BY PATRICK McLAUGHLIN
If one had to choose a single word to encapsulate the theme of the conference sessions at the 2006 Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (www.electricalwireshow.com), it would be “efficiency.”
From tooling to testing to RoHS, the topics were variations on the theme of effective, efficient electrical wire processing.
And connectivity technology was at the forefront.
The conference, held May 24-25 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, WI, kicked off with a presentation entitled “Making a Connection with IPC/WHMA-A-620, Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies” presented by Jack Crawford, IOM, director of certification assembly technology with IPC (www.ipc.org). The standard Crawford dissected was in its final stages of revision when he gave his presentation on May 24. It includes information on crimping requirements, insulation-displacement connections, ultrasonic splicing, and securing by lacing/shielding.
Another primary attraction for conference attendees was “How to Prevent Lean Implementation Failures: 10 Reasons Why Failures Occur,” presented by Larry Rubrich, founder of WCM Associates (World Class Manufacturing) and author of two books-including a book with the same title of his presentation, and upon which the presentation was based. The book, published in 2004, explores why many manufacturing companies have disappointing results in their productivity initiatives.
Another presentation germane to connectivity technology was Robert Adkins’ “USCAR-21 Electrical Performance of Hand-Crimped Connections,” in which he provided real-world crimp samples of solderless wire-to-terminal and wire-to-wire splices using hand crimp and ratchet-style tools. Adkins is a North American sales manager with Rennsteig Tools (www.rennsteig.us).
Automation and efficiency go hand-in-hand, so say Rob Boyd of Schleuniger (www.schleuniger-na.com) as well as Todd Fries and Mark Christie of HellermannTyton (www.htamericas.com). Each took time to make a case for automation in the manufacturing process; Boyd discussed the advantages of automatic wire-terminating machines while Fries and Christie discussed automated wire labeling and bundling procedures, respectively.
Cirris Systems’ (www.cirris.com) founder Marlin Shelley focused on a slice of the A-620 standard-high-voltage testing on assemblies used in equipment where downtime cannot be tolerated.
And especially in 2006, no industry conference would be complete without a discussion of RoHS. NewarkInOne’s (www.newarkinone.com) senior vice president Jeff Shafer and 3M Electronic Solutions Division’s (www.3m.com) Ron Revell filled that commitment by presenting their companies’ paths to RoHS compliance. Entitled “RoHS Myths and Realities,” the discussion tackled the notion of some that because they are outside Europe, RoHS won’t affect them.
It will, said Shafer and Revell. And by the time this article reaches your doorstep, it probably already has.
The conference sessions were accompanied by an exposition that included more than 80 exhibitors.
