Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

At the conclusion of our webinar, Design Options for Low-Cost UL Approved Cable Assemblies, we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Steven J. Goodman, User Interface & Cable Assembly Product Manager at Epec. We have compiled these questions into a readable format on our blog.

Overmolded cable assemblies are extremely common and used for several reasons throughout the electronics industry. The process of overmolding is inexpensive, completely customizable, and, most importantly, produces a rugged and robust part.

Designing medical devices is no simple task. The stakes are higher for these devices compared to most other industries. Because of that, medical device engineers need to think carefully about which design elements should be prioritized.

Short for "Universal Serial Bus," a USB cable is one that has become a nearly ubiquitous part of our lives, even if some people don't necessarily realize it. Technologically speaking, it involves an industry standard that created precise specifications for not only how these types of cables can be manufactured, but how they can connect one device to another, how power and data can be transmitted, and more.

In the world of custom cable assemblies, flexible wire and overmold solutions are used in a wide range of different contexts. Not only are they commonly employed in association with various types of industrial equipment, but they also play an important role in fields like automation, robotics, and even the automotive industry.

With thousands of wire types, cross-sections, and material combinations, there is no shortage of options available to engineers when selecting low-voltage cables for automotive applications. Kicking off any new design project will require a careful review of the program requirements, timeline restrictions, and budget constraints.

More people are taking into consideration the types of vehicles they use for work, school, and to get around town. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a trend for both individuals as well as commercial operations. Aside from the tax benefits and reduced need for fossil fuels, battery technologies have matured enabling the EVs of today to offer comparable performance to the traditional internal combustion engine.

An electrical continuity test is used to determine if there is an uninterrupted path within a circuit allowing current to pass. Continuity allows electrical components to become properly energized and operate as intended. Simple electrical tests can help verify continuity quickly and inexpensively in a circuit, with sophisticated test equipment available for higher complexity options.

When designing a custom cable assembly, it can be more in-depth than you would initially think. All you have to do is make connections, right? What could be intricate about that? If care is not taken during the design process, it could lead to unintentional failures or incorrect functionality down the line.

Magnetism is such a fascinating and important phenomenon that our world quite literally would not exist without it. Magnetic fields, electromotive force, and electromagnetism are wildly complex subjects while at the same time and at a high level, somewhat simple to understand. What is important is that these principles help electric motors run, earth’s magnetosphere shield civilization, and refrigerator magnets stick unless, of course, your appliances are stainless steel.