Pyrotechnic Cable Cutter
Product Description
A pyrotechnic cable cutter uses an initiator to activate a blade and anvil to sever the toughest of cables or wires with precision on command. They are designed to cut both solid and multiple stranded cables or wire within 20 milliseconds of initiation. One variant of this device severs a solid 0.033” diameter stainless steel spring wire in less than 20 milliseconds.
Utilizing gas generators and precision engineered components, our range of electrically initiated cable cutters are designed to be compact and exceptionally reliable. Capable of cutting braided steel wire, armored electrical cabling, including Kevlar, aramid and glass fiber cords. Made from stainless steel, the cutters are suitable for use in almost every environment. They are corrosion resistant and hermetically sealed so can be used underwater and have been tested to depths of 30m underwater.
Download Pyrotechnic Cable Cutter Datasheet
Key Features
How does a Pyrotechnic Cable Cutter Work?
Upon initiation, a pressure cartridge (fully confined inside) produces gas pressure breaking a shear pin, which then drives the cutting blade down the shaft to forcibly slice the cable (or cables) and then is stopped against the anvil. In a matter of milliseconds the target material is instantaneously severed and released. Time from input of firing energy to completely severing the cables is on the order of several milliseconds.
Applications
Capable of severing high strength Stainless Steel cables to release payloads in emergency applications, such as in Search & Rescue effort, they are also used as winch cutters for fire bottles / extinguishers on aircraft.
Functions
The pyro cable cutter is used for mission critical applications where a reliable severance device is utilized to sever and release the target materials.
Specifications
- Operating Temperature
-54°C to +71°C (-65.2°F to 159.8°F) - Function Time
With the application of the All-Fire current, the cutter will completely sever the target in < 20 milliseconds - Reliability
99% at 95% confidence level - Altitude
10,000 feet underwater to Deep Space - Estimated Weight
27 to 173 grams - Target Materials
Cables ranging from 1/16 to 1.0 inch diameter - Applicable Specifications
MIL-DTL-23659
MIL- STD-1512
MIL-STD-1576
MIL-HDBK-83578 - Electrical
Bridgewire Resistance 0.9 to 1.30 ohms
Insulation Resistance 100 megohms 500 VDC
No Fire 1 amp/ 1 Watt for 5 Minutes
Recommended All Fire 4.0 Amps for 50 millisecond duration
ESD 25KV Electrostatic discharge: 25 kV DC from 500 pF Cap thru a 5k ohm resistor – shorted pins to case and pin-to-pin
Electrical connections can be lead wire, bayonet or threaded connectors
Interface
Envelope/Interface Design
For Pyrotechnic Cable Cutters the energetic loading, blade geometry, anvil geometry, and structural materials are all variable based on target and application requirements. Each blade is optimized for the intended target material to ensure precision severance.
Specification Questions
Questions to Consider
- Application – what are you trying to accomplish?
- What are your target materials?
- What are your space constraints?
- Is containment required?
- Redundancy requirements?
- Input power requirements – electrical, ETL, mechanical?
- Environmental requirements?
- Qualification requirements?
- Military or other requirements?
FAQ's
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What is a cable cutter?
A pyrotechnic cable cutter is designed to cut both solid and multiple stranded wire within 20 milliseconds of initiation. The cutter uses an initiator to activate a blade and anvil to sever the toughest of cables or wires with precision on command.
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What are cable cutters used for?
The pyro cable cutter is used for mission critical applications where a reliable severance device is utilized to sever and release the target materials.
