Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1542458
48 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2026 Harvell: Yes. Panel Builder for E3.series is not just one thing. It is more than just the instruction set for wiring a panel. It puts the whole panel together. In Europe, I've even seen a laser system that points to where items are to be placed and where the wires are routed inside a panel. I imagine more technology, such as augmented reality, smart glasses, and 3D goggles, but I haven't seen anything yet. What Panel Builder does, inde- pendent from Harness Builder, is create all the instructions for you. The tool doesn't force engi- neering teams to suddenly learn a new system; it's designed for people who don't do this work all day, so they need an easier, more accessible method. How do you respond to the workforce challenges to create a knowledge base for the job? Looking down the manufacturing chain to box build, what are the impacts on precision or efficiencies that these tools in wire harness bring? Harvell: If we go back to the schematic itself, we have an extraordinarily strong schematic application : E3.schematic. I mention it because we're using IPC-2581 to import data for a PCB or a box straight into our application. You can match the connectors up and then proceed to harnessing. That helps engineering companies that also manu- facture PCB systems. If you can export IPC-2581 from your design tools, we can work with it. Ng: Paul alluded earlier to the error checks. For example, if you try to stick an eight-gauge wire into a 20-gauge pin, it won't let you. If you try to mate a d-sub to a circular, it won't let you. Everything has to match up perfectly. If the box already has connec- tors facing outside with part numbers assigned, we can automatically pick the mated connector as well as the appropriate wire and gauge. Having this structured design flow means we're always validating, catching mistakes along the way. When we move to manufacturing, it's a huge benefit in waste reduction to have precise measurements. Thanks so much for all the detail and insight. Harvell: Nice talking with you, Nolan. SMT007 IPC-2581 is used to import data for a PCB or a box straight into the E3.schematic application. ▼