Why do some of the most respected names in aerospace General Electric, NASA, Pratt and Whitney, Rolls Royce, Boeing and Woodward Governor now specify Safety Cable" instead of lockwire?Developed in
1987 by Bergen Cable Technology in conjunction with GE Aircraft Engines, Safety Cable" is the safest, most cost effective, easiest to install fastener retention system available.Safety Cable" has
replaced what was once one of the most troublesome, time-consuming and error-prone of all manufacturing and repair processes lockwiring of fasteners and replaced it with a simple two-step
procedure.It permits manufacture and repair in half the time required for lockwire, reduces rework and inspection while eliminating installation hazards through removal of any sharp edges that can
injure operators or tear protective clothing.The system consists of Bergen Cable Technology's cable, ferrules and a patented, all in one tensioning, crimping and cutting tool. After a cable is
threaded through the fasteners and a loose ferrule inserted, the crimping tool tensions the assembly, crimps the loose ferrule and cuts the excess cable flush to the ferrule all in one smooth
motion.The entire system is so user friendly that entry-level technicians can learn the Safety Cable" installation method in less than thirty minutes and be ready to competently and efficiently
secure fasteners on even the most complex, hard to reach components.HOW GEAE CONNECTED WITH A SECURE SOLUTION TO AN INDUSTRY WIDE PROBLEMLoose fasteners on aircraft engines have provided engineers
with a challenge since the very beginnings of flight. They not only jeopardize the parts they secure but can fall into the wrong part of the engine. Yet lockwiring these fasteners is a time
consuming and troublesome installation, inspection and removal process.GE's Aircraft Engine Group (GEAE) met with Bergen engineers to explore a better alternative an entirely new fastening method
that would make fastener retention safer, easier and faster: Safety Cable".First, the cable design which conformed to an existing military specification and materials (stainless steel) were
specified to effect consistent tensile load. Next, unique compact fittings were designed and then developed and tested. But the hard part still lay ahead: Developing the end fitting and an
efficient way for the user to install it.Once strung through a bolt, the cable had to be tensioned to pull the assembly tight and a second fitting simultaneously crimped on. But no tool existed for
this purpose. It had to be small enough to fit into tight spaces, light enough to avoid worker fatigue, yet possess sufficient force to adequately crimp the second fitting.Bergen came up with a
unique instrument which tensions the safety cable through any bolt pattern, crimps the fitting to the cable end and also cuts the cable flush to the fitting all in one smooth motion.
