Part 1. Design & Material Foundation (DFM)
Connecting point A to B is simple. Making it survive the real world is engineering. This chapter breaks down the foundation needed to turn a concept into a reliable product.
We cover the critical pillars of a robust design:
- Environmental Requirements: Defining voltage, current, and exposure limits upfront so the harness lasts years, not just days.
- Documentation: Structuring BOMs and drawings to eliminate production ambiguity.
- Component Selection: Navigating trade-offs in conductors, insulation, and connector families.
- Design for Assembly (DFA): Ensuring your CAD models are actually buildable on the factory floor.
Read on to stop guessing and start designing harnesses that last.
4.1 Quality Baseline: IPC/WHMA-A-620 Classes
The IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard is the mandatory quality benchmark for the cable and wire harness ind...
4.2 Conductor Materials: The Electrical Core
The conductor is the functional heart of any wire harness. Its selection dictates not only the el...
4.3 Insulation & Cable Structures: Environmental Armor
If the conductor is the heart of the harness, the insulation and cable structure are its skin and...
4.4 Connector Families: The Mechanical Interface
The connector is the only part of the harness designed to be disconnected, making it the weakest ...