Swagingsleeves
for steel
cable
assemblies is one of the most commonly performed rigging functions for lighter
duty applications. Watch our video for everything you need to know in order to
safely and correctly swage sleeves for your next application.
For a text and picture version of this information, keep reading.
We’re often asked whether it is better to make an eye with hour glass
sleeves
or with
wire rope clips.
Swaged hour glass
sleeves
are stronger, more cost effective, and do not require future maintenance or
re-torquing of nuts. They are also more streamline than
wire rope clips.
Where rigging products are concerned, swaging refers to the process of using
a
tool
or machine to apply force to a
sleeve
or ferrule. Through this process, the sleeve becomes compressed onto and
around a portion of
cable.
7x19 refers to the cable having six outer strands surrounding the center
core strand that counts as the seventh. Each strand is composed of 19
smaller wires.
If you look closely, you can see the v-shaped area between the strands. This
is referred to as a “valley.”
The aluminum is soft. When compressed by the swaging tool, it will be forced
into the valleys of the cable, locking the aluminum sleeve into place.
Creating a Swaged Cable Assembly
Make an eye by passing the cable through the sleeve and doubling it back.
Before swaging, make sure the “cut end” of the cable sticks out at a length
at least 2 cable diameters. This will allow for full contact with the cable
when the sleeve expands during swaging.
Place the sleeve into the tool jaws.
Note the proper orientation of the swage tool cavity with the aluminum
sleeve.
The sleeve should always be vertically aligned and never horizontal.
With the sleeve in the proper position, make your first swage by squeezing
the swage tool handles together until the jaws are completely closed.
For each sleeve size, there is a prescribed number of swage crimps that must
be made.
In the case of this ¼” sleeve, it requires 4 swage crimps.
Be sure to leave a small space in between each of the crimps. Your finished
assembly should look as shown.
Swages per Sleeve
Different sized sleeves will require a different number of swages.
2 swages are required for sizes 1/16ths" and 3/32nds" sleeves.
3 swages are required for sizes 1/8th" and 5/32nds" sleeves.
4 swages are required for 3/16ths" and ¼ inch sleeves.
5 swages are required for 5/16ths" and 3/8ths" sleeves.
Swaging Sequence
When making multiple swages, it is important to follow the correct sequence
for each sized sleeve.
The diagram here can be referenced for the swaging sequences of different
sized sleeves
E-Rigging also carries zinc copper hour glass sleeves which are recommended
for stainless steel cable.
It is important to note that aluminum sleeves are NOT recommended for
stainless steel cable because of the possibility of the aluminum corroding
when in contact with stainless steel. Over time this may cause the contact
between the sleeve and cable to weaken and make an unsafe assembly.
Lifting, Overhead Lifting, and Suspending
Properly installed Aluminum and Copper duplex sleeves have been used
successfully to suspend overhead equipment in various industries such as
stage rigging, agriculture, marine and construction for many years. It is
imperative to follow the manufacturer’s swaging procedures, and verify the
swage with a Go/No-Go gauge prior to use. For critical lifting applications,
it is recommended that a qualified person design, break test, and validate
the assembly for the intended use. The fabrication process and margin of
safety must be taken into account for the intended application. Shock loads
should especially be avoided with these types of fabricated assemblies, but
copper sleeves are more resistant to cable slippage than Aluminum sleeves in
shock loading situations.
