



The stiff connector interfaces with a very flexible cable and the point of contact takes the brunt of the movement. Tight bends in a cable near its connector cause high stress, fatigue, and failure. But how can you create a reliable connector when you need your cables to last a long time? Can you accomplish the task without demolishing the aesthetics of the design? The short answer is yes, and this article will explain how! Why Do Good Cables Go Bad? So, strain is a common problem in a variety of contexts. NASA has these issues, too - a 2020 International Space Station (ISS) Daily Summary Report shows a repair made to the ISS Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Umbilical (IEU): “The new IEU design that incorporates strain relief has been added to the end of the umbilical where it interfaces with the suit (corrective action to previous water leaks).” And strain relief is not only important for consumer products where users test even the most robust designs. įor such a simple concept, strain relief designs have a significant impact on users.
#CABLE STRAIN RELIEF CONNECTOR HOW TO#
Pro-Tip: for a more comprehensive review of strain, including stress-strain curves and design concepts, check out How to Design for Stiffness Using Material Properties.
