

2. I Need a Wire Harness Assembly
What information does a supplier need to provide an accurate and timely quote? Steve Olson of TLC Electronics provided the most complete primer we’ve ever seen.

3. Cable Design Software: 10 New Ways to Make Wiring and Harness Design Faster and Better
Electrical design is getting more complicated; the electronics on even the “simplest” machines are sometimes beyond what the big carmakers were doing 25 years ago with big engineering teams and the best CAD tools available. Today’s electrical engineers need more than basic electrical drawing software; they need tools that take the complexity out of the task, helping them work smarter and faster. Mentor Graphics offered tips on making the most of those tools.

4. Termination in Aluminum Stranded Conductors
The use of aluminum in vehicles improves fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions. This is true of the harness as well, where it can replace heavier copper conductors. But to ensure reliability, the termination technology must be optimized for stranded aluminum conductors. TE’s LITEALUM crimp is one example of a solution that solves the problems of terminating aluminum wire.

5. Evolution of a Crimp Tool
Professional crimp tools are used in a variety of industries and end-use applications, each with specific criteria for performance. Kellie Coble of Pressmaster AB explained that end users should look for tools designed to address the key characteristics of reliability and consistency to ensure a professional connection that lasts.

6. Crimp Force Monitoring – The Recipe for Success
CFMs have a multitude of benefits, so why aren’t employees using them? One of the biggest problems is the lack of understanding of the variables affecting the CFM’s ability to detect variations. Schleuniger’s Gustavo Garcia-Cota explains that crimp quality detection is similar to baking a cake: There are a lot of ingredients and if one ingredient is missing or bad quality, you likely won’t achieve your desired result.

7. Ruggedized Cables Enable Commercial Technologies in Mil/Aero Applications
Ruggedization involves modifying commercial cables to meet more extreme mechanical, environmental, and thermal hazards. Because requirements differ with applications — low-fire-hazard cables on aircraft or the use of non-halogenated materials on ships — one type of ruggedization does not fit all cables. Jill Choi of TE took an in-depth look at the technology required for these applications.

8. A New Interconnect Choice for PCIe Extender Card Applications
What’s a designer to do when rigid PCB, flexible circuit, and short cable assemblies don’t fit the application? Charles Staley of 3M examined the possibilities of thin, foldable, ribbon-style twin axial cable assemblies for PCIe applications.

9. Big OEM Sales, No Profits: Consumer Market for Cable Assemblies
Dave Pheteplace examined the market’s performance in 2011 and 2012, then shared Bishop’s forecasts for the year to come.

10. The Medical Market for Cable Assemblies: What’s the Prognosis?
After watching the medical market contract in 2012, Dave Pheteplace crunched the numbers to forecast the possibilities for 2013.

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