Crimping Wire Rope

[Apache]

Gents,

Anyone do much work with wire rope? I'm looking to invent something for birthing cows that doesn't currently exist. I was going to make it out of plastic coated wire rope. It will be going into cows lady bits so needs to be easily cleaned.

I was going with SS wire rope, but can I use either copper or aluminium ferrules to form loops or do I need to use SS ones and get a fancy hydraulic crimper?

Would adhesive lined heat shrink fit over a ferrule and seal, or will it not have sufficient shrink? I want this pretty waterproof.

Are hand crimpers OK for the aluminium/copper ferrules? At this stage I want to knock up half a dozen prototypes not go into mass production.

 

[Sidewinder]

Don't use Al, Cu is more anti-microbial.

Al is too susceptible to chemical attack, Cu can be, but it is more innate than Al, look at the periodic table.

I realise that Al forms a layer of AL2O3 almost immediately upon exposure to air, but this oxide is not well adhered to the base, and is still quire reactive.

Just look at copper roofing to see how long it can last, copper oxide CuO is pretty stable, look at the chemical structure, then as it forms the patina that is verdigris it becomes more stable, not hygienic perhaps I don't know, but stable nevertheless.

Adhesive lined heat shrink may, or may not be sufficient.

IF it could be then I would say 3:1 or more rather than 2:1 so you get a tighter grip and thus more extrusion of the lining to seal the crimp.

 

[Apache]

Thanks.

What about galvanic reactions?

I suppose if this works in principal then I could get them manufactured with SS crimps throughout for strength. Most of what we use is stainless. Discolouration not an issue in itself.

 

[Sidewinder]

Look up the electrochemical series, I believe that there will be less electrochemical potential between Cu & Iron alloys, such as SS, I'm guessing 18:8 as it is the most hygienic, and Ferritic is normally used for instruments as it keeps an edge, so Austenitic would be rope as it is more flexible long term.

You can copper clad steel & Al, admittedly, and Cu & Al form duralumin as an alloy.

Al is pretty reactive with most things really.

Have a look here:

http://www.worldstainless.org/Files/issf/non-image-files/PDF/Euro_Inox/Contact_with_Other_EN.pdf

 

[Andy™]

Kerch's corner shop do heatshrink

 

[OnOff]

You can get medical grade heat shrink.

 

[Andy™]

more importantly, what have you been using medically grade heatshrink on to know it exists?!

 

[OnOff]

more importantly, what have you been using medically grade heatshrink on to know it exists?!

It can be used to make catheters more rigid and soften any sharp edges.....allegedly.....

 

[Andy™]

wish i hadnt asked...

 

[binky]

have a look through this lot, break / transistions. Heatshrink and glue lined available. Might be worth considering brazing the wire rather than using crimps. Can probably get through RS Components or Farnell in small quantities.

http://www.te.com/global-en/products/families/raychem.html?q=&n=42383 54597&type=products&tab=pgp-product&samples=N

 

[binky]

and these guys, who I worked for many moons ago....

http://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/site/products/heat-shrinkable-tubing/hmt200a/354-02259

 

[Apache]

After I started the thread I found enough to order a few bits to make up a few prototypes. Thanks for people's help. If it looks popular then I think I'd just get them made up with SS crimps. I've got a cheap hydraulic crimper that should compress the copper crimps well. Might make up a loop and test it on a dumpy bag!

 

[Andy™]

we need to see this

 

[ProDave]

I am late to this thread, but for Stainless steel rope (bare or plastic coated) and the crimps to crimp it around (say) a thimble go to a Yacht Chandlers (either a real shop or on line) this is exactly what every sailing boat uses to keep it's mast upright.  I have seen it used for such things as wire banisters on staircases etc as well.

 

[Tony S]

Davis of Derby do a ferule for E/S rope switches that is tightened by an Allen screw.