Molded, Non-Molded, and Strain Relief Assemblies

Molded, Non-Molded, And Strain Relief Assemblies

Cables are something so ubiquitous that we hardly even stop to think about how they’re made –  or how they’re designed to last.  It may seem as simple as tossing a bunch of wires together and attaching them to a Connector, but there’s much more to it than that!  There are all kinds of techniques we use at 3-CI to prevent breakage, to ensure safety, and to enhance reliability of the transferred signals within.       

One of the most prominent types of Cable Assemblies available today are those known as Molded Assemblies. These, as the name suggests, are cables that are covered with a protective layer of material that can bend and flex, yet still maintain its tough exterior.  The protective material can vary, from Polyurethane to PVC to rubber and more; they are so named because the material is injected into a mold, where it completely covers the target cable.  This material can also house further components that will reduce interference and signal degradation or disruption.  If you look around your house, you can see many examples of these designs on your electronics – but they are also used in both military and medical fields for their reliability and excellent abrasion resistance.     

All of these are in contrast to Non-Molded Assemblies, which are the opposite. They can be covered with other materials that are not injection-molded, but this limits their flexibility.  Now, that sounds like it’s a drawback, but it actually makes these assemblies stronger and more rigid, lending an extra layer of protection around highly sensitive parts.  Without these, it would be difficult to protect certain parts of your electronics, like very thin filaments or circuits.     

All of these safeguards would be useless without the help of Strain Relief Assemblies.  These are our shaped, tireless friends that cover the joint where a Cable meets a Connector, and without them, we’d all have to replace our cables far more often.  3-CI makes use of these Assemblies to reduce wear and tear on Connectors, provide additional strength to the ends of the Cables, and at times we even make specialized forms that form right angles, splits, or other necessary functions.       

It may be easy to forget all the work that goes into customizing and creating all of the many Cables you use – directly and indirectly – every day.  But here at 3-CI in Calgary, Alberta, and Houston, Texas, we’re always improving, innovating, and ensuring that everything you need is ready to perform when you need it.  So give us a call today to  find out how we can streamline your business!