Fast custom cabling for custom products

February 2008

Terry McManus, Business Development Manager at Tekdata, takes a look at the impact new standards have on the UK aerospace manufacturing industry.

Tekdata are one of the first “self-starter” companies to commit to SC21 and have been putting plans in place to achieve progress. This is not an easy task for a SME: it involves attending meetings, liaising with regional bodies and, perhaps most importantly, securing appropriate funding.

SC21 appears to be generating an industry of its own, attracting training providers and accreditation bodies alike. Their newly defined bronze, silver and gold awards will spawn even more. A requirement for SC21 signatories is to “recognise and accept Nadcap accreditation.” Nadcap was originally set up to ensure the suppliers of “special processes and products” have fully controlled processes. Having exhausted the special process areas (e.g. heat treatment and plating) Nadcap is now looking to extend its influence into other fields.

For instance, the standard AC7120 for circuit card assembly has been developed last year and as this new standard goes live, it will absorb a whole new group of suppliers who will effectively “have the bar raised” for them. Achievement of this standard is likely to become mandatory for those who have committed to SC21.

It doesn’t stop there: Nadcap has plans to create a new standard for wiring harness manufacturers which will be based on an existing standard, IPC-A-620. This perfectly acceptable IPC standard was set-up in conjunction with the Wiring Harness Manufacturers Association (WHMA). Despite this, Nadcap have already generated a number (AC7121) and a working title (Wire & Harness). This perfectly acceptable standard is being overlooked for no apparent reason!

Which begs the question: “why bypass a standard which is already an Approved American National Standard (ANSI) and recognised worldwide?” It is each and every SC21 member who will be burdened with the extra cost of becoming accredited to this new standard, while the Nadcap committee carries on meeting in exotic locations to develop its 'new' standards. Where is this foolishness taking the UK industry? And more importantly perhaps: when is this lunacy going to stop?

Follow this link to share your views on standards accreditation and other supply-chain issues...

In any aircraft the number, length and weight of the cables are increasing inexorably as more and better electric and electronic systems are developed and installed. The complexity and weight of cabling are set to increase over the coming years.

Tekdata Interconnections was featured prominently in the December issue of Aerospace Manufacturing. Business Development Manager Mark Howitt prepared an article to help engineers understand future interconnections challenges in the aerospace and aviation sector.

His contribution to Aerospace Manufacturing explains how space, reliability, accessibility, maintenance cost-effectiveness and other issues are likely to be handled with a view to reducing failures, component stress and weight.

Follow this link to the Aerospace Manufacturing article...

A few months ago Tekdata conducted a web-based questionnaire of those who read its newsletter to find out more about the technology and capabilities requirements of potential business partners.

The prize on offer for those who kindly answered the survey was a flying lesson. Tekdata is pleased to report that the lucky winners of the flying lessons are Alan Skilbeck and Mike Cooper.

Mr. Skilbeck was quite happy to win a lesson and has reportedly said: “Wow, thanks very much Tekdata!” upon finding out he had won. We understand Mr. Cooper was equally pleased.

Lessons will take place at White Waltham airfield, Maidenhead, and at Tatenhill Airfield, Burton on Trent. Congratulations to both winners and thank you to those who responded to our questionnaire.

Gary Tomlinson has been appointed as production manager by Tekdata Interconnect. Aged 39, Gary brings with him a wealth of experience spanning 14 years in the manufacturing industry. Previously, Gary has occupied posts of Shift manager for a Swiss automotive company supplying parts to Toyota, Honda, BMW and other major players in the car market.

He also has experience in electronics from his time spent as both a manager and shift leader with Celestica, a local manufacturer of PCB assemblies with sites worldwide.

Follow this link to the contact Gary Tomlinson...