Boeing (www.boeing.com), which already uses 15 of Chad Industries’ (www.chadindustries.net) HarnessMate semi-automated wire insertion machines, has ordered 10 more for its Electrical Product Center in Mesa, AZ. Boeing’s Arizona facility produces wire harnesses for advanced military aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Super Hornet, AH-64D Apache Longbow, and the C-17 Globemaster III.
The aerospace firm was already using Chad’s bench units in its wire harness assembly operation, but needed a more compatible solution for its Lean moving production line.
Several years ago, Boeing and Chad partnered to develop HarnessMate-a portable, laser-guided connector assembly system designed to help operators complete tasks up to 40% faster. Engineers designed HarnessMate with laser-guided illumination of the insertion points for the wire assembly connectors, which helps reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries resulting from eye, hand, shoulder, and back strain due to the intense concentration required for precise assembly work.
“To be effective, Boeing needs to sustain high rates of production without losing quality,” says Fred Edman, manager of manufacturing research and development at the Mesa facility. “Tools that increase throughput without compromising quality are essential in our increasingly competitive business environment.
