wiredInUSA - May 2014
70
These flexible cables feature a bend radius
of 5x outside diameter for static and 7.5x
outside diameter for dynamic and drag
chain conditions, all with an outer jacket
available in four colors.
“Tool and line builders in automotive
factories, machining centers and conveyor
system manufacturers now have a rugged
and more versatile alternative for their most
demanding cable requirements,” Comini
added.
Overhead cable cutting
Manual operation loppers and cutters are
known to distort ACSR cable, or leave it
with dangerous burrs and sharp edges. A
solution to the problem is the Ideal Merlin
TM
PowerBlade cable cutter, contoured to
provide clean, rounded cutting of ACSR
cable.
The cutter fits onto a standard corded or
cordless drill and, once installed, is held
securely in place with an adjustable torque
arm, while the user grips an ergonomic,
textured Santoprene handle for added
stability. The user simply pulls the drill's trigger
to cut through thick ACSR cables in around
20 seconds. Manual cutters typically require
2 to 3 minutes to cut through ACSR.
“Merlin is a natural extension of our highly
successful PowerBlade concept. It brings
all the advantages of PowerBlade to
utility linemen who, until now, have had to
tolerate the drudgery of manually cutting
thick ACSR,” said Bruce Hartranft, senior
product manager for Ideal.
“PowerBlade eliminates the poor quality,
muscle strain and high labor costs
associated with manual ACSR cutters with
a safer, faster and more accurate cutting
alternative that reduces expenses for
utilities.”
Wire feed connectors
Electron Beam Technologies has launched
three newwire feed connectors, expanding
the Fast ‘N Easy
®
products already on offer
from the company for weld wire dispensing.
The connectors, with the use of a conduit
system, provide rapid installation and
delivery of the welding electrode to the wire
feeder froma remotely locatedmaster pack
of wire. TheQCMOTC
®
connector, #A-2095,
adapts most OTC Daihen wire feeders with
a 14mm inlet. The QCM OTC “S” connector,
#A-2099, adapts OTC Daihen wire feeders
and OTC Daihen wire straighteners with a
7/16” -20 female threaded inlet. The QCM
Panasonic connector, #A-2097, adapts
most Panasonic wire feeders with an M14
female threaded inlet.