The difference between mechanical cable and a mechanical cable assembly is the presence of fittings applied to the mechanical cable itself. When engineers design mechanical cable, which, depending on the cable’s diameter, can also be known as wire rope, they consider variables such as lay length, wire diameter, cable diameter, cable construction, cable coating, and a host of other factors.
Cable pulleys may not be what one thinks of when thinking about machines. Notions of complex, mechanical equipment used to complete sophisticated tasks come to mind when considering the word, machine. But Cable pulleys are machines too! Matter of fact, oftentimes even the most sophisticated machines consist of other machines – sometimes, simple machines, which can amount to little more than rudimentary components like a single lever, a gear, or yes, a cable pulley.
Every day we encounter stretchy material, like rubber bands or balloons. But did you know that even metal materials, like springs, can stretch? Such is the case with mechanical cable. Mechanical cable, also known as wire rope, is made of metal wires. Wire counts can be as few as two and as many as several hundred. The wire count, combined with the material and a host of other factors, informs the presence of cable stretch immediately upon manufacturing, straight on through the cable’s entire lifespan.
Push-pull control cable assemblies are more common than you might think. Also known as control cables, push-pull control cables are found virtually everywhere. Have you used a lawn mower? They’re in the choke, which is the part of the mower that regulates fuel flow and ultimately, powers to the mower’s blades. Everyone has used a bicycle, right? Well, push-pull cable assemblies control slowing and stopping using the bike’s handbrake systems.
A control cable is made from mechanical cable, or wire rope, which is typically constructed with galvanized steel, stainless steel or other alloys. Control cables are an assembly or system of cables and components, such as a ball and shank fitting, where there is an input or action that causes an output or outcome.
