SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI—Wire harness manufacturers must adhere to industry standards if the highest levels of quality are to be attained and maintained.

With standards for wire harnesses getting tighter, harness assemblers are increasingly using crimp force monitors to ensure quality connections. However, that technology can only tell you how well the crimping process is working. It can't make the process better.

Every worker and piece of equipment must multitask if a company is to be successful. This is the business philosophy of most wire harness manufacturers, particularly those that are small, like Manufacturing Resource Group (MRG).

It goes without saying that every manufacturer wants to ensure they are assembling a quality product. Standards and specifications from various organizations provide a guideline from which manufacturers can measure different aspects of quality, while also providing the customer with the reassurance that they are purchasing a trustworthy, long-lasting product.

SAE AS85049 Specification was established to standardize shield termination bands.

Myriad factors influence how and why harness assemblers set up their shops.

Carbon nanotube wiring is light, strong and efficient in transmitting electrical current.

Many factors can affect crimp quality.