Will Meridian Cable help my company design a flat ribbon cable assembly?

Certainly! Our team of in-house design engineers will help design and create the ideal custom flat ribbon cable assemblies for your needs. We work with you through every step of the process to ensure your satisfaction and the quality of your cable solution. The design phase of production is a crucial part of creating flat ribbon cable assemblies. During this portion of the process, our team will take the time to understand your unique cable needs and begin designing a custom solution. We draft a digital design of your flat ribbon cable assemblies from the design stage and run preliminary screening tests to ensure it meets your needs. Because of the importance of the design stage, our engineers work directly with you throughout the entire process.

What are the benefits of using flat ribbon cable assemblies?

Flat ribbon cable assemblies have a lot to offer in terms of benefits and capacity. For one, a flat ribbon cable has the ability to mass terminate, meaning it can connect to multiple ports/connections at once. In contrast with a round cable assembly , in which there can only be one termination per port, flat ribbon cable assemblies have multiple terminations in a linear structure. Flat ribbon cables can be built to correspond with any number of different port configurations. This flexibility gives flat cables the ability to be custom designed to suit the specific needs of equipment and function. Their unique design lends itself to a wide range of applications and industrial processes. One of the most common benefits of a flat ribbon cable assembly is that its structure can fit in small spaces like a computer. This allows them to be used in nearly every industry that uses technology.

What is the difference between a cable and a ribbon cable?

Traditional cable assemblies are composed of cables that are generally rounded and have a spiral interior structure. Flat ribbon cables, however, have the conductors structured linearly so that they are side-by-side to form a flat structure. This design allows flat ribbon cables to fold into smaller spaces and have multiple terminations at each end. Practically, flat ribbon cables have a lot to offer in terms of flexibility and adaptability to a plethora of applications. The unique linear design of flat ribbon cables can be configured into the ideal solution for custom equipment. Their design often works better in computers than a standard cable because of the flat ribbon cable’s flexibility.

Why should I choose Meridian Cable to build my cable solutions?

Having been in the cable production business for several decades, we understand that there are numerous cable manufacturers out there. While you certainly could purchase from any old cable production company, you may not be getting the solution your unique situation demands. When you buy an off-the-shelf cable solution, it is going to be a generic cable that may or may not do what you need. We’ve been in this business long enough to know that a one-size-fits-all approach should not apply to cables. We create a custom flat ribbon cable solution from the design up, meaning it is always exactly what’s required to solve the task at hand. We work with our clients to build the ideal solution to the most exacting detail. When you choose Meridian Cable, you get our custom design process, our years of experience, and our top-notch quality cable solutions. You can trust our team with any of your flat ribbon cable needs.

What is the purpose of insulation in flat ribbon cable assemblies?

Insulation serves a very important role in the function of a flat ribbon cable. The conductor on the inside of each cable transfers high amounts of data and electricity in pulses. While these electrical pulses are often low voltage, they need to be contained within the cable to properly function and avoid loose electricity in the area surrounding the cable. The insulation in a flat ribbon cable keeps the electricity flowing through the conductor and allows the cable to transfer data and power correctly and safely. During the design phase, you can choose from different insulators that will best suit the purpose of your cable solution. Getting the appropriate materials for the job is important with an important component like insulation.

What are UL-Certified cables?

UL-Certification is the gold standard within the cable industry. Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) has developed a multi-level certification standard by which cables are measured for quality and reliability. This rigorous certification means that the cables, components, and manufacturing processes are all of the highest ethical and industrial standards. In other words, a UL-Certified cable is one that has been built and tested to ensure that it meets qualification standards for safety, integrity, functionality, and reliability. Meridian Cable is proud to say that we offer UL-Certified cable assemblies , wire harnesses , flat ribbon cable assemblies, and more . You can trust that when we make your cable solution, it will be crafted and vetted to the highest standards and most precise detail. With a UL certification, you can rest easy knowing that your cable solution is both capable and well-made.

Where are Meridian’s cables manufactured?

Meridian Cable has multiple facilities where we manufacture our cable solutions. Over the course of several decades, we have grown our business to be a world leader in cable manufacturing. Between our first facility in Tanggu, China to our US-based facility in St. Augustine, Florida , we supply the world with custom cable assemblies and more. In 1999, we had to make the difficult decision to close our facility in the United States. However, just a few years later, business was booming, and we were able to bring our manufacturing back to the USA. Now, in our 7,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Florida, we are able to provide jobs to our community in the areas of St. Augustine. With facilities literally around the world, we are able to deliver the perfect solution no matter where our clients need us.

Is there a warranty for flat ribbon cable assemblies?

When you purchase a custom cable solution, it likely represents a significant investment for your business. Meridian Cable stands behind every product we manufacture. Our in-house engineering team designs every cable to the most precise detail, so it is exactly what you need. Standing behind our work, we offer a complete, one-year warranty on the manufacturing and components. When you choose Meridian Cable for your flat ribbon cable solutions, your investment is well-founded. We manufacture our cables to the highest standards and hold to rigorous, UL-Certified qualifications and several internationally-recognized certifications. If that were not enough, you can always trust in our several decades-worth of experience and our outstanding team of experts. We only hire the best of the best for engineering, manufacturing, and design. We take our business seriously and expect our products to be top-notch.

Can I test my flat ribbon cable assemblies before they are mass-produced?

Certainly. As part of our stringent testing process, we can create a prototype to ensure that the solution works well for your equipment. This will give you a tangible representation of the design and the larger order that is yet to be produced. With every one of the flat ribbon cable assemblies that we manufacture, we perform intense testing, reworking, and configuring. If there is an issue with the prototype, we can go back to the drawing board and redesign a viable solution. We do this to be certain that our cables are the ideal solution and will be precisely what your equipment needs.

How does Meridian Cable assure the quality of its flat ribbon cable assemblies?

Over the past several decades, we have become proficient at designing and producing our cable solutions. With our experience in the industry, we have developed intense testing procedures to guarantee the top-notch quality of our flat ribbon cable assemblies. Each cable we produce will undergo a myriad of stress tests, manufacturing inspections, and practical functionality tests to ensure that it is upheld to UL-Certified standards . Even by the time the prototype is developed, our flat ribbon cable assemblies have been subjected to virtual testing to ensure it will function in simulations. This testing helps us ensure the design of your cable solution has the highest probability for success before we even start the physical manufacturing. We want to do everything we can to provide dependable cable solutions of the highest industry standards.

What industries use flat ribbon cable assemblies?

Because flat ribbon cables are often used in computers, their applications are virtually limitless. In our multiple decades of experience in the cable production industry, we have made flat ribbon cables for a range of businesses. We have created thousands of flat ribbon cables for the medical sector, military, telecommunications, and industrial production. One of the beauties of flat ribbon cable assemblies is that they can be found anywhere in some capacity. Their flexible design makes them a valuable cable option for every industry imaginable.

What is custom wire harness manufacturing?

Custom wire harness assembly entails creating a custom set-up of electrical wires and/or cables based on the task needed by our client. You can imagine this can run a pretty large gambit of different applications. As custom wire harness manufacturers, it is our job to fully understand the client’s needs, examine where the cable harness will be used, and consider a host other factors that determine the material types and attributes needed for the wiring harness to perform under even the harshest of conditions for years of faithful, continued service. At Meridian, we have the tools and experience to create just about any wiring harness application a client can think of. We usually produce a small number of prototypes to ensure our engineers have everything perfect for the unique application our client is intending before we move on to larger-scale production.

What are wiring harnesses used for?

Wiring harnesses are used in everything from remote control cars to jumbo jets. For example, the desktop computer you may be using currently has a myriad of different harnesses for data and power transfer, all to let you view a page like this one. Inside your vehicle are reams of cables, wires, terminals, and connectors that have to run through the entire vehicle in order to connect all the different components that allow you to simply drive from A to B. The harness itself sounds simple, but it can be rather complex when different connections, terminations, conductor sizes, sheathing, strain reliefs, and many other considerations have to come into play depending on the needs of the project. Our engineers design a complete system around the wires and cables needed to power electrical systems, transfer high speed data, and send and receive signals. If you’re ready to discuss your project’s unique requirements, talk over your options with a knowledgeable representative now .

Are there different types of wiring harnesses?

The different types of wiring harnesses is only limited by your imagination. As we continue to increase our reliance on electrical systems powering even simply devices, the engineering inside of these applications requires custom made wiring and cable harnesses to complete the intended application. Each project requires its own custom set-up in order to be designed and manufactured to be able to effectively complete the task required of it. As you can imagine, this will be quite different for a remote control car versus a fighter jet, yet each require exact engineering design in order to function. From military applications, industrial, medical, telecommunications, and almost every industry in between, we design custom wire harness solutions that work.

Are all aftermarket wiring harnesses the same?

Definitely not. Unfortunately, shoddy manufacturers abound and buying a harness from a non-reputable wiring harness supplier can put your project’s assets at serious risk of failure. At Meridian, we follow strict quality assurance/quality control procedures, use and maintain UL® standards for wiring, and are proud to have received and maintain ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality. We do all of this to ensure we remain wire harness and cable assembly manufacturers of distinction, engineering the precise solutions our clients demand, and making sure these systems are robust enough to stand up to years of use.

Where can I find custom wire harness manufacturers near me?

We strive to make sourcing cable assemblies and wiring harnesses easy. That’s why we operate two manufacturing facilities both in the U.S. and in China . We own both facilities, so we stay intimately abreast of the day-to-day operations of each. We are UL®-approved for wire harness manufacturing so you can be confident in the exact requirements of your project being met by our design staff. With two, independent facilities running around the globe, we ensure your project is completed on-time and on-budget, using the best materials and methods available in wire harness manufacturing today. So no matter where your project takes place, be confident knowing Meridian can supply all the components needed to produce a top-of-the-line custom cable harness.

What is the wire harness manufacturing process?

For any custom cable or wire harness project, our engineers and design staff first listen to our clients. By intimately understanding the “what, when, where, and how” behind the harnesses’ intended application, we can begin the manufacturing process. Often, we need to understand the electrical needs, as well as, the space constraints first and foremost and build our systems within the project’s scope concerning these dimensions. Each process is a little different for each custom harness and Meridian craftsmen have more than 5,000 tools at their disposal to get the job done. Depending on the level of precision the project calls for, we can either deploy hand tools, semi-automated machines, or fully automated machines. Even though we depend on automation to provide exact design specifications, a lot of work is still done by hand by our skilled manufacturers due to the multitude of complex steps involved. Our process engineers deploy time and money savings techniques like kanban manufacturing and just-in-time ordering to provide the very best products possible, on-time, and within our client’s budget. After we’ve figured out the ins and outs of the project’s unique manufacturing process, we usually develop a prototype for client approval and verification that it will meet their needs. Once approved, we move to larger scale production and ship our products to clients all over the world.

What is the UL® standard for wire harness manufacturers?

United Laboratories (UL) is one of only a select few corporations that have been approved by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for testing and certifying both safety and uniform functionality of wiring and cable components. By only using UL-certified components , we can ensure our products operate the same way, within known specification ranges, year in and year out. Rather than having to design a cable from scratch each time, this allows design staff to focus on other project variables such as weight strain reduction within the harness, type and size of conductors, insulation material, etc. If you don’t see that your wire harness and cable assembly manufacturers are using UL-certified wires and cables, don’t trust your integral electrical systems to a system which could fail when you need it the most.

What is the difference between a cable assembly and a wire assembly?

These often confused components are quite different and serve different purposes. A wire is either a single strand or a bundle of strands that are designed to be conductive. Wires come bare or sheathed and are usually made of copper or aluminum. Conversely, a cable has two or more conductors which are insulated which are then twisted together, usually inside of a protective outer jacket. A wire harness therefore, is the systematic support system that links wires into a cohesive unit with the necessary connections and terminations to complete the task. Think the wiring system in your automobile that requires different systems to all be linked simultaneously. While a cable assembly is similar in concept, the application is quite different and would include examples like the fairly simple cable assembly for connecting your TV and surround sound or the more complex and futuristic-looking electrode helmets used in medical brain scans.

What is ISO 9001:2015 certification?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specifies the minimum requirements that the quality assurance/quality control plans a manufacturer has to have in place in order to be certified for ISO 9001:2015 . For this system governing quality management systems, the organization needs to show that it has the ability to consistently deliver the products or services that meet both customer and regulatory requirements, as well as, show they’ve taken steps to enhance the customer’s satisfaction. This is done through demonstrating the organization has continual improvement processes in place and can showcase conformity to customer/regulatory requirements for each project undertaken. Meridian is proud to maintain this important distinction for ensuring our clients receive nothing but high-quality products.

Does Meridian offer a warranty for wire harnesses?

Meridian designs products under the strictest of quality assurance and quality control guidelines, but components do sometimes break down prematurely. We want you to be absolutely confident in your decision to use Meridian as your wire harness supplier of choice so we stand behind our products with a warranty against material defects or workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one (1) year from the original date of invoice. Depending on the situation, Meridian will either repair or replace the product.

What advantage does a coil cord have over a straight cord?

You probably didn’t think that one of the main reasons to choose a curly cord over straight is in its inherent durability. Coiled cords are meant to be able to be extended and retracted hundreds of thousands of times without breaking. This durability places them on the front lines of some really vital applications like with first responders, military, and industrial production. Next, curly cords afford a space-saving design. With the increasing complexity of today's electrical systems, space constraints require parts that can be utilized efficiently while taking up the least amount of space possible. Lastly, curly cords provide efficiency and organization in design because they can carry many different types of signal simultaneously - like power and data within the same system. This saves space in a tight environment and makes the transmission of data and/or electricity far more efficient than having multiple cables.

What’s inside of a curly cord?

At its most basic, inside a curly cord you’ll find a conductor like aluminum, copper, or a precious metal encased in a jacket that’s been spiralized to be extra-flexible and acts as an insulator and protector from the environment. Depending on the application, a variety of additional conductors, fillers, cables, and shieldings will make up the interior of the coiled cable until a cross-section looks something like a kaleidoscope .

How do you make coil cords coiled?

Each curly cord we manufacture is a little different depending on the specifications provided to us by the client and the application where the cord will be deployed. A variety of different size conductors, fillers, and other materials make up the inside of all cables. But the process for creating a coil cord has to take into account the need for flexibility, which in turn, necessitates mitigating friction within the cord and utilizing durable materials. If you’re super curious and want to see the process first hand, we’ve put together a video of a worker at our production facility in Tanggu, China hand-making a coil cord . The process for this type of coiled cord is pretty straightforward. The worker will insert a piece of rod into a special motor and then tightly secure the cord to the rod with powerful clamps. A foot pedal activates the motor which spins the rod and allows the worker to tightly wrap the cord around the rod. The wrapped rod is then sent to a special oven to be “cured”. After a short time setting in the oven you have a flexible, durable curly cord ready to stretched and retracted hundreds of thousands of times.

What are coil cords used for?

How wide is your imagination? Curly cords have a seemingly endless variety of applications. If you look around your home, you’ll probably see a dozen examples you never gave a second thought to - all made possible with the ubiquitous coiled cord. From the internal wiring for refrigerators, telephone cords, speakers, cell phone chargers, HDMI cords, and data/network cords, curly cords afford a durable space-saving solution to taming the electrical, signal, and data needs of the electronics all around us. Even in non-electrical applications, the coiled cord’s advantages are felt - think the lanyard for your name badge at work or the security devices attached to cell phones at the mall.

What are curly cords made of?

Coiled cords can be made of a wide variety of different materials depending on where and how the cord will be used. PU, PTEE, TPR, SVP and PVC are some of the more common engineered materials used in coil cord design. Meridian’s engineers also can incorporate UV inhibitors into the jacketing material if a coiled cable is destined for use outdoors. We also have the ability to use super-strong materials like Kevlar and steel if a cord needs a special blend of flexibility and extra strength or cut-resistance built in. Cords can be engineered to resist friction, caustic chemicals, ozone, moisture, and just about anything else mother nature can throw at it. Coiled cords are engineered to the exact specifications needed for the application and the environment. Our brilliant design team builds coiled cables from the inside out, carefully choosing conductors, wires, cables, insulators, fillers, and sheathings to match our client’s needs.

How do you test curly cords for strength and durability?

At Meridian , we take quality seriously. Our ongoing commitment to Quality Assurance and Quality Control is what’s earned us ISO 9001:2015 certification. To test our components we use automated testing machines and sometimes even have to create custom machines from scratch when the product is one-of-a-kind. Curly cords need to be stretched and retracted hundreds of thousands of times without breaking, so that’s exactly what we during product trials. For some cords, if they don’t last 500,000 extensions/retraction cycles, it’s back to the drawing board. We’ll usually create a few different iterations of a coiled cable design, utilizing different materials so we can test the products simultaneously to see which perform most inline with our client’s design parameters. For one tricky medical application , we ended up creating 14 different prototypes to test which combination would meet a tough set of parameters.

Can coiled cords be fitted with different connectors?

Absolutely. One of Meridian’s greatest strengths lie in its ability to scale production with incredibly short lead times and some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry. With this, we rarely go into full-production without creating small batches of prototypes for testing and QA/QC. Depending on the project, we’ll fit a coiled cable with a myriad of different connectors to perfectly suit its intended application - some connectors may be used for hooking up to signal, power, or even high-speed data sources. Each product that rolls off the assembly line is tested to ensure the end-user can quickly and easily integrate the product in their overall system.

What is a coiled cord’s retracted length and why does this matter?

The retracted length is how long the curly cord is when not extended. This is important for both form and function. If a police officer’s radio cord were too long when not in use, it would get in the way of everything he tried to do; however, it also needs to have the appropriate extension link to be able to be used properly. In a medical setting, the length can help determine how much strain the cord has on each end of the connection. For specific applications, this strain may need to be minimalized by cord’s length and design. At Meridian , we can create coiled cords with a retracted length as short as two inches to as long as four feet or more.

Does Meridian make custom coiled cables?

Absolutely, engineering custom coil cords, cable assemblies, molded components, and wiring harnesses is all we’ve done for nearly 30 years. Inhouse, we produce more than 70% of the components of every product that we sell. While we use UL-certified cables and wires, our design staff can tweak each component of an assembly to meet the exact specifications needed for the project, all while maintaining UL-certification on the final product. Our engineers love solving our clients’ complex problems. If you have a seemingly-impossible set of design parameters, bring them our way and let our team create the perfect custom coiled cable to meet your needs.

What advantage is there in using a custom coil cord manufacturer over an off-the-shelf product?

The best advantage we bring to clients is lower overall cost. Our custom designs usually save our clients money in the long run because it helps cut sourcing costs, production time, and reduces the chances for defects. By utilizing an established custom coil cord manufacturer like Meridian , you get the exact product to meet your project’s specifications instead of trying to figure out how to implement a generic, mass-produced, one-size-fits-all design into your system. Having a custom cable manufacturer means your project receives a manufacturing schedule so you know exactly when the product will be ready to be utilized and can allocate resources accordingly. Finally, by using UL-certified wires and cables and instituting a rigorous QA/QC process, our clients know that each product that rolls off our lines has been tested and retested for continuity, integrity, polarity, and functionality — reducing downtime and what can be incredible costs therein from a failed component.

Products Archives - Meridian Cable

Custom Wiring and Cable Harnesses

By budkinzalow | September 26, 2024

Meridian Cable specializes in custom wiring and custom cable harnesses to supply all of your connection needs. Since 1994, we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating high-quality connective solutions on a global scale. Our team creates magic with every project we develop. Of course, it’s really more science than magic, and that’s where our engineering team truly…

Semi-Rigid Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | September 4, 2024

Leading Custom Cable Manufacturer | Meridian Cable

Since 1994, Meridian Cable has been committed to designing and developing high-quality custom cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and more. Our state-of-the-art production facilities leverage the latest technology, cutting-edge engineering, and rigorous quality assurance practices to provide our customers with innovative and reliable connection solutions. Our team is here to ensure that semi-rigid cable assemblies meet your unique operating needs.…

Custom Molex Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | February 8, 2023

Building custom Molex cable assemblies requires attention to detail and a commitment to quality. At Meridian Cable, we design and manufacture Molex cable assemblies to the most precise detail. Our design team works directly with you to create the ideal cable solution for your project. As a leading cable manufacturer in the world, we have…

Custom Coaxial Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | January 3, 2023

Over the last 25 years, Meridian Cable has been a leading provider of custom cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and more. Our commitment to quality and high-end materials makes our cables superior to an off-the-shelf cable solution. We apply these standards to everything we do, including our custom coaxial cable assemblies. We pay attention to ultra-fine…

RF Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | December 13, 2022

One thing is sure when creating top-notch, UL-certified RF cable assemblies: attention to the smallest details matters. For over 25 years, Meridian Cable has been committed to quality manufacturing standards and to attending to the finest details. We’ve got some of the most brilliant minds in the industry on our in-house engineering team to help…

Custom Shielded Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | August 1, 2022

Custom cable assemblies that are used to transmit data are especially vulnerable to interference from heavily electronic environments. It is essential to protect cable assemblies from electromagnetic interference (EMI) through the use of shielded cable assemblies. Shielded cable assemblies are used in a number of different fields and can be extremely useful in protecting data.…

SMA Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | May 22, 2020

Meridian Cable designs and produces custom SMA connector cable assemblies for the exacting standards of industries like the Health and Medical fields and the Military. With decades of experience as a custom cable assembly and wire harness manufacturer, we’re able to bring your project from the very first design concept all the way through volume…

Flat Ribbon Cable Assemblies

By budkinzalow | November 18, 2015

One of the many customizable cable assemblies that Meridian Cable manufactures are flat ribbon cable assemblies. Flat ribbon cable assemblies are extremely useful cable groupings that are both efficient and cost-effective. Found in many forms of devices, flat ribbon cable assemblies are versatile and capable. Also known as flat cable assemblies, planar assemblies, and flat…

Custom Wire Harness

By budkinzalow | May 27, 2015

Custom Wire Harness Manufacturer – It’s Who We Are Wiring harnesses are the crucial workhorses of our modern, connected society. These marvels of advanced engineering require many hours of precise design, production, and testing in order to provide our clients with a solution that works—no matter what. At Meridian, high-quality, custom wire harness assemblies is…

Custom Coil Cord Manufacturer

By budkinzalow | May 31, 2013

Meridian Cable has the capabilities to custom design, extrude and manufacture all types of coil cords or coiled cables. This includes coil cords with retracted lengths from 2 inches to 4 feet, in diameters from 1/3 of an inch to 5 inches, and with conductor ranges from 10 to 34 gauge. Because we extrude our…