What if compliance checks for AS50881 in aerospace or ISO 26262 in automotive were automated to prevent costly quoting revisions for wire harness CMs
Imagine a world where wire harness manufacturers could bypass the bottlenecks of manual compliance checks for AS50881 and ISO 26262, two essential standards in aerospace and automotive industries. In this scenario, compliance verification would be a seamless process, integrated into the quoting stage itself. By automating compliance checks, manufacturers could avoid costly quoting revisions, streamline processes, and improve accuracy across the board. Here, we examine the potential impact of this transformation, exploring the outcomes of automating compliance checks and how it could reshape wire harness manufacturing.
Table of Contents
The Role of AS50881 and ISO 26262 Standards
In Aerospace: AS50881 regulates wiring harness design and installation in aerospace to ensure safety and reliability. The rigorous standards prevent potential failures, supporting the safety-critical nature of aerospace applications.
In Automotive: ISO 26262 is the global standard for automotive functional safety, specifically for electrical and electronic systems in vehicles. By requiring compliance from wire harness manufacturers, this standard ensures that each component contributes to the overall safety of vehicles.
The Current Challenge: Manual Compliance Checks
Currently, verifying compliance for AS50881 and ISO 26262 during the quoting phase is a time-intensive and often repetitive task. This manual process includes documentation reviews, design assessments, and validation testing. Due to the complexity of these standards, compliance checks are prone to human error, which can result in quoting revisions, delays, and lost revenue. Automating this step could drastically reduce these pain points, allowing manufacturers to respond quickly to customer requirements without compromising on quality or safety.
What Automation Could Change
Automating compliance checks could create several advantages for wire harness manufacturers. Let’s examine some of the key outcomes:
1. Faster Turnaround for Quotes: With automated compliance checks, manufacturers could generate quotes faster by removing the need for manual compliance verification. An automated system could cross-reference wire harness designs with AS50881 and ISO 26262 requirements in real-time, flagging potential issues immediately and reducing back-and-forth revisions. Faster quoting means a competitive edge in the market and more opportunities to win contracts.
2. Reduction in Errors: Automation would significantly reduce human errors in compliance verification, catching inconsistencies that might be overlooked in a manual review. By ensuring compliance from the start, manufacturers could eliminate the need for costly revisions, producing designs that meet standards on the first pass. This reliability could lead to fewer production delays, improved client trust, and better relationships with regulatory bodies.
3. Lower Overall Costs: Revisions can be costly—not only in terms of labor but also due to the potential impact on production timelines. Automating compliance checks could streamline the process, preventing quoting delays and eliminating the added expenses associated with revising quotes and modifying designs. In a competitive industry, these cost savings translate directly to a stronger bottom line.
Potential Outcomes
In the short term, companies adopting automation would see immediate improvements in the speed and accuracy of their quoting processes. Quotes would be generated more quickly, with compliance verified automatically, reducing the number of quote revisions and building client confidence. The ability to produce reliable, first-time quotes could also increase win rates, as clients would prefer manufacturers who can deliver accurate, timely quotes without surprises.
Medium-Term Impacts: Towards the end of yr 1, automation could reduce labor costs associated with compliance checks. With fewer revisions and faster turnarounds, manufacturers would be able to allocate resources more efficiently. Additionally, as more clients experience the reliability of automated compliance, manufacturers could establish themselves as industry leaders, gaining a competitive advantage through increased efficiency and precision.
In the long term, widespread automation could set a new standard in aerospace and automotive industries. Clients might begin to expect automated compliance checks as a baseline, pushing companies that rely on manual processes out of contention. By being early adopters, manufacturers could secure their place as trusted partners, fostering long-term relationships with clients who prioritize quality and efficiency. The ongoing savings from reduced errors and lower revision costs would continually enhance profitability.
Feasibility and Technological Considerations
The technology to automate compliance checks is already available. Advanced software like MATLAB and Simulink, which is currently used in automotive for ISO 26262 compliance, can automate design verification, offering a clear pathway for adapting similar solutions for AS50881. These tools provide a traceable flow from requirements through design to implementation, ensuring standards are met at each stage.
Challenges to Address
Initial Investment
Implementing automation requires a significant initial outlay for software and training. However, the cost savings and efficiency improvements over time often justify this investment. Manufacturers must carefully evaluate the ROI to make informed decisions.
Complexity of Standards
Both AS50881 and ISO 26262 are highly detailed standards that require deep technical understanding. Automating compliance checks would require systems capable of accurately interpreting these standards, necessitating collaboration with technology providers and industry experts.
Regulatory Considerations
In safety-critical industries, regulatory acceptance of automated compliance may require extensive testing and validation. Companies would need to work with regulatory bodies to ensure that automated systems meet all requirements, potentially lengthening the adoption process.
To conclude: Automating compliance checks for AS50881, ISO 26262 and others could transform wire harness manufacturing, offering faster quotes, fewer errors, and lower costs. By embracing automation, manufacturers could stay ahead in a competitive landscape, improving both operational efficiency and client satisfaction. For companies willing to invest, automation presents a compelling opportunity to enhance their market position and ensure long-term success.
About Cableteque
Cableteque provides an advanced solution that simplifies and automates the entire wire harness quoting process for contract manufacturers. From interpreting design files to completing bills of materials (BOMs) and obtaining real-time material pricing from suppliers, Cableteque streamlines every step. Additionally, it tackles the complex task of labor estimation by automating the process, reducing the need for senior-level engineering input, and providing accurate, consistent labor quotes. By enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and speed, Cableteque enables contract manufacturers to deliver more competitive quotes and ultimately win more business.
About Mr Arik Vrobel
For over 30 transformative years, Arik led the evolution of El-Com Systems into a pinnacle of excellence in Electric Wire Harnesses (EWH) for global enterprises. In his final 5 years, he steered El-Com to become the foremost provider of engineered harnesses for the commercial-space sector, supporting groundbreaking projects on space platforms.
Since its acquisition by Winchester Interconnect , driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, Arik founded Cableteque , a beacon of innovation offering AI-based CAD tools to enhance and validate engineering designs of EWH, inspiring the industry with his vision for impactful technological advancement.