Can anyone recommend appropriate standard for Reliability Testing of Cables

[Olson]

Hi,
I work for a medical device company and am presently researching methods for reliability testing (flex test methods) of the drive cable. I have identified 4 basic tests for flexing the cable (bending, rolling, torsional, and variable). I am of the belief that there is a standard that describes these tests with recommended procedures. Can anyone offer a standard number (ASTM, ISO, etc). Also, would anyone know of a test lab that is familiar with these tests, per standard and that could perform flex tests on our product. Thanks in advance for any help/direction you can provide.

 

[SteveK]

Hi,
I work for a medical device company and am presently researching methods for reliability testing (flex test methods) of the drive cable. I have identified 4 basic tests for flexing the cable (bending, rolling, torsional, and variable). I am of the belief that there is a standard that describes these tests with recommended procedures. Can anyone offer a standard number (ASTM, ISO, etc). Also, would anyone know of a test lab that is familiar with these tests, per standard and that could perform flex tests on our product. Thanks in advance for any help/direction you can provide.

Hi Olson,

Did a bit of a search (http://shop.bsigroup.com/en/SearchResults/?q=cable drive) and came across this - though as you can see it is not for medical devices per se:

BS EN 2348:1989

Title: Specification for control cable assemblies. Technical specification

Descriptors:

Wire ropes, Cable drives, Control devices, Aircraft controls, Aircraft components, Space technology, Air transport engineering, Space technology components, Flight control, Terminal fittings, Test specimens, Defects, Testing conditions, Performance, Dimensions, Inspection, Sampling methods, Acceptance (approval), Marking, Packaging, Length, Terminal fittings (ropes), Flexible drives

Not got a copy, so whether or not it is relevant I do not know.

Steve

 

[Olson]

Steve,
Thanks for the feedback. I will work on purchasing the standard and hopefully it will provide the direction I need for testing. I don't expect to find a standard specific to medical devices for cable flexing....FDA guidance requires we provide reliability tests, but determining the appropriate testing for our specific product is left to us. Working from a standard simplifies the process and will ensure I meet industry standards.

Thanks again,
Gerry

 

[harry]

Check the link provided in this post.