Custom Cable Reels with Alpha Slip Rings for Marine and Military Applications

At UEA, we are proud to own Alpha Slip Rings, a brand known for delivering top-notch integrated slip ring and cable reel systems. Recently, Alpha Slip Rings customized two such systems to meet the specific needs of distinct applications.

The first project was for a marine client requiring a cable reel for an in-situ vertical profiling plankton camera used in scientific fisheries research. The system included a slip ring with 2 electrical passes and 1 single mode fiber, coupled with a 300-foot cable of 0.25-inch diameter. This cable housed a single mode fiber and 2 electrical conductors. The powder-coated steel reel featured a motor and speed controller, tailored perfectly to the client’s needs.

The second cable reel system was for a military application involving a tethered drone launched from a truck to monitor convoy threats. This cable reel, similar to the marine research system, had significant differences: it required 10 amps and 380 volts instead of 5 amps and included a single mode fiber. The client provided the 300-foot cable, and requested the controller be mounted on 30 feet of wire for remote placement, likely inside the truck.

At UEA, when a company presents a challenge, we deliver a solution that meets their specific needs. For these unique applications, we designed custom cable reel systems with Alpha Slip Rings that met our clients’ exact specifications.