You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Below is our video explaining different wire rope clips and the different environments in which each wire rope clip is best suited.
If you would prefer a text and picture explanation of the video, keep scrolling.
If you are seeking information on the proper installation of wire rope clips, please look to our Wire Rope Clip page, our YouTube Channel, or the direct link to the video at the end of this article.
Wire Rope Clips may also be referred to as Wire Rope Clamps, Cable Clamps, Wire Clamps, Wire Clips, U-Bolts or other local terms. These typically all refer to the same group of products.
Wire Rope Clips are used to form a load bearing eye at the end of a wire rope/cable and to connect two cables together using a lap splice.
E-Rigging carries a variety of wire rope clips in different materials, styles, and coating types. These wire rope clips are suited for less than permanent applications. They can be secured with common hand tools and are a cost-effective alternative to swaged sleeves, if you only have to make a few assemblies.
There are 3 types of Wire Rope Clips Materials: 316 Stainless Steel, Hot Dipped Galvanized, and Malleable Zinc Plated.
- Most Corrosion Resistant
- Best for outdoor applications as they are highly resistant to corrosion, especially in or near saltwater environments.
Hot Dipped Galvanized (HDG) Advantages
- Lower cost than stainless steel
- Suited for outdoor environments.
- Not as corrosion resistant as stainless steel wire rope clips.
Malleable Zinc Plated Advantages
- May be used outdoors but may exhibit signs of surface rust quicker than Hot Dipped Galvanized wire rope clips; especially if used in rain, snow, salt air, or saltwater environments.
Styles of Wire Rope Clips: Traditional, Fist Grip, Drop Forged, Cast, Malleable, Single Stamped Cable Clamp, and Double Stamped Cable Clamp
Composed of three different parts: The saddle, the U-bolt, and nuts.
Composed of only the saddles and nuts. The saddles are mirrored on this type of clip so there is no need for a U-bolt and provides unique advantages during installation.
Drop Forging
Drop Forging is the process of heating and hammering steel to the shape desired. This allows the steel’s grain structure to be consistent and conform to the shape of the forged item. Cast and malleable wire rope clips may fracture under heavy use due to the steel’s random grain structure created during manufacturing.
E-Rigging’s Drop Forged Traditional Style and Fist Grip Style wire rope clips are the strongest and most durable type of clips that we offer.
These clips are the best choice in critical suspending, guying, and tie-down applications.
- Best used in applications that do not involve overhead suspending and are non critical.
- Cost effective alternative to drop forged wire rope clips.
- Slightly less reliability than drop forged wire rope clips due to the difference in manufacturing processes.
These cable clamps are also known as Simplex and Duplex Cable clips/clamps and are composed of the saddle, top plate, and bolts.
- They can be used as an alternative to wire rope clips in some applications.
- Most cost-effective stainless-steel option.
- Suitable for light duty applications.
- Double clamps can hold a little more load than the single clamp.
- Feature an aesthetic design that some customers use as the deciding factor when given the choice between using a wire rope clip or cable clamp.
How to Size Wire Rope Clips and Cable Clamps to Wire Rope/Cable
An important aspect of purchasing and assembling these items for your project is to properly size the wire rope clips to the cable. This will help ensure that you have a safe and secure assembly.
Size the clip to the size of the cable used.
If you are using ¼” cable, use a ¼” clip
IMPORTANT: The working load limit of the cable assembly will decrease if the vinyl coating is not stripped from the cable. This occurs because the saddle and u-bolt are making contact with the soft and pliable vinyl coating and not the wire rope, which may cause slippage in the assembly and can lead to failure. It is also important to note that different companies size vinyl coated cable differently. E-Rigging lists vinyl coated cable by the cable diameter without the coating. The vinyl coating adds a little thickness to the cable. We have the finished/ final diameter of the cable with the coating listed on our website.
Size the clip to the vinyl coating diameter of the cable used.
If you are using a 3/16" cable, coated to ¼” final diameter, use a ¼” clip.
Or, to insure a safer assembly, you can strip the vinyl coating and follow the sizing rules below.
Size the clip to the size of the cable used.
Same rules as if using regular, uncoated cable.
If you are using ¼” cable, use a ¼” clip
Now that you know the wire rope clip size and type you need for your project, check out our video on Installing Wire Rope Clips.
We hope this information was helpful to you. If you need more information, please contact our team by clicking here . Let us assist you in ordering the correct rigging supplies to get your next project started.
Drop Forged Wire Rope Clip
$0.64
Type 316 Stainless Steel Stamped Double Cable Clamp
$1.13
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit ZheXi.
Type 316 Stainless Steel Stamped Single Cable Clamp
$0.82
Type 316 Stainless Steel Cast Wire Rope Clip
$0.78
Zinc Plated Malleable Wire Rope Clip
$0.14
The world of metalworking is full of fascinating techniques for shaping raw materials into useful components. Two of the most fundamental methods are forging and casting. Both have long histories and play crucial roles in modern manufacturing. But how do you decide which one is right for your metal shaping techniques project? This comprehensive guide will get you into the world of forging vs. casting, exploring their processes, advantages, and ideal applications.
Forging – Shaping Metal Through Force
In metaI shaping techniques, imagine a blacksmith hammering a red-hot piece of iron into a horseshoe. That’s the essence of forging! Forging is a metal shaping technique that utilizes compressive force to deform the metal into the desired shape. This force can be applied through hammers, presses, or dies. The metal is typically heated to a specific temperature (often above its recrystallization temperature) to increase its malleability and make it easier to manipulate. During forging, the grain structure of the metal is elongated and refined, resulting in a stronger and more uniform material compared to its cast counterpart.
Strengths of Forging
- Superior Strength– Forging excels in producing high-strength metal components. The aligned grain structure created by the forging process enhances the metal’s ability to withstand stress and pressure, making it ideal for applications requiring exceptional durability. Think crankshafts, gears, and connecting rods.
- Improved Fatigue Resistance – Forged components exhibit superior resistance to fatigue, which is the weakening of a material over time due to repeated stress. This makes them perfect for parts subjected to constant cycling loads, such as aircraft landing gear and engine components.
- Enhanced Ductility – Forging also improves a metal’s ductility, or its ability to deform plastically without breaking. This allows forged parts to absorb impact and resist cracking, making them valuable in applications like wrenches and hammers.
Limitations of Forging
- Complexity Limitations – Forging is better suited for producing simpler shapes compared to casting. The intricate details achievable with casting can be difficult or impossible to replicate through forging due to the constraints of die design and force application.
- Production Run Considerations – Forging is often less cost-effective for high-volume production runs. Setting up the dies and manipulating the metal can be labor-intensive compared to pouring molten metal into molds for casting.
- Material Limitations – While forging can work with various metals, there may be limitations depending on the project requirements. Some alloys might not respond well to the high temperatures involved in the forging process.
Casting – Shaping Metal Through Molten Metal
Casting, on the other hand, takes a different approach. Here, the metal is heated to its melting point, transforming it into a liquid state known as molten metal. This molten metal is then poured into a pre-made mold with the desired cavity shape. Once the metal cools and solidifies, the final cast component takes form. Casting offers a high degree of design flexibility, allowing for the creation of intricate details and complex shapes that might be challenging to achieve through forging.
Strengths of Casting
- Design Complexity – Casting shines in its ability to produce parts with intricate details and complex geometries. The mold can be designed to capture even the most unique features, making it ideal for components with internal cavities, thin walls, or intricate surface features.
- High-Volume Production – Casting is a well-suited process for high-volume production runs. Once the mold is created, the casting process can be relatively fast and efficient, allowing for the creation of numerous parts quickly and consistently.
- Material Versatility – Casting can be used with a wider range of metals and alloys compared to forging. This opens doors for projects requiring specific material properties that might not be ideal for forging processes.
Disadvantages of Casting
- Strength Considerations – While casting can produce functional parts, they generally exhibit lower strength compared to forged components. The internal grain structure of castings can be uneven, leading to potential weaknesses in certain areas. Heat treatment processes can help mitigate this to some extent.
- Porosity Issues – During solidification, air pockets or cavities can sometimes form within the cast metal, creating porosity. While some levels of porosity might be acceptable depending on the application, excessive porosity can compromise the strength and integrity of the component.
- Dimensional Accuracy – Casting can be prone to slight dimensional variations due to factors like mold shrinkage and thermal expansion. For applications requiring high precision, forging might be a better choice.
Choosing Between Forging and Casting
- Desired Shape – For intricate shapes with complex geometries and fine details, casting reigns supreme. Its ability to replicate mold cavities precisely allows for intricate designs that might be difficult or impossible to achieve through forging.
- Strength Requirements – If your application demands exceptional strength and resistance to stress, fatigue, and impact, forging is the way to go. The aligned grain structure of forged components makes them ideal for high-performance applications.
- Production Run – For high-volume production runs, casting often offers a more cost-effective solution. The speed and efficiency of the casting process, once the mold is set up, makes it suitable for mass production.
Beyond Forging and Casting
While forging and casting are dominant forces in metal shaping, it’s important to acknowledge other techniques that might be suitable depending on your project needs. Machining, for instance, involves removing material from a solid block of metal to achieve the desired shape. This offers high precision but can be less efficient for complex geometry. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a rapidly evolving technology that builds objects layer by layer, offering design freedom for complex parts.
Frigate – Your Partner in Metal Shaping Techniques Solutions
Whether you require high-strength forged components or intricate cast parts, Frigate can be your trusted partner. We possess extensive experience in both forging and casting techniques, along with a deep understanding of their advantages and limitations. Our team of experts can help you select the optimal metal shaping process for your specific application, ensuring you receive top-quality metal components that meet your exact requirements.
Are you interested in learning more about forgeable cast iron Overhead Line Fittings? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!