Increasingly, assemblers-particularly those in the automotive, medical and electronics industries-are singing “It’s a Very Challenging World for us All” when processing wire for their products.
Engineers have been experimenting with shape-memory alloys and polymers that are referred to as “smart materials.” They “remember” their original shape and can return to it, opening new possibilities for many movable features, such as replacing the electric motors traditionally used to activate car seats, windows and locks. There are numerous applications for the technology in the automotive, aerospace, appliance, medical and electronics industries.
The mechanical linkages and hydraulic actuators that traditionally control automotive braking and steering systems will eventually go the way of kerosene lanterns, rumble seats, running boards and hood ornaments. They will be replaced with drive-by-wire systems, such as brake-by-wire, suspension-by-wire and steer-by-wire. As a result, automakers will be putting new demands on the wire harness industry.
Manufacturers have no trouble hanging onto key employees these days, since job opportunities are scarce. But, that hasn’t reduced the need to find new ways to engage people. No matter what type of economic opportunities a company can provide, engagement still plays an important role in employee retention.
The Pentagon plans to spend billions of dollars over the next decade to create a new generation of unmanned vehicles for various land, sea and air applications. Those devices will require a wide variety of state-of-the-art robotics, sensors, electronics, vision systems, grippers, controls, batteries and other components
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