Abstract:
A single machine configured to manufacture a wire cable assembly including an twisted wire pair and a drain wire having a conductive tape and an insulative tape spirally wrapped about said wire pair. The machine includes a first clamp that secures an end of the wire pair and a second clamp that secures the other end of the wire pair. The second clamp rotates while the first clamp is fixed thereby twisting the wires of the wire pair one about the other. The second clamp can also rotate synchronously with the first clamp thereby rotating the wire pair without twisting. The machine also has a tape reel configured to move parallel to the clamps as they rotate, wrapping tape around the wire pair. The apparatus can be configured to apply the tapes simultaneously to electromagnetically shield and insulate the cable assembly. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.
Abstract:
A tool configured to tension an elongate cable tie around a wire cable bundle and sever a portion of a tie tail from the cable tie. This tool includes a pistol-shaped housing having a handle portion and a barrel portion. A slide mechanism disposed within the barrel portion comprises a gripper mechanism configured to grip a tail of the cable tie and a slide configured to move the gripper mechanism in a direction toward an end of the barrel portion and pull the tail of the cable tie through the tie head, thereby tightening the cable tie around the wire cable bundle. The tool also includes a tensioning mechanism that is configured to halt application of the tension to the cable tie when the tension applied by the slide mechanism reaches a predetermined tension threshold and a cutoff mechanism configured to sever the tie tail from the cable tie.
Abstract:
A wire cable configured to be attached to a wire cable terminal. An uninsulated end of the wire cable is formed into a nugget having a shape that generally defines a rectangular cuboid or rectangular prism. The nugget includes one face that defines a longitudinal concavity, indentation, or channel, which is oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wire cable. The nugget may be formed by ultrasonically welding the wire strands together. The concavity reduces the occurrence of fracturing the nugget when it is attached to the terminal by wire crimping wings. The wire cable may be formed of aluminum-based material. An apparatus for forming an end of a wire cable into a nugget shape having a longitudinal concavity and a method of attaching a wire cable having an end formed into a nugget shape having a longitudinal concavity to a terminal is also presented.