A review of techniques for modeling flexible cables

Designing the layouts and simulating the assembly of cables are based on flexible cable modeling technology. In this paper, we review the methods used to model deformable cable-like objects. At present, the physical models of one-dimensional cable-like flexible objects are mostly elastic. There are different types of models, which we can classify as mass–spring, multi-body, elastic rod, dynamic spline, finite element models, and so forth. There are a number of significant issues, such as how to couple these models in an appropriate way, take more physical behaviors into account, and develop a more sophisticated/comprehensive model. Some researchers have also studied how to model plastic cables, thin viscous threads, and branched cables; however, those issues are far from fully resolved and need to be studied further. Furthermore, we believe that in future research it will be important to model the cross-sections of cables with different or deformable shapes and complex internal structures, and consider the influence of temperature and alternating stress.