Strip Types
The Mercury-2 dual axis optics allows flexible wire stripping:
From top to bottom:
- Cross-cut: laser separates the slug of insulation - operator pulls off as a second operation
- Slit: laser makes a cross cut but also slits along the insulation to aid peeling off a long length. Especially used for cable jackets.
- Window: like a slit, but two cross-cuts are made to allow a window section of insulation to be removed - used especially for accessing the shield of a cable for attaching to the shield.
Cable Types
The Mercury-2 is ideal for processing insulations and wires where a mechanical blade could cause damage. Examples are:
- removal of jackets from shielded multi-conductor cables
- removal of jackets and dialetrics from high performance microwave cables
- cutting aluminized mylar foils of twin-ax cables.
Materials
All polymer insulations can be stripped with the Mercury-2 system. The amount of melt, vaporization or chemical decomposition depends on the exact polymers used. Below is a non-exhaustive list of materials that can be stripped:
- Fluoropolymers, such as PTFE, ETFE, PFA
- Polyethylene
- Nylon
- Silicone
- PVC
- Rubber
- Mylar
- Fiberglass
- Polyurethane
- Polyester
| Min. Outer Cable Diameter | 0.025 mm (0.001") |
| Max. Outer Cable Diameter | 5 mm (0.2") |
| Stripping Length Increments | 0.1 mm (0.01") |
| Strip types | Cross cuts, slits, windows |
| Max. Stripping Length | 125 mm (5") |
| Speed | Up to 250 mm/s (10"/s) |
| Cable Loading | Via fixture plate - up to 10 cables at once |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 720 x 620 x 1000 mm (28 x 25 x 40") |
The Laser Wire Solutions Mercury 2 strips wires and shielded cable ranging in size from 0.025 – 5 mm OD (0.001" – 0.2"). The laser is strongly absorbed by the wire/cable insulation causing it to melt or vaporize. By stripping from above and below a slug of insulation can be separated from the main wire/cable insulation. The slug can be left on to keep the wire strands together, only being pulled off by the Operator immediately before termination. The laser light fully reflects from the wire conductor ensuring there can never be nicked or scraped. In the case of shielded cables, the laser can be used to cut off the jacket, the laser light reflecting from the shield or aluminized foil. The shield needs to be reasonably complete (>80% coverage) in order to protect the inner wire insulation.
The main applications are difficult to process insulations and wires where a mechanical blade could cause damage. Examples include removing the jackets from shielded multiconductor cables, removing the jackets and dielectrics from high performance microwave cables, cutting the aluminized mylar foils of twin-ax cables etc. Using the color touchscreen, the operator selects the desired stripping settings (laser power, strip type and strip positions) from the preprogrammed library and all parameters are automatically set. This unique software system avoids the need to program each laser move individually, with even complex jobs (ten cables with window strips) being programmed via a handful of parameters.
Mercury-2 begins the stripping process when the Operator starts the process via the touchscreen or via the optional footswitch.
The wires/cables are held in position via a configurable fixture plate. Up to ten wires/ cables can be stripped as part of one operation. A standard fixture plate is supplied, but if required a custom plate can be designed for your requirement.
