Labor Estimation

Automated Labor Estimation Solution for Wire Harnesses

Cableteque counts operations from the BOM and wire list and completes your existing labor template, so labor is estimated 60–80% faster.

Your existing labor standards, imported as-is

Import your categories, operations, setup times, cycle times and labor rates, including kitting, wire processing, termination, testing, QC and packing.

  • No change to your process

    Operations and times are defined by your template, not by Cableteque.

  • Multiple templates

    Maintain separate standards by site or by program type, such as commercial, military and space.

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Operations counted directly from the BOM and wire list

With 10 million parts pre-categorized, Cableteque distinguishes stamped terminals, solid contacts, lugs, crimp splices and solder sleeves and assigns each to the correct operation.

  • Example

    302 stamped terminals machine-crimped at 13 seconds, 16 setups at 6 minutes, 24 solid contacts hand-crimped at 18 seconds and 5 lugs: 2 hours 50 minutes of termination, calculated automatically.

  • Setups and changeovers

    Applicator changeovers are counted for each distinct terminal and added to setup time.

cableteque-quote-labor-1-template

Engineers review exceptions, not routine counts

Standard operations are calculated automatically. Specialty operations remain manual, so engineering judgment is applied where it is needed.

  • Manual operations

    Braiding, overmolding, ultrasonic splicing and requirements from drawing notes or workmanship specifications.

  • Adjustments

    Override any count, add time or apply a complexity factor before finalizing labor.

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Built for wire harness labor estimation

Machine and hand operations

Stamped terminals on reel are assigned to machine crimping and solid contacts to hand crimping, each with its own time standard.

Labor rates by category

Each labor category carries its own rate, so labor cost reflects how your shop costs each work center.

Data validation

Unit-of-measure mismatches and missing quantities are flagged before they affect labor time.

Part categorization

A part that is not yet categorized is flagged once. After it is categorized, it is counted automatically on every quote.

Starter templates

Shops without documented standards can start from Cableteque templates and set their times with our team during onboarding.

Consistent estimates

Labor standards are held in the system, so estimates do not depend on which estimator prepares the quote.

60–80%
Faster labor estimation
Standard operations counted automatically
10M
Parts pre-categorized
Terminals, contacts, splices, lugs and sleeving
Once
Template setup
Applied to every quote after

Manual labor estimation vs. Cableteque

What changes when labor is counted from the BOM and wire list instead of by hand.

TaskCabletequeCableteque QuoteManualExcel and the drawing
Counts operationsFrom the BOM and wire listBy hand from the drawing
Uses your labor standardsYour template, importedIf the spreadsheet is current
Counts setups and changeoversAutomaticallyEstimated
Produces consistent labor timesVaries by estimator
Retains labor knowledgeIn the systemWith individual estimators

What wire harness teams say about Cableteque

See Cableteque complete your labor template

Bring your labor template and a current drawing, and we will show you the calculated labor time.

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to change how we estimate labor?

No. Cableteque uses your existing template, with your work centers, operations, setup times and cycle times.

Can we use Cableteque without a documented labor template?

Yes. Start from Cableteque's templates. During onboarding, our team helps you document your standards and set them up.

How much of the labor estimate is automated?

Most of it. Customers estimate labor 60 to 80% faster because standard operations are counted automatically.

Which operations remain manual?

Operations that cannot be determined from the BOM or wire list, such as braiding, overmolding, ultrasonic splicing, complexity factors and requirements in notes or workmanship specifications.

Will the same harness always receive the same labor time?

Yes. Times are calculated from your template and the counted operations, so results do not depend on who prepares the quote.

Can we use different templates for different sites or programs?

Yes. You can maintain as many templates as needed, such as one per site or separate templates for commercial and military work.

Does Cableteque distinguish machine and hand crimping?

Yes. Each operation in your template has its own setup and cycle time, and every part is counted to the correct operation.

What happens after labor is estimated?

Material and labor move to quote finalization, where NRE, rates and markups are applied and the quote is issued.