Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1518339
52 SMT007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2024 Feature Interview by Nolan Johnson I-CONNECT007 Christina Rutherford is a technical lead and expert in materials engineering at Honeywell, where her specialty is the design, specifica- tion, and manufacture of cables and wire har- nesses. Rutherford also sits on the commit- tee for IPC/WHMA-A-620. In this conversa- tion, we explore the changing dynamics in wire harnesses and how they relate to box build. Christina's standards work allows her to draw insightful parallels between wire harness and box build. Nolan Johnson: Christina, we're here to talk about wiring harnesses and how they play into assembly and box build at the end of the supply chain. First, tell me about your speaking engagement at the upcoming wire show in Milwaukee. The Connection Between Wire Harness and Box Build Christina Rutherford: I will be giving the key- note address at EWPTE on May 15. My topic is process controls and their impact through- out the supply chain. I'll be focusing on some of the core process controls suppliers need, different opportunities for process validation, and correlating some of those to recent aero- space-related news. Assemblers often say, "Basically, it's a hunk of plywood with some nails; you manually lay out the wires, zip-tie them, and when you're done, you have your harness." Is that still true today? It's the general perception, especially with new suppliers starting to get into high reliability application products, that you have wires, you add stuff on the ends of the wires, and you have