Wire Rope Shank Ball End Fittings
Wire rope ball end fittings, also known as shank balls, anchor cable assemblies at fixed or intermediate points and must be rotary swaged for a permanent, high-integrity connection.
Ball and shank ball fittings can anchor an assembly at any intermediate point along a wire rope. To provide optimal strength and spherical dimensions, ball and shank ball fittings must be rotary swaged to the cable.
Shank balls are wire rope end fittings used to anchor or locate a cable assembly at a specific point along the wire rope. These fittings can be installed at an intermediate position on the cable and are commonly used when a ball-style stop, anchor point, or retention feature is needed within a custom wire rope or aircraft cable assembly.
Lexco Cable offers single shank balls, double shank balls, stainless steel shank balls, zinc plated steel shank balls, and ball shanks for a variety of cable assembly applications. To help achieve proper strength and spherical dimensions, ball and shank ball fittings must be rotary swaged to the cable. These fittings are commonly used in aircraft cable assemblies, control cables, OEM cable systems, and industrial wire rope applications where precise cable positioning or anchoring is required.
Wire Rope Ball End Fittings for OEM & Industrial Applications
Lexco supplies wire rope ball end fittings for OEM manufacturers, structural systems, and industrial applications requiring secure anchoring and consistent load transfer. Each shank ball is selected or manufactured based on cable diameter, load requirements, and environmental conditions.
Available in stainless steel and zinc-plated steel, these fittings are suitable for both corrosion-resistant and general-purpose applications. Lexco also provides fully assembled cable systems with ball ends installed for improved consistency and reduced installation time.
Applications for Wire Rope Ball End Fittings
Wire rope ball ends are commonly used in applications requiring fixed positioning, anchoring, or controlled movement along a cable.
- Architectural Cable Systems: Clean, integrated anchoring points for tensioned structures
- Safety Cable Systems: Secure stops and load-bearing anchor points
- Industrial Equipment: Cable positioning and mechanical stop applications
- Aerospace & Military Assemblies: Precision fittings meeting strict performance standards
- Custom Cable Assemblies: OEM systems requiring repeatable and consistent termination points
Their ability to anchor at intermediate points makes them especially useful in systems where movement or spacing must be controlled.
Why Use Wire Rope Ball Ends Instead of Stops or Sleeves
While stops and sleeves can provide basic positioning along a cable, wire rope ball end fittings offer a more robust and precise solution.
- Higher strength and load-bearing capability
- More precise positioning and consistent geometry
- Improved durability under repeated load conditions
- Cleaner integration into engineered systems
For applications requiring reliability and structural performance, ball end fittings are often preferred over basic cable stops.
