Audio Engineering Society
Chicago
Meeting Review, July 25, 2006
|
7/25/06
Meeting Highlights Incorporated, a manufacturer and
distributor of audio and video cable products located in Des company history and gave a tour of the facility to
about 40 attendees. Gepco is currently celebrating the 25th
anniversary of its founding in 1981. The company currently designs, manufactures, and
markets audio and video cable, cable assemblies, connectors and specialty products. In addition, Gepco is a distributor for such cable-related products as patch bays, connectors, and tools. Gepco specializes in high-quality, custom and made-to-order products, which has enabled
them to keep their manufacturing within the United States. The audience broke up into several small
groups for a tour that included the office area, stock, manufacturing, warehouse, custom assembly, fiber optics
lab, shipping, will call, and repair. Gepco receives the raw, primary wire and
performs the remainder of the cable manufacturing process, adding insulation, twisting and
balancing, and adding shielding and jacketing. The tour of the manufacturing area allowed the
attendees to see the large machines in action. When the cable is spooled, every foot runs through
someone�s hand as part of quality control. The fiber optics lab is where high
definition cameral cables for field use are hand-built. The fragile glass fibers place special demands
on both the assembly process and the reliability and durability of the design. This challenge prompted
several detailed questions about the process. Breakout boxes for the fiber optic cables
are also assembled here. The remaining finished cable products are built in the custom assembly area.
Except for stripping and crimping, all assembly is done by hand. This part of the tour also
generated many questions. Special thanks to the crew at Gepco for in
interesting and especially unique opportunity! |
