Read about the tools and strategies manufacturers can use to meet high quality standards in constantly changing assembly environments.
Topics: Supply Chain Challenges, Manufacturing, Company Culture, Quality Control, Quality
U.S. Navy Ship’s Serviceman Seaman George Allman, from Pittsburgh, mans the rails aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) as the ship pulls into Salalah, Oman, Dec. 30, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Logan C. Kellums)
Every community is impacted by the companies that operate within. Companies of all sizes create a ripple effect, creating a variety of touchpoints and connections within their communities and beyond. This is especially true of a company like Liberty Electronics. Although a small business by definition, Liberty is actually one of the largest companies in the small town of Franklin, Pennsylvania. Franklin is a picturesque, Victorian era community of hard-working families that work together, play together, learn together, worship together, and succeed together.
Topics: Company Culture, Quality
Working on Your Next Light Rail Project? Here’s What OEMs Need to Know
The global light rail industry is forecasted to reach $4.97 billion by 2026, growing at an annual rate of 9.8%. While Europe continues to maintain the highest market growth, the recent rise in light rail passengers across major U.S. cities has led to approvals for light rail extension projects throughout the country — expecting to drive market growth even further. Light rail vehicles produced by companies like Bombardier, Siemens, Kawasaki, Hitachi, Alstom, Ansaldo, and others are expanding across the nation due to advancements in areas like noise reduction, comfort and safety.
Topics: Supply Chain Challenges, Operational Efficiency, Risk Mitigation, Quality Control, Procurement, Quality, Design, Design Challenges, Cost Control, Rail
Imagine notifying your two largest customers that their lines will be down because you won’t be able to deliver their products for 16 weeks. Imagine the daily conference calls, site visits, audits, and over-time costs while your organization is turned upside down trying to deliver product, all for one simple reason: a key part of the process was never formally documented on an assembly that is newly outsourced, or outsourced from a new supplier.
Topics: Supply Chain Challenges, Operational Efficiency, Quality Control, Procurement, Quality, Cost Control
In cable assemblies and wire harnesses, there are hundreds and often thousands of opportunities for defects per assembly. Therefore, it is imperative that a manufacturer takes rigorous steps to mitigate the risk of incurring those defects. Multiple process controls must be deployed to ensure that a wire assembly is produced that meets or exceeds the customer’s requirements. Many of these measures are taken before the components are even built. Revision-controlled quality requirements---specified on prints and in workmanship standards---must be understood. Operators must be trained and must demonstrate this understanding. As an assembly is produced, a predetermined regimen of tests and other validations are employed, both by operators and technicians. These validations, depending on the project, can include mechanical, electrical, and environmental tests. Each of these stages in the quality assurance process ultimately ensures that the product meets or exceeds the customer specifications.
Topics: Risk Mitigation, Cable Assemblies, Quality Control, Quality, Materials Performance, Wire Harnesses, Design, Design Challenges, Box Builds
Making sure wire bundles are adequately secured or contained is an important step in creating a quality product, even after the necessary electrical or environmental protection has been applied. It is imperative that a wire assembly be secured adequately, and it is also crucial that the bundle fits well within the physical space allotted. This is where various wire bundle management techniques come into play. Wires can be held together using heat shrinkable tubing, lacing, stitching, tie wraps, metal bands, or braided coverings. The style and material used to secure the assembly helps it achieve the best performance possible.
Topics: Cable Assemblies, Quality Control, Quality, Materials Performance, Wire Harnesses, Design, Design Challenges