[Milsurplus] Cable lacing

[Don Davis]

Have to be a bit careful about "NASA" soldering and construction techniques.
Lots of NASA ground equipment uses lacing tape, etc., where it might not be
used in space, and there are lots of specifications for each (ground & space
equipment).  We haven't used lacing tape in space applications since at
least 1979 (when I began working in aerospace) at my company.  Wire bundles
inside assys are typically held together by use of non-organic epoxies to
spot bond the bundle.  Externally they are typically wrapped with mylar tape
or other material.  Lacing tape might be used by some compaines in space,
but would not contain any organics.  Might look like "old" lacing tape but
would not be waxed, nor made of linen or flax - have to look at the NASA or
MIL spec to see what the materials are.  Teflon wiring is usually avoided in
space due to charging and other bad effects when exposed to certain
environments and phenomena encountered in space.  The name of the material
commonly used escapes me at the momnet, but it is similar to Polyolefin type
tubing.

When I get back to work I will look up the current specs and relate to the
group if interested.

73s

Don  AD6PB

Joe says:

> I have a NASA booklet "Soldering Electrical Connections", dated 1967,
> which contains a section on cable lacing. They state "the materials
> commonly used for continous lacing are lacing tape, cord or small
> diameter tubing", the various illistrations show the lacing done with a
> flt black tape.