Guaranteeing Quick Delivery
Cables and connectors: you rarely come across one without the other. To ensure they work together reliably, several steps are required. In our series on cable assemblies, we will show you what those steps are and more—starting with logistics.
Before a cable can be assembled in production, meaning before it can be fitted with the appropriate connector, much has already taken place in the background: cable reels are prepared, connectors are staged, cables are cut to exact lengths, and the correct components for an order are bundled together. For customers, this seamless start is a major advantage, as delivery times do not begin only at assembly—they begin in the warehouse.
Fully automatic warehousing, quick availability
Efficient logistics is one of HELU's greatest strengths around the globe. Tens of thousands of cable and wire variations are permanently available in our logistics centers, where they are supported by modern warehouse and conveyor technology so that orders can be fulfilled “just in time” every day. Our assembly locations also have their own warehouse areas where they keep common cable types on hand so they are prepared to quickly begin working on the next order.
Assemblies require even more than that. They require connectors, glands, lugs, ferrules—all of these parts are also available from stock from our small-parts warehouses, which are automated, controlled, and managed using software. As soon as an order is received, the required materials are staged, meaning they are prepared in the desired quantities. All of this happens digitally and within minutes.
Exact cuts to desired lengths
Every customer has their own unique specifications when it comes to assembly lengths. This is where cutting comes in. The desired lengths are unwound from their original reels and cut to order—fully automatically. The cable warehouses are directly connected to the cutting machines using conveyor technology. This results in exact lengths and reproducible processes and creates a reliable foundation for subsequent assembly.
Ask the expert
What is the most decisive factor in determining the delivery time of a cable assembly? And in what way can the customer actively affect it?
Delivery times are primarily determined by three factors: the availability of cables, connectors, and accessories; the design complexity; and the scope of the order. Customers can have the greatest influence on lead times by providing the most exact technical specifications possible from the start—ideally including part numbers, pin assignments, and clear length and tolerance specifications. Standardizing preferred components or stock lengths also often speeds up delivery, as parts can be picked more quickly. The earlier alternatives for critical components are approved, the easier it is to avoid bottlenecks.
What differences are there between standard and custom assemblies?
Standard assemblies based on specifications from drive technology manufacturers can move directly to fulfillment once the order is received. This is because parts, lengths, and processes are predefined, the raw materials for the desired assembly are either on hand or can be ordered on short notice, and logistics can make the components available as needed. For custom assemblies, the process typically starts with a request from a customer or from one of our Sales Manager Solutions. These requests are then reviewed for technical feasibility. After that, we source the necessary materials and prepare a quote for the customer. Only after approval are the cables, connectors, and accessories for the order procured and prepared for production.