With the aim to reduce downtime and move away from manual methods of fitting cable ties to its cable assemblies, TCL approached HellermannTyton for a solution. Working closely with TCL to understand its requirements, HellermannTyton recommended its automatic cable binding solution to enhance production speed, quality and reliability.
Telecom Connections Ltd manufacture and supply a range of cable assemblies including surface mounts, wiring harnesses and looms. The business needed an automatic bundling system integrated into its production line to secure cables together quickly and efficiently, supplying customers with neat cable assemblies whilst reducing laborious production methods.
TCL uses more than 50,000 cable ties each year when securing its bundled cables to reduce space and to allow sleeves to be applied over the cables. Looking for new ways to enhance the speed of production, improve quality and ensure reliability and repeatability, TCL worked closely with HellermannTyton to identify the best solution to reduce cable tie fitment time while retaining high quality levels. The AT2000 now enables TCL to secure its cable ties using a semi-automated process, reducing fitment time by 75%.
John Brodie, product manager of fastenings & fixings at HellermannTyton said: “Reducing TCL’s manual methods of cable tying was key to increase production capacity, resulting in the AT2000 Autotool being the best fit.”
The AT2000 is an electrically-powered system for bundling electrical wires. It can be used stationary or mobile using the bench mount kit or the overhead suspension to reduce its weight when holding it, depending on the customer’s application and requirements.
Customers can also integrate the AT2000 into a fully automated production line by using the power pack with integrated control box. The cable ties used alongside the AT2000 system can operate in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +105°C, offering flexibility for customer applications.
TCL employees use the AT2000 to secure cable bundles when manufacturing cable assemblies, ensuring the final product is compact and secure for customer applications.
Alex Goff, managing director at Telecom Connections Ltd, comments: “The AT2000 is a very intuitive and easy machine to operate, enabling us to move from a completely manual method to a semi-automated process. Manually fitting cable ties can be a laborious and time-consuming exercise using normal methods, and now thanks to HellermannTyton we’ve been able to semi-automate the process and cut down fitment time.”
HellermannTyton’s Autotool 2000 CPK provides a 1mm-20mm bundle diameter, the smaller version within the Autotool range. The range also includes the ATS3080, which offers a 1mm-80mm bundle diameter.
