Payout Tubes
All REELEX packages require a payout tube. The purpose of the payout tube is to ensure that each twist in the coil is resolved inside the package prior to existing the coil so as to result in smooth, twist-free payout. Payout tubes also serve to prevent the coil from rotating inside the package. If a payout tube is not used, some loops of the coil would exit the package resulting in twists and possible tangles.
In 2008 alone, we shipped over 8 million payout tubes, and are the supplier to over 100 wire and cable manufacturers around the globe. Tubes are inventoried and shipped from our facility in Patterson, NY or can be drop-shipped from our plastic suppliers or from our sales representatives in Europe and Asia.
Tubes for REELEX "I" (EZ-Tubes) and REELEX II packages may be purchased directly from REELEX Packaging Solutions. Please contact us to set up an account or receive a quote on all packaging materials.
Introducing the REELEX II Paper Fiber Tube
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| Material | Recycling and Disposal | Performance | Availability and Pricing |
| Up to 70% Post-Consumer Recycled Kraft, 30% Post-Consumer Recycled Newsprint | Can be placed in same container as other paper/cardboard recycling (including empty REELEX boxes). Will biodegrade in 2-3 months depending on conditions. |
Payout performance is equal to, or better than existing REELEX II tubes. | 2Q, 2010 - Contact us for more information. Pricing is expected to be equal to the MP60. |
REELEX has always led the way in eco-friendly wire and cable packaging, as over 80% percent of the complete paperboard box package is compostable and can be manufactured from renewable resources. However, REELEX payout tubes have always been made from plastic; a recyclable, but not compostable material.
Introducing a REELEX II® tube made from the same substance as the rest of the package: paper fiber. This new fiber tube is manufactured using a thermoformed pulp process typically used for fabricating secondary packaging. This process was chosen based on its ability to produce dimensionally precise, durable products that can be produced cheaply and efficiently.
And because thermoformed pulp uses a renewable, organic resource (wood pulp), and fits into an existing globally-accepted recycling program, it is one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective processes available. As a result, raw materials are plentiful, cheap, and sustainable.
The new fiber tube functions identically as the existing REELEX II plastic tube, with some minor improvements. The high-density, high-pressure thermoform press and combination of post-consumer newsprint and kraft fibers result in a tube that is extremely strong and resistant to breaking. Moisture resistance tests reveal the new tube to be highly resilient in wet and humid conditions, as the tube maintains structure and payout performance even when saturated with water.
The new tubes can be used in all REELEX II applications with no changes required on most REELEX coiling machines. For D-2000 operators, a tube inserter upgrade kit is available.
When combining the typical paperboard box REELEX package with the new fiber tube, the entire REELEX package becomes the only disposable, end-user packaging for wire, cable and fiber optics that is 100% recyclable, 100% compostable and made entirely from renewable, post-consumer materials.
REELEX I - The EZ-Tube®
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The patented EZ-Tube has been in use for decades and is designed for REELEX "I" packages. Every EZ-Tube includes a locking ring which snaps onto the outside end of the tube and fastens it securely to the cardboard wall of the package.
EZ-Tubes replace the old or "traditional" REELEX tubes which featured a twist-lock assembly system. These tubes were secured to the wall of the box by twisting and locking the tube in a specially designed hole in the package. The “610 Tube” is the last traditional tube currently in production and is used for stiffer products such as coaxial cables. The "610" tube has largely been replaced by REELEX II packages.
The EZ-Tube improves on the twist-lock tube design in both ruggedness, ease of assembly, and cost. Whereas the twist-lock traditional tubes could sometimes pull through the wall of the cardboard or fall out, the EZ-Tube design locks securely to the package and is far more durable.
For some products, a Sherguide® can be attached to the inside end of the tube to increase the bending radius and smooth dispensing. Sherguides are commonly used for UTP products that have uneven jackets. While Sherguides can assist in the payout of some products, many manufacturers have replaced the EZ-Tube/Sherguide system with REELEX II packaging, as REELEX II improves payout of all products requiring Sherguides.
For more information on tube assembly and REELEX "I" packaging, please follow the link below or download the REELEX Packaging Guide:
Specifications and Part Numbers
| Part Number: | Length x Inner Opening Diameter: |
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| EZ-Tubes: | |
| TUBE-EZ-275-W | 2" (50mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-375-W | 3” (76mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-475-W | 4" (101mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-475TO- W | 4" (101mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-575-W | 5" (127mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-575TO-W | 5” (127mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-675-W | 6" (152mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| TUBE-EZ-675TO-W | 6” (152mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
| Traditional Tubes: | |
| TUBEX-610-W | 6” (152mm) x 1" (25mm) |
| Sherguides: | |
| SHER-075LDPE-W | 1" (25mm) x 3/4" (19mm) |
REELEX II® Tubes
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REELEX II is a term which incorporates both the tube design and the coiling process itself. REELEX II coils are made by creating a much larger payout hole in the coil and thus require a larger diameter tube. This winding method was developed in 1999 to improve payout performance of stiffer products by allowing residual twists and kinks in the cable to dispense easily.
Today REELEX II is the most commonly used REELEX package, as it vastly improves payout performance of all products with minimal sacrifice in package size.
Two styles of REELEX II tubes are available. The Diamond-Shaped tubes were initially developed to match the shape of the hole in the REELEX coil, but have largely been replaced by the Round design. The Round REELEX II tube is cheaper, features improved payout and has been found to be as easy for operators to insert into the coil.
Typically made from recyclable PVC plastic, the REELEX II round tube is now available in post-consumer paper fiber. The new Fiber Tube is made entirely from sustainable, recyclable and post-consumer materials and allows the entire REELEX package to be 100% biodegradable.
Specifications and Part Numbers
| Part Number: | Length x Inner Opening Diameter: |
|---|---|
| Diamond: | |
| TUBEX-MP50 | 5” (127mm) x 2.5” (63mm) |
| TUBEX-MP60 | 6” (152mm) x 2.5” (63mm) |
| Round: | |
| TUBEX-MP50-TWR | 5” (127mm) x 2.5” (63mm) |
| TUBEX-MP60-TWR | 6” (152mm) x 2.5” (63mm) |
| Paper Fiber Round: | |
| TUBEX-RF60 | 6” (127mm) x 1.825” (46mm) |