Need an opinion about the practice of cutting lacing cord (waxed
and unwaxed) used to support or secure wire bundles.

At a customer's request, we're thinking about outlawing the
use of hot-tweezers (wire strippers), or more commonly soldering irons
to cut the ends, and require use of scissors or cutters only.

Operators have been using the side or end of the soldering iron
tip for years.  The iron may fit more easily into tight areas, and
it can save time to "burn" down a row instead of cutting individual
tie ends.

Perceived drawbacks to the practice:

1. Residue fouls the iron tip.  Some operators use an iron with
an old, oxidized tip just for this purpose, but some don't keep
a spare iron, and have to clean off the residue.  Customer is concerned
about contamination of the solder joint.

2. Solder balls from the tip can stick to the lacing cord, maybe
drop off and become conductive FOD.

3. Soldering iron can nick wires or other structures, damage
insulation.

I think that #1 is bogus - I don't think the solder joint can be
contaminated by nylon residue, and if the tip won't tin, the operator
can't make a decent solder connection.  Of course, fouled tips could be
costing us money (we use Metcals).

Issues 2 and 3 may have more traction, but these conditions are
rejectable now.  We have no data to suggest that this is costing
us in rework, or escaping into the field.

Any strong feelings either way?

-Joe

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