Introduction To Molded Cable Assemblies
If you have ever installed an EEE-1394 FireWire cable to your computer or connected a VCR to your television using the Audio /Video inputs, then you know what a molded cable assembly is. They are used to connect medical testing devices, computer peripherals, audio and video components, digital cameras, and other devices to computers or power supplies.
Molded cable technology has advanced dramatically in recent years. Many of these developments have been designed towards providing more durable and reliable cables. Molded power cables last longer due to manufacturing techniques developed by electronics manufacturers. Retractable power cords in high traffic areas help to resist damage to the cord itself.
They use a flexible soft copper to ensure maximum functionality. The insulation uses a thermoplastic elastomer compound to strengthen the cord further. High-tech connectors can be matched to retractable chords, allowing appliances and devices to be easily moved across a desk without the usual clutter of unsightly cables.
The design and materials used in molded cables today ensure a higher degree of safety and usability. Denser materials can prevent the risk of electrical shock, even when the copper wires inside have become pinched or damaged, which can cause them to short out. The exterior casing resists tearing while fully protecting the wires held inside.
The case absorbers the damage most of the time. This makes them highly functional for usage in sensitive equipment such as computers and medical technology. Peripheral cables inside of a computer are manufactured in such a way as to completely reduce static electricity too. Static electricity can be highly damaging to any of the delicate internal components, so having cables that reduce this risk is vital.
A technique known as injection molding is how molded cable assemblies are manufactured today. This process is used for making parts out of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. The material is deposited into a heated container and then forced into a cavity made in the shape of a design. The molded cavity is handmade by someone calling mold-maker.
They hand-tool a special metal template made from steel or aluminum. The template is then precision-honed to form the exact features of the desired part. The melted plastic is then poured into the template and allowed to dry. This particular technique is widely used in manufacturing solid cables today, from smallest parts to the largest.
Finding the right molded cable assembly for your specific use is usually a simple matter. If your business needs a specific cable for your computer, most office supply outlets carry a wide variety. Likewise, if you need a power solution many hardware stores will sell various one-piece extension cords and an array of sizes and thicknesses.
However, there are cases when your business may need a special application. For this there many companies that manufacture cables used in the injection-molding process. They can design and cable to fit your exact needs. More importantly, they will be able to create complex geometric shapes that many other manufacturing processes cannot.
Tags: Assemblies, Cable, Introduction, Molded