WCA March 2018

Technology news

Getting round the problem of fastening curved surfaces

FOR many years, there have been limited options for fastening cables to round surfaces. While there are several screw fix and adhesive cable tie mounts available on the market, these tend to be flat and rigid. Adhesive fasteners may be effective for tying down cables to flat surfaces, but when they are applied to a round surface they tend to curl up, fall off, and will not stay flat. This presents a challenge when it comes to securing cables to cylindrical machinery equipment. In this instance, it is not uncommon for cables to be bolted into place, or secured using heavy-duty stainless steel fixing accessories. However, while these solutions will securely fasten cables into place, they can be labour-intensive, requiring time and attention to fasten and apply. They are also largely inflexible and it can be difficult to route cables when they are being bound by bolts and similar cumbersome components. In the absence of a suitable alternative, many design and electrical engineers have become used to these time-consuming and inflexible solutions, settling for methods which are, at the least, satisfactory. The market is now offered a more convenient and lightweight alternative, designed and manufactured by HellermannTyton. An idea for a more flexible self-adhesive mount came from the company’s tooling department in Germany. Whilst building a new M-BOSS printer, it experienced a requirement to mount cables to the printer motor, which had a cylindrical surface. Space was at a premium inside the printer so bolting cables was simply not an option. Any self-adhesive cable tie mounts or clips on the market had been designed for flat surfaces, and peeled off quickly when applied to a rounded edge. HellermannTyton already manufactures a range known as the MB-Series, comprising self-adhesive and screw

❍ FlexTack from HellermannTyton

chassis for want of a suitable fastening solution is a very expensive task. Instead, the market needs a solution that can effectively be retrofitted onto an existing chassis design, which is where a more flexible fastener is in demand. The product has since been enhanced further to develop it into a high-strength, high-tech adhesive, especially for round surfaces. It is manufactured using high-temperature materials with a strong acrylic adhesive that can withstand temperatures up to 105ºC. As it bends to the contours of the surface to which it is applied, it provides uniform stress distribution and greater design freedom for the application. While standard self-adhesive fasteners, stainless steel fixings and bolts still play an integral role in industry, this is the first time that a more flexible and convenient alternative has been made available, helping businesses save time and money. HellermannTyton – UK Website : www.hellermanntyton.co.uk

fixing cable tie mounts. These products are designed with flat surfaces in mind, for example control cabinets, telecoms equipment and domestic appliances where the use of holes, screws, nuts and bolts are impractical or undesirable. Taking this design further, the company modified the component by adding grooves, or hinges, into the material, to give it the flexibility required to securely fasten cables on this rounded edge. The result was effective, and the FlexTack self-adhesive cable tie mount for rounded edges was born. In addition to providing a more convenient and easy-to-install alternative to traditional fastening products, FlexTack is already strengthening the company’s partnership with OEMs. The automotive manufacturing market is one example. A key requirement of this market is to have cable ties routed onto the chassis of a vehicle, but these typically have lots of curves and rounded edges. It can be challenging to get standard adhesive mounts to fasten in this instance, and redesigning an entire

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2018

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