Typical Motion of Flexing Cables

The flex type and application of the cable will determine how the cable is manufactured. When the cable is designed with a special flexing application, the cable has to be manufactured on a unique cabling machine that will minimize and back-twist on the cable core.

Continuous Flex - The cable is rolling/flexing back and forth in a linear motion. Usually these cables are used in C-track applications where the bend radius is designed for a 10 x the cable diameter or less.

Torsional Flex - The cable is being twisted clockwise and counter clockwise with angles varying from 90 to 360 degrees. This type of flexing usually occurs on robotic equipment that is being twisted and flexed constantly for a long period of time.

Bending Flex - The cable is being flexed back and forth with one of the ends being stationary. This is referred to in the industry as a tick tock motion. Majority of the stress on the cable is on the two focal points where the bend and load are being applied.