Three Controversies in Manufacturing Hardware

Did you know that the manufacturing industry is fighting back after years of stagnant growth? The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the industry has increased 2% over the last few years. A small gain, but a significant gain nonetheless. Controversy surrounds how to increase this growth, though. Productivity is an important aspect of improving gains, and one way to improve productivity is through better quality parts.

Here are three parts important to the manufacturing industry, as well as the controversies they represent when it comes to productivity.

1. Nylon Nuts

Nylon nuts are not made completely out of nylon. Instead, the nut has a nylon insert that acts as a lock for the nut. This can prevent nuts and screws from coming apart. Experts disagree about whether or not nylon nuts can be used more than once. Some say that, because the nut isn’t damaged during installation, there is no harm in re-use. Others say, however, that using the nylon nut does affect its effectiveness. For this reason, the Air Force requires replacing locking nylon nuts in certain areas.

2. Desk Grommets

Desk grommets come in multiple shapes, and are usually composed of a hard plastic type material. Most grommets will have some sort of slot for wires and cables to go through. This is because the purpose of a desk grommet is to ensure good wire management, and minimize the chaos that multiple cables can otherwise lead to. According to Bi Tech, there is a bit of controversy regarding when the desk grommet is used as a design element of computer cases. They point out that it would only be used for an external radiator, yet anyone building their own computer isn’t going to want to use an external radiator.

3. Zip Ties

Zip ties are frequently used to tie up groups of cables during a network installation. They hold cables snuggly in place without loosening, and can come color coordinated in order to make distinguishing cables easier, making them a handy tool. In an article for Soft Layer Kevin Hazard explains how the use of colored zip ties rather than hook and loop for cable bundling has often been controversial. Zip ties often get a bad rap because over-tightened ties could impact network performance. However, Hazard points out that he’s never had this happen, and in zip ties’ favor, they are “much stronger and more permanent than hook and loop ties.”

What controversies in manufacturing hardware have you heard about? Let us know in the comments.