Selection guide
How to Choose a Wire Cutting and Stripping Machine
Select a wire cutting and stripping machine by conductor size, cable construction, strip geometry, length tolerance, batch size and downstream process.
Engineering review: 2026-08-28
A cutting-and-stripping machine is selected by the finished process, not by wire size alone. Two cables with the same conductor area may need different feed systems, blades and stripping motions because one has soft PVC insulation while the other has a braided shield, a multicore jacket or a stiff high-voltage wall.
Start with a complete material definition
Record these facts before comparing machines:
| Input | Why it changes the machine |
|---|---|
| Conductor area in AWG or mm² | Indicates conductor size and approximate cutting force |
| Finished cable outside diameter | Determines guide, roller and blade clearance |
| Cable construction | Single-core, multicore, flat, coaxial, shielded and corrugated cables strip differently |
| Insulation and jacket material | PVC, XLPE, silicone, PTFE and textile braid have different friction and separation behavior |
| Cut length and tolerance | Long leads, very short jumpers and tight length control need different feed layouts |
| Front and rear strip geometry | Full strip, half strip, multi-step strip and middle strip are separate functions |
| Batch size and change frequency | Determines whether fast changeover or maximum output matters more |
If drawings use AWG while the machine specification uses conductor area, use the AWG to mm² conversion table as a starting point. Do not use the converted value as a substitute for measuring the insulated cable diameter.
Match the architecture to the cable
Ordinary single-core wire
For regular electronic and control-panel wire, a programmable feed-and-blade machine is usually the first option. The WM-167 benchtop cutting and stripping machine is representative of this class: compact, suited to repeated cut lengths and easier to change between small batches than a dedicated production line.
Long leads
Long wire magnifies feed slip and floor-handling problems. A machine such as the WM-191 long-wire cutting and stripping machine uses a layout intended for long material. Confirm not only maximum programmed length but also how the finished lead will be received without tangling.
Large and high-voltage cable
Large cable needs adequate cutting force, stable support and a stripping method that does not damage the conductor or shield. The WM-193 rotary-knife large-cable stripper represents the rotary approach. For EV harness work, review the complete EV wire harness equipment sequence because stripping is only one station in the process.
Coaxial and layered cable
Do not treat coaxial cable as ordinary insulated wire. Each concentric layer needs its own diameter and length. For short coax jumpers, the WM-2506D automatic cutting and multi-layer stripping machine combines cut-to-length and end preparation. The coax cable assembly guide shows where braid preparation, termination and testing follow.
Use a decision sequence, not a product title
- Eliminate machines whose dimensional range does not cover the actual cable.
- Confirm the required process exists: middle stripping, multi-layer stripping and partial pull-off are not assumed features.
- Compare feeding method against surface condition and cable stiffness.
- Check whether front and rear end geometry can be programmed independently.
- Calculate output using the intended cut length and handling method, not a headline maximum.
- Run the physical cable and inspect every relevant layer.
What to inspect in the trial
The trial should record cut length, exposed conductor length, conductor nicks, incomplete insulation removal and feed marks. For shielded cable, inspect braid and foil under magnification. A short clean-looking sample is not enough when the production order is long: run enough pieces to expose feed drift, blade contamination and material variation.
Wiromac publishes documented factory trials in the application case library only after the material, configuration, measured result and acceptance evidence are complete. For a new cable, send the drawing and sample requirement so the machine can be configured around the actual construction.
Questions engineers ask
What information is needed to select a wire cutting and stripping machine?
Provide the complete cable specification, conductor area, finished outside diameter, layer construction, cut length, strip geometry at both ends, tolerance, target output and a physical sample. Conductor area alone is not enough for a machine that grips the insulation.
Should machine range be selected by AWG, mm² or cable outside diameter?
Use conductor area for electrical size and cutting force, but also provide finished outside diameter and construction because feed rollers and blades contact the insulation. Coaxial, shielded and multicore cables must be evaluated by layer construction as well.
Why is a sample trial necessary when the cable fits the published range?
Published range proves dimensional eligibility, not clean separation. Insulation hardness, conductor lay, shield density, ovality and friction can change feeding and stripping behavior, so the actual cable should be tested before configuration approval.