Customer cable assemblies are an integral part of any company that is involved with the telecommunications, industrial, military, and automotive industries. Without quality components, none of the computing or mechanical items in a company’s facilities would be able to operate at an optimum level.
While this may be a known fact for veterans of these industries, there are individuals that are pretty new to the scene that are still learning the ins and outs of how custom cable assemblies actually work and, in turn, benefit their chosen profession. Moreover, there are a number of individuals that operate from home in smaller scales that are in need of optimizing their own computing & mechanical abilities who really want to know more about how custom cable assemblies can benefit them.
First things first, it is important to have a working definition for a cable assembly. A cable assembly is a group of cables or wires arranged into a single unit. Cable assemblies are organized into an easier-to-install package that is easier to maintain & eventually replace as necessary. A sleeve provides protection to the assembly.
When delving into the world of customization, you as the customer need to have basic information on the type of application of the assembly. Assembly manufacturers want to be sure to provide all customers a quality product that meets their needs, but unless they know what the assembly is for, it’s hard for them to know how best to build the product. Moreover, you also need to provide accurate information about measurements for the amount of product needed because surplus material means an expense that wasn’t necessary on your part.
Certifications held by cable assembly manufacturers are a key thing to keep in mind and to look for from the very beginning. After all, certifications are a mark of competence and dedication to knowing the industry well. It also is indicative of a manufacturer’s dedication to its employees and customers as these certifications ensure safety protocols being followed, their employees are receiving up-to-date training in the materials they are using, and that safety is a high priority. Though it can be tough to navigate all of the certification in the industry, it’s important to look out for at least a few key acronyms: Figuring out what all the ambiguous letters and numbers involved in the huge array of certifications out there mean, can be mind-numbing. Unless you are in the business, most of it just seems like a bunch of nonsensical abbreviations, but there are a few very important ones to look out for: ISO certification, UL Registry, RoHS compliance, and IPC/WHMA adherence.
Finally, it’s important to be sure to know what type of lead time you require, as well as what type of budget constraints you operate under. Manufacturers are keen on maintaining production dates & working with a client’s budget while still providing a quality product that suits their needs. While these two bits of information are last on this list, they should probably be right at the top in terms of their importance.
Custom cable assemblies can be a little intimidating for the uninformed. However, with just a general bit of information, and common sense, any industry can improve its operations via a customized solution.