Heatshrink as a universal fixing method
A universal fixing solution (if no other clamping / „press-fit“ method is possible) involves the use of heatshrink. Heatshrink is a tubing, which reduces its original diameter as soon as it is heated. It will take the shape of the objects inside of it.
Depending on your situation, you will need to find out how much the heathsrink must overlap the sleeving surface and object surface in order to prevent the sleeving ends from moving. The greater the overlap, the greater the holding capacity. It just requires trial and error to find out what you need in your situation. A transparent heatshrink has better grip than colored heatshrinks.
There are also heatshrinks with hot-glue on the inside, but these are typically meant to seal the opening against intrusion of liquids. The glue effect often isn’t strong enough to prevent a lengthwise stretched cable sleeving from slipping out. It is also a question of aesthetics, because the glue will be pressed out on the ends of the heatshrinks and be a visible factor.
Tricks to achieve a stronger fix with heatshrink
There are multiple logical methods to enhance the fixing strength with a heatshrink.
One solution involves the enlargement of the object diameter on a small portion around the base object. Of course it will also work with any other sort of clamping techniques, because heathrink is a form of clamping as well:
- enlarge the diameter underneath the sleeve AND heathsrink to prevent the sleeving from slipping out of the heatshrink.
- enlarge the diameter underneath the heatshrink to prevent the heatshrink from slipping on the object.
- two enlargement sections working in conjunction, both of the first methods combined.
The following illustrations explain these ideas:
Congratulations!
You will now learn an additional and extremely valuable technique for fixing the sleeving if the situation allows: Controlled melting of cable sleeving with the help of heatshrink.