The ultimate simple fastener has been developed over the last few years to fix cables together or fix bundled items. The typical cable tie consists of a sturdy nylon tape with an integrated gear rack molded into the nylon tape and on one end there is small case within which there is a ratchet.
The cable tie is secured by placing the cable tie around the bundle to be tied and then the nylon tape is passed through the ratchet case and pulled tight. The ratchet lets the tape come through one way but will not allow it to pull the other way and therefore locks the tie into a permanently tied position. It is strange that it took so long to develop such a simple item but it is the veritable simplicity that has been the cause of its success.
The market was first opened up for cable tying around the time of the Second World War in the early 1940’s when the wiring looms for the aircraft industry became a major business. The jungle of wires required to be bundled in separate groups routed throughout the plane to the various instruments, controls and motors proved to be a lesson in spaghetti knitting and there was a series of clamps and ties that was developed especially for this business.
The market stayed pretty stationary until the development of the plastic molding business really took off in 1950’s but the main invention came in 1958 by a company known as Thomas and Betts. This was an electrical company and the cable tie was aimed at the aircraft wiring looms. The original ratchet device was of a metal insert type fitted within a plastic case and traded under the name Ty-Rap. In 1968 All States produced the all plastic or Nylon cable tie that is still produced today.
The market for this product has grown enormously with the original market being electrical cable tidy for airframe looms now being expanded to all electrical, instrument and telephone wires and cables. It has also found niche markets in horticulture for plant tying to posts and cables. There are also many cases where items are secured by cable ties, car hub caps being a prime example. They are even used instead of handcuffs by police forces around the world.
Good suppliers have a range of sizes and types always in stock and they can come with a tightening tool if required.
For more information on fixings and fasteners why not take a look at Fix8 Fasteners. You can also find a large selection of Fixings and Fasteners at Fix8 Ltd
