Airport Cable Management Systems

Global cable management specialist HellermannTyton believes it remains at the forefront of the market after 80 years due to an on-going fastening and fixing range evolution that involves listening – and responding – to wide-ranging customers’ complex and ever-changing demands to save installation time.

“We long-ago recognised that a ‘one-fits-all’ philosophy was not appropriate for many customers and responded by developing an innovative approach to product design, said Manufacturing Product Manager Richard Rands” 

“By working closely with individual customers, we specialise in developing ground-breaking, tailor-made solutions that meet their specific individual or market requirements,”

Mr Rands cited five new products that demonstrate the company’s customer-led development philosophy that have just – or recently – been added to more than 60,000 fastening, connecting, routing, protecting and identifying solutions for extremely diverse markets – all designed and produced at one of their UK-based manufacturing facilities.

The new ‘Q-Series’ open-head cable tie range provides one of the world’s fastest applied cable ties. Independently approved testing indicates more than a 25% time-saving when applying multiple Q-ties compared with other standard products on the market. The unique patented head design allows for a quick and simple fastening, saving significant time and money across a wide range of installations, particularly under difficult circumstances – for example where gloves are worn or where access to the application is restricted. In trials, the Q-tie was successfully tested by blind-folded installers.

Another significant user-related benefit of Q-ties is the pre-locking function that enables cables to be temporarily fastened before being permanently installed. This reusability factor eliminates the time and cost associated with applying and removing temporary cable ties, therefore maximising the installers’ bottom line.

The Q-Series range of products also includes two-way and four-way self-adhesive or screw fixing cable tie mounts along with easily-to-read identification tags and adhesive labels, fully supported by intuitive label design and printer software.

Complying with SAE aviation specifications, the new ergonomically designed X-Series cable ties have an innovative streamlined design and smaller rounded head compared with standard ties, providing an improved fixing for tight applications and improved overall performance. These products look, feel and perform better than other ties on the market and have been designed with a smaller and more streamlined profile to deliver a more lightweight solution without compromising on strength.

“Not only does the innovative design of our X-Series cable ties improve their physical performance, but we also manufacture these in premium grade materials that have been developed to cope with even the harshest of environments and temperatures – something that other cable ties don’t offer. From inclement weather conditions, extreme heat and sub-zero environments, X-Series fastenings ensure consistent peak performance using inside serrated locking technology and delivering high tensile strength”, added Mr Rands.

In line with these highly innovative new products, HellermannTyton has also re-designed the cable tie application tool necessary to apply them to not only maximise product benefits, but also further reduce risk of injury to the operator.

New ‘TLC’ (tension/lock/cut) technology developed by HellermannTyton for the all new lightweight ‘EVO 7’ tool enables installers to increase productivity when applying a wide range of cable ties – in countless installations – while simultaneously reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury.

Designed to be the slickest modern application tool on the market, the EVO7 has a soft, non-slip handle with a built-in air cushion to reduce pressure points in the operator's hand, while the soft-touch trigger features individual finger grips for fast and efficient use. Recoil or interfering vibration are also eliminated during cutting, plus the tool is available in two ‘hand’ sizes [the ‘7’ and ‘7SP’] for ultimate comfort.

“The advanced composite housing of the EVO7 tool is both impact/chemical-resistant and built to stand up to the most demanding industrial environments, while an improved ergonomic design and new features such as a narrower barrel and nosepiece also allow the tool to be used in extremely tight environments,” said Mr Rands.

“For arduous environments where heavy duty fixings are required, our specialist range of stainless steel products provide powerful, durable, long-lasting solutions that meet the challenging requirements of various industries including power generation, offshore oil and gas, aerospace, rail infrastructure, shipbuilding, chemical industries and many more.”

The range of cable management solutions include: fastening and fixing cable tie systems, stainless steel identification products, ‘HelaGuard’ cable protection systems and manual & pneumatic processing tools. All engineered using the highest quality stainless steel, they are designed with smooth surfaces, rounded edges and the correct hardness for safe and secure applications.

“One of the most widespread products is the ‘MBT-Series’ range of cable ties (metal ball-lock ties). Made of 304- or 316-grade stainless steel, the innovative patented design of these products ensures that the strap glides smoothly through the head for quick and easy application whilst also pulling exceptional levels of force due to the unique ball-bearing locking mechanism.”

Latest developments in the MBT-Series range includes new ‘ultra’ heavy duty 12.3mm and 16mm wide ties complete with a dual ball-bearing locking mechanism to deliver consistently high performance. Available in a complete range of lengths, these products are also available in double-wrap versions which can be wrapped around the bundle and inserted through the head twice, delivering enormous applied loads. Furthermore, they can be supplied with a polyester coating to provide corrosion protection when in contact with dissimilar materials. Ideal for the toughest of environments, these cable ties can deliver tensile strengths of up to 7000N.

In conjunction with the evolution of this heavy duty stainless steel fastening range, a new ‘HDT16’ tensioning tool has been developed for applying these products. Combining heavy duty performance with a lightweight, ergonomic design, this tool has been designed to minimise the effort placed upon installers when applying these strong, high performance ties.

At the opposite end of the scale, the smaller range of MBT-Series ties of up to 7.9mm wide can be use for a range of applications, from standalone fastening solutions to securing stainless steel markers, such as ‘M-BOSS Lite’, or heavy duty electronic identification solutions also developed by HellermannTyton. In addition, these products work perfectly with the new stainless steel P-mount fixing bases for securing cables, pipes and hoses to fixed surfaces.

In order to deliver the very best solutions to the market, all metal products undergo six continuous specialist tests to ‘IEC 62275’ specification [loop tensile strength, insertion force, vibration and shock, heat-aging, salt spray and weathering] with certifications and approvals ranging from ‘DNV’ and ‘ABS’ to ‘Bureau Veritas’.

“Constant demand to refine products to meet specific industrial and customer requirements has seen various locking technologies and new products developed. As a result of our specialist delopment capabilities, in-house product design teams and IEC approved test laboratory – all setup in the UK – we have the flexibility to offer unique heavy duty solutions that can be delivered quickly and efficiently to meet our customers’ requirements” added Mr Rands.

When a non-metal alternative is required for high temperature applications, the PEEK cable tie – originally designed for the Ministry of Defence and aircraft industry in co-operation with leading companies – comes into its own. These specialist cable ties and their accessories combine the mechanical performance of a metal fastening with the ease of use of a nylon cable tie, and are capable of withstanding environments and conditions that no other nylon products can handle.

These extraordinary ‘PEEK’ products can withstand temperatures from -55°C up to +260°C and have excellent abrasion and chemical-resistance – even against acid and gamma radiation – making them appropriate for drilling, railways, offshore and automotive industries.

Their minimal 4.5mm² strap cross-section holds a tensile strength of up to 230N yet it can be applied quickly and easily with only minimal effort (upto 6N insertion force). Also, the design offers an excellent weight-to-tensile-strength ratio making it ideal for mass transit and aerospace applications where weight savings are essential. Furthermore, the contoured head takes up less space than many other products on the market, making it ideal for use in restricted spaces, while its outside serrated strap minimises any indentation or damage to cable insulation in the event of vibration or movement.

Mr Rands added: “Highly significant to both new and existing HellermannTyton customers is that all these new, ground-breaking products – and thousands more – are designed, manufactured and stocked within the UK. Our design facilities in Manchester and Plymouth, in particular, allow us to work in close partnership with our clients to deliver solutions that provide real business value. From conceptual product design and idea generation to R&D and prototype development, our extensive capabilities provide customers with on-going opportunities to begin – or continue – working closely with us in solving many more future installation challenges.”

For further information visit www.hellermanntyton.com.