Double shank cable rod ends are used extensively in the aviation industry. Many airplanes and other types of aircraft feature control cables. These heavy-duty metal cables link yokes and pedals to adjustable flight surfaces, such as ailerons and elevators. When pilots move the yoke or press a pedal, a control cable will engage the respective flight surface. Control cables, however, are often feature fittings, such as double shank cable rod ends.
What Are Double Shank Cable Rod Ends?
Also known as double shank swage fittings, double shank cable rod ends are fittings for control cables. They are designed to terminate the ends of control cables while simultaneously creating a secure point of attachment for other cables or hardware.
How Double Shank Cable Rod Ends Work
There are different styles of double shank cable rod ends, but most of them work in a similar way. They are known as “double shank cable rod ends” because they feature two shanks. They have a ball in the center with a cylindrical shank on both ends.
You can use a double shank cable rod end by swaging or crimping it onto cables. Each shank supports a cable end. Start by sliding the end of a cable into one of the two shanks. Next, swage or crimp the shank over the cable end. Swaging or crimping will terminate the cable.
Some double shank cable rod ends are designed to be swaged, whereas others can be crimped. Regardless, swaging or crimping will partially collapse the shank so that the cable end remains securely attached.
Reasons to Use Double Shank Cable Rod Ends
You can use double shank cable rod ends to extend the length of control cables. They don’t necessarily make control cables longer. Rather, double shank cable rod ends support the attachment of a second control cable. If a particular control cable is too short for a given application, you can terminate it with a double shank cable rod end. You can then install another control cable on this fitting.
Many double shank cable rod ends allow pivoting. You can install a linkage pin or bolt to one of the shanks. Once installed, the double shank cable rod end can pivot or swivel around the linkage pin or bolt. Neither the shanks nor the control cable can move independently of each other. The linkage pin or bolt, though, creates a pivot point.
