Build protective cages with tube connectors and end caps!

The underwater photography championships took place in Cuba this month, at Los Canarreos , an archipelago located over one hundred and seventy kilometres from Havana.

The underwater photography championships took place in Cuba this month, at Los Canarreos , an archipelago located over one hundred and seventy kilometres from Havana. Teams from all over the world participated, entering a number of categories.  Teams from Spain and Italy dominated this year’s finalists; however it’s the equipment underwater photographer’s use that caught my interest.

Underwater photography began as far back as 1856 when an image was taken using a camera on a pole by William Thompson, since then the creative art has rapidly developed, with most recent inventions being underwater stainless steel cages to protect the camera and scuba diver from our most viscous predators! The sight of these metallic cages can bring the irrational fear into the hearts of many; mainly thanks to Spielberg’s film Jaws! However the construction of these cages utilises stainless steel tube, tube connectors, plastic end caps and spot welding. Most recently our heavy duty tubeconnectors have been used to manufacture steel cages and supports for underwater cameras. These camera cages protect the expensive cameras that intrepid divers point at the number one predators.  Divers spend huge amounts of money on their underwater cameras, and perhaps point them a little too close to our underwater sharks.  In order to protect them a British company has invented a camera cage, utilising stainless steel tube, tube connectors and a range of end caps.

Tube connectors are an ideal way of connecting two or more sections of steel tubing. With a range of options available on the market, the strongest tube connectors have an inner steel core, surrounded by a heavy duty plastic coating. They are designed to slot into the hollow tube, and allow a water tight snug fit between connecting steelwork. With tube connectors you have the opportunity to connect both straight joints and corner joints.  The idea for camera cages was developed from the cctv industry, where cameras are protected on walls by a mesh and steel cages.

So that’s the camera protected, what about the diver I hear you ask? Shark proof cages for scuba divers were first developed in 1979, and since then many cages are used in tourist destination spots all over the globe. These stainless steel cages, connected by tube connectors and welding are ideal for protecting the diver. Many however are against the use of such cages, as it involves shark baiting to entice the animals towards the cage. Some theorise that this then develops a Pavlovian response as sharks attack humans in the anticipation for food and bait.

Protective cages are not just for marine equipment, their applications are more widespread, in warehouses, building sites, and the use of heavy duty tube connectors to manufactures this protective cage is widespread. The most recent interesting use of heavy duty tube connectors was in the manufacture of a large fish tank frame to house a huge aquarium. So from land to sea, there are a large number of applications suitable for tube connectors, and end caps.