Sunseeker’s Harness Production Increased by 35 Percent

Contax Ltd - UK

10 November 2006

Production automation system specialist, Contax Ltd, has supplied luxury motor yacht manufacturer, Sunseeker International Ltd with a new cable processing system. This has helped enable Sunseeker’s Technical Centre in Poole to increase their harness production output, whilst greatly reducing the amount of cable types stocked.

The Contax solution chosen comprises a Komax Kappa 240 automatic cut and strip machine, Komax ims 291 inkjet marker and Wiedenbach TSSG 107 stand alone black ink jet printer.

Based in Poole, Dorset, Sunseeker is a global leader in the design and build of luxury motor yachts. It employs 1,800 staff at its shipyards and factories, and produces a range of 21 models ranging from 35 feet to 37 metres. The majority of its cable preparation and harness assembley work is carried out in-house.

Explained Mark Salkeld, Team Leader, Central Electrical at Sunseeker International Ltd, “We produce a wide variety of yachts, with the smaller models using around 30 cable types and larger cruisers requiring 100 or more.

“Previously, we were using a colour coded system, and would need to stock around 550 different colour combinations. This was becoming unworkable due to the ever increasing demand for a greater range of equipment to be fitted, and we therefore had to examine different options for cable marking”.

As part of its research, Sunseeker looked at offerings from a number of suppliers. However, the solution proposed by Contax offered the best alternative, based on machine capability, budget, support and convenience.

Continued Mark Salkeld, “The Kappa 240 provided us with the greatest range of cable sizes from around one mm squared to 95 mm squared, and when coupled with the ims 291, the cables can be cut, stripped and printed. We also purchased a TSSG 107 to cope with additional printing of longer cable lengths (upto 500m).

“Another factor in our decision was that Contax were based nearby, and had an excellent reputation for service,” he said.

According to Mark Salkeld, the new Contax equipment has proved very successful. “We have increased our harness production by 35 percent, as we no longer have to search for the required cables. We have reduced wastage of cabling, and now buy 60 percent less product types. From 550 different colour options, we have now reduced that down to just a dozen or so base colours.

“For example, previously a colour-coded cable would be specified for navigation lights supply, so we needed to stock the particular colour combination cable. Now we just print ‘navigation lights supply’ onto the cable. It is so much simpler both for the assembler, installer and support team.”

In conclusion, Mark finished, “The new Contax cable processing system is working very well for us, and we would happily use Contax again if appropriate for any further requirements”.