International Wire and Cable Market Growth and Development

PRLog recently reports of the developing growth and advancing technologies of the global wire and cable market. This press release provided an overview of the market size based on volume and value sales, with analysis of the following aspects: materials: plastics, metals, fiber, superconductors; technologies: power transmission and non-power transmission; and application sectors: residential, commercial, and industrial premises, and utility providers. It also discussed analysis of global market trends of custom and coaxial cable sale trends, with data from 2009, estimates for 2010, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2015, and outlined basic operating principles of cables and wires, with sections on the anatomy of a cable, fundamentals of power transmission, and fundamentals of telecom signaling and data transmission.

The terms cables and wires in this report are used interchangeably. For instance, custom cables refer to the physical structure that is used to conduct electrical current and telecommunications signal/payload. The term cable should thus be distinguished from the same term used in context of the cable television industry, for instance.

Cables and wires are the most commonplace indicators of a wide range of technologies existing in various stages of sophistication. As in other fields, military wires primarily serve two purposes: transmission of power and transmission of telecommunications payloads and signals. These two broad usages span a wide array of applications and industries. Consequently cables and wires comprise a formidable market on their own.

The underlying operating principle has remained consistent over the years and is fairly uncomplicated with regards to cables super flexible wires serving as conduits to connect high-tech islands. This simplicity in technology does not rub off on its market dynamics. The result of this simplicity is a large number of significant stakeholders. Additionally, these diverse stakeholders are very sensitive to macroeconomic trends on the global scale.

The raw material costs on the supply side explain much of the volatility in the cable market. As a result, the pricing trends of cables and wires are not entirely driven by market demand. The market is also far from being homogenous, with the end user profiles ranging from wholesale purchasers, telecom operators, retail users, utility managers, power supply companies as well as enterprises. The leverage enjoyed by the buyers is by and large proportional to their purchase volumes and inversely proportional to the importance of cables and wires to their applications. For additonal information, please visit www.calmont.com to learn mor

Medical Cable- Applications of the Lumen in the Medical Industry

In the medical device industry a lumen is a term used to describe tubing which is typically used to transfer liquids, gases/air or even other cable components such as fiber optics and cameras. Lumens can be manufactured in a variety of configurations and incorporated inside a cable with multiple lumens (multi-lumen).

If you have been to the dentist then you have had experience with lumens. The handpiece used for air and water has lumens within the cable. The suction piece placed in your mouth is a disposable lumen. Other uses for lumens include micro-surgical instruments and pressure transducers. Cables for handheld medical lasers likely contain lumens for cooling. Ablating handpiece cables can also contain lumens for irrigation and suctioning.

Lumens are not limited to the medical cable industry. Lumens are used in many industries and are often called other names such as tubing or hose.

Other industries using lumens include:

• Industrial
• Automotive
• Instrumentation and sensors
• Automation/ robotic
  

As products become smaller and more compact and it is more common to see tubing and cable incorporated into one component. A few examples outside the medical industry include hi-tech hand sprayers with electronic controller in handpiece, cables with hydraulic fluid tubes, pressure transducers and air controlled switches.

Often when designing a device or equipment with tubing or lumens a custom cable solution is needed. It is important to tell your cable manufacture as much information as possible about the application and its intended use.

Key information may include:

• Used for fluid, air or other?
• Will it be pressurized?
• Type of fluid or gas?
• Flexibility requirements?
• Bio-compatibility requirements?

The more your cable manufacture knows, the better the design will meet your needs. Working with a cable manufacturer early in your design phase will help to determine tubing size, material and construction to insure your project goes smoothly from the start.

Comments are welcome! Tell us about your lumen application or challenge.

Have a question? For more information on lumens, tubing, or custom cable visit www.calmont.com/