Precision applications require precise materials, and tungsten wire rope is an ideal high-strength robot cable for precision applications. For decades, stainless steel has been the preferred metal for manufacturers who require elastic and corrosion-resistant materials, especially in humid environments. Stainless steel has high tensile strength and cost-effectiveness, making it the perfect choice for wires and cables that must withstand extremely harsh environments and working conditions. Stainless steel is valuable because it is durable and maintains its integrity.
However, tungsten wire has become a darling of the surgical robot industry.

Tungsten wire and its properties

Due to the characteristics of tungsten wire rope, stainless steel can do everything, and tungsten can do better (mostly).

The melting point of tungsten is 6192 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the highest among all known metals. On the other hand, stainless steel melts at 2750 degrees Fahrenheit and anneals at 1900 degrees Fahrenheit.

The tensile strength of tungsten is superior to that of stainless steel. In the mechanical cable industry, it is common to increase the tensile strength of tungsten by 25% due to its equivalent diameter in the structure.

In terms of wear resistance, tungsten is also superior to stainless steel. Due to its structure, tungsten has a longer actual lifespan, especially when applied to cable components or circulated on pulleys. Cables made of tungsten wire are more likely to be used for a long time than products made of stainless steel. Tungsten has incredible qualities in terms of lifespan, resistance, and strength, making it an ideal choice for surgical robots.

Why is tungsten very suitable for surgical robots?

Due to the above quality, tungsten is very suitable for medical equipment applications. Surgical robots are expensive high-end devices that simulate the movements of surgeons' hands. These robots rely on actuators to repeatedly open and close finger like attachments during operation.

The cable components used internally in surgical robots require materials with high reliability. Although heat resistance is not an important characteristic for surgical robots, tensile strength, extremely high flexibility, and wear resistance are essential for micro cable components that require long-term high reliability.

What are the chain requirements for surgical applications

In a single surgery, surgical tungsten cables need to perform 1000 cycles as they provide power for the actuators responsible for completing the complex and agile actions required for the surgery.
Tungsten cables are made of tungsten wire, which involves winding multiple thin wires or filaments together to form larger cable strands. Then wrap these strands together to form a complete mechanical cable. Due to the need for this soft internal mechanical structure for surgical robots, the tungsten cables involved can be composed of up to 700 wires with a diameter as small as 0.0005 inches. Tungsten cable structures can use more complex configurations such as 7x37, 19x19, and 19x37 to increase their flexibility and durability.

●    Tungsten is a stronger and more versatile material than stainless steel
●    The ultimate tensile strength of tungsten is much higher than that of stainless steel
●    Tungsten has high melting point, abrasion resistance, and extremely strong flexibility
●    Due to its quality, tungsten wire is commonly used in surgical robots
●    Surgical cables require a material that can be reused thousands of times and has high reliability