What is innovative about the product?
An innovation for the electrical market, FlexTack from HellermannTyton UK streamlines the process for securing cables to angled surfaces, compared to traditional labour-intensive fastening methods, caused by the presence of bulky components.
Already manufacturing a range known as the MB-Series, comprising of self-adhesive and screw fixing cable tie mounts for flat surfaces, HellermannTyton reinvented this product to give it the flexibility required to securely fasten cables on this rounded edge.
Manufactured from materials that withstand temperatures up to 105ºC, the high strength acrylic adhesive base bonds with virtually any high or low energy surface, with the bond strengthening even further over time. Grooves enable FlexTack to bend to the contours of the surface to which it is applied, further enabling weight to be equally distributed.
What sets the product apart from its competitors?
For years manufacturers, engineers and installers have been restricted when routing cables and wires, around curved and angled surfaces. Conforming to the norm, the use of flat-based, solid, screw fixing mounts was deemed as the only appropriate mounting solution.
Flat screw fixing mounts have always provided electrical contractors with what they believe to be simple mounting solutions. However, they have also provided them with the hindrance of the slow speed of installation and having to figure out ways to mount cables on uneven surfaces without damaging them.
In the absence of a suitable alternative, many engineers have been settling for methods which are at the least, satisfactory. That was until the market was offered a more convenient and light-weight alternative, which was designed and manufactured following a challenging project experienced by HellermannTyton ourselves.
Why the innovation is needed and how it came about?
When it comes to securing cables to cylindrical machinery equipment, 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.
While HellermannTyton was building a new M-BOSS printer, we experienced a requirement to mount cables over the printer motor, which had a cylindrical surface. Space was at a premium inside the printer so routing cables around the motor was simply not an option, prompting us to design and manufacture an alternative solution.
How does the innovation benefit the user?
Traditional fastening methods can have implications for the design of new products. Plans may need to be modified to accommodate inflexible cabling, adding further complexity to the process. By contrast, FlexTack provides a more efficient and convenient way of securing cables to surfaces that are not flat, providing the installers with greater design freedom and a much faster installation.
In addition to providing a more convenient and easier to install alternative to traditional fastening products, FlexTack is already strengthening our partnership with OEMs. Take the automotive manufacturing market as an 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 chassis for want of a suitable fastening solution is a very expensive task. Instead, the market needs a solution which can effectively be retrofitted onto an existing chassis design, which is where a more flexible fastener is in demand.
With a portfolio containing over 70,000 market-leading products, HellermannTyton provides innovative, unique and high-quality solutions for a range of applications and industries.
For a video of FlexTack, visit: https://www.hellermanntyton.us/products/featured-products/flextack
For more information about HellermannTyton’s cable management products and services, visit www.hellermanntyton.co.uk.