Cable is a fundamental structural element in design and engineering, consisting of multiple strands of material, typically metal wires or fiber, twisted or braided together to create a stronger, more flexible unit capable of transmitting forces, signals, or power. In architectural and industrial design applications, cables serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, playing crucial roles in suspension bridges, tensile structures, and various mechanical systems where force transmission is essential. The evolution of cable design has significantly influenced modern architecture and industrial design, enabling the creation of innovative structural solutions that combine strength with visual lightness. In contemporary design practice, cables are integral components in various applications, from power transmission and data communication to architectural support systems and decorative elements. The design considerations for cables encompass multiple factors including load-bearing capacity, flexibility requirements, environmental resistance, and aesthetic integration within the overall design scheme. The development of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques has led to enhanced cable performance characteristics, allowing designers to push the boundaries of what's possible in structural and functional applications. Cables have become particularly significant in sustainable design practices, where their efficient use of materials and ability to create lightweight structures contributes to reduced environmental impact. The A' Design Award competition frequently recognizes innovative applications of cable systems in various categories, particularly in architectural and industrial design projects where cables serve both structural and aesthetic functions. The versatility of cables in design is further demonstrated through their application in lighting fixtures, furniture design, and interactive installations, where they can be exposed as deliberate design elements or concealed for purely functional purposes.
structural support, force transmission, tensile strength, flexibility, durability, load distribution, aesthetic integration, material efficiency
Cable is a versatile and essential component of modern technology, used to transmit information and power between devices and systems. While cable has been used for centuries in the form of ropes and cords, its modern usage has expanded to include a wide range of materials, designs, and applications. One important aspect of cable technology is its ability to transmit signals without interference, which is achieved through the use of shielding and other protective measures. Another key aspect of cable technology is its ability to transmit power over long distances, which is essential for many industrial and commercial applications. This requires cables that are designed to withstand high voltages and currents, as well as environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibration. In addition to power transmission, cable is also used for data transmission, including in telecommunications, computer networking, and other digital systems. Cable technology is constantly evolving, with new materials, designs, and applications being developed to meet the changing needs of various industries. For example, fiber optic cables are becoming increasingly popular for high-speed data transmission, while wireless technology is reducing the need for physical cables in some applications. Despite these advances, however, cable remains a crucial component of many systems, and its importance is only likely to grow in the years ahead.
robotics, power transmission, data transmission, shielding, fiber optic cables
Cable is a type of wiring that is used for the purpose of transmitting signals and electrical power. It typically consists of one or more conductors encased in a protective sheath. Cables are commonly used to connect devices such as computers, televisions, telephones and other electronic equipment. They are also used to carry electrical power from a power source to other devices. Cables are commonly used in many industrial applications, including aerospace, automotive and marine industries. The type of cable used in each application depends on the intended use, the environment and the electrical requirements for the system. Cable is typically composed of a variety of materials, including copper, aluminum, steel, lead, glass and other insulation materials. Cable is typically rated based on its electrical properties and its ability to withstand environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure, vibration and corrosion.
Conductors, insulation, sheath, voltage, current.
CITATION : "Richard Walker. 'Cable.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=247501 (Accessed on June 08, 2025)"
Cable is a word that has a specific meaning in English, referring to a length of flexible insulated electrical wire, used to transmit electrical signals or power. It can also refer to other metal components or structures composed of metal, such as a deck railing, or a metal-clad insulated electrical conductor. In other languages, many equivalent words for the English word “Cable” exist, such as El Cable (Spanish), Aderkabel (Dutch), Le fil (French), Il Cavo (Italian), Kabel (German), ਕੇਬਲ (Punjabi), เชือก (Thai), 케이블 (Korean), Kabelo (Sotho), O Cabo (Portuguese), Kanal (Swedish), կապիլ (Armenian), ਕੈਬਲ (Gurmukhi), Caibal (Irish Gaelic), Kabir (Malayalam), ووك (Arabic), கேபிள் (Tamil), 电缆 (Chinese), কেবল (Bengali), Кабель (Russian), કેબલ (Gujarati), and ਕੈਬੱਲ (Farsi).
electrical wire, metal components, deck railing, electrical conductor, El Cable, Aderkabel, Le fil, Il Cavo, Kabel, ਕੇਬਲ, เชือก, 케이블, Kabelo, O Cabo, Kanal, կապիլ, ਕੈਬਲ, Caibal, Kabir, ووك, கேபிள், 电缆, কেবল, Кабель, કેબલ, ਕੈਬੱਲ
Cable is a noun. It is a type of thick, strong rope, or an insulated electric wire or cord, used to suspend weights or transmit power, or to connect communications or data systems. Synonyms for cable include rope, cord, hawser, wire and lead. Antonyms include disconnect, sever, split and divide. Cognates for cable include the Dutch word, kabel and the French word, câble. Variants of the word cable include cabels, cablings, cabling, cablied and cabling.
Morphology, syntax, historical linguistics, semantic change, comparative linguistics, cognate, Indo-European, loanword.
The English word cable has experienced a long history of evolution before reaching its modern usage. It is derived from the Latin word capulum, which means rope and has roots in two different Latin verbs: capere (to take) and ducere (to draw). This can be observed in a literal sense, in which a cable is created from the tying together of several strands of rope or wire. Over time, the word cable has also come to refer to various types of technological cords, such as those connecting computers, televisions, and other electronic devices. The morphology of cable has changed over time as well; in contemporary English, the singular form of the word is cable, while the plural is cables. In terms of pragmatics, cable may be used to refer to the object itself or its function, as in the case of ordering a cable to be installed in one's home.
Etymology, Morphology, History, Semantics, Pragmatics
Cable is an integral part of robotics and automation technologies. It is used to connect one electronic system to another, to send and receive information signals, and to transfer power. The most common types of cable used in robotics and automation are shielded cables, flexible cables, and robotic cables. Shielded cables are designed to shield data and signals from electromagnetic interference while flexible cables are designed to facilitate the robotic arm’s movement. Robotic cables are designed to keep the robots connected and protected.
Robotics, automation, cable, shielded, flexible, robotic.
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