AUTOMATED WIRE PREPARATION SYSTEM

The aerospace industry has taken great strides during recent years in the area of automation. In the field of electrical subassembly, the techniques for wire harness fabrication are progressing from the highly labor-intensive, manual methods to automated ones. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, in Mesa, Arizona, has taken the first step toward an automated wire harness facility by implementing the Wire Vektor 2000 into the wire harness preparation area. The move toward automation, however, was not without a number of problems, unforeseen delays, and adjustments in utilization plans. The challenge for manufacturing is to overcome the problems and integrate automated equipment into production methodically, so that the end result is a low-cost, effective manufacturing facility.