Linear Motion Tips allows engineering and manufacturing professionals to stay industry-current with linear motion component and linear cable carriers news and information. Our linear cable carriers articles below are produced by engineers and other industry experts. Read on to learn more about the latest innovations in linear motion components.
igus’ T3 Cable Carrier
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – igus®’ ‘T3’ cable carrier for applications involving very high speeds and accelerations was one product to catch the attention of visitors to IMTS. The lightweight cable carrier runs extremely smoothly with minimal vibrations and virtually no noise: 33 dB(A) with 26.5 dB(A) of background noise. The polymer side bands are injection-molded as one piece, reducing assembly times and increasing affordability for the customer.
T3 was developed primarily for applications in the electronics industry, but is suitable for measuring machines, high-speed handling systems, industrial printers, cleanrooms and linear motors. The T3 cable carrier is also available in a special-material version for ESD (electrostatic discharge) applications, for which its one-piece design is ideally suited.
Continuous flex cables deliver longer life and better performance
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc.’s Chainflex® continuous-flex cables are designed for installation in Energy Chain® cable carriers to deliver longer life and better performance for automated machinery. Chainflex cables are ideal for demanding, high-flex applications where a robust energy supply system is critical.
Igus first developed Chainflex cables in 1988 with the goal of eliminating common cable failures such as corkscrewing, loss of continuity and insulation damage. The company pioneered a unique technique of cable construction in which the conductors are bundled rather than layered. The wires are twisted with a special pitch length and the resulting conductors are cabled into bundles. For large cross sections, this is done around a strain relief element. The conductor bundles then are cabled around a tension-proof center.
Bundling the conductors and eliminating multi-layers ensures a uniform bend radius across each conductor. Pulling and compressing forces balance one another around the high-tensile center cord that provides the necessary inner stability. As a result the cable core remains stable even under maximum bending stress.
Chainflex continuous-flex cables are available in more than 800 sizes and styles. The line ranges from power and control cables to air hoses data cables, servo cables and fiber optic cables. Igus performs more than 35 rigorous cable tests in all types of conditions, to ensure the elite performance of Chainflex.
New lightweight multi-axis cable carrier provides low-cost alternative for robotic applications
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc. announced the availability of a new lightweight version of its Triflex® R multi-axis cable carrier. Triflex R is designed for use on automated robots and employs a pioneering ball-and-socket style design. Triflex R Light provides a low-cost alternative for robotic applications that don’t require a completely enclosed cable management system.
Unlike the standard Triflex R cable carrier, which is built with enclosed, two-segmented circular links connected by a ball on one link and a socket on the next, the links of Triflex R Light are a single segment. This leaves an opening between one link and the next, significantly lowering the weight and subsequently lowering the cost of the product.
Triflex R Light is reinforced by three fan-like supports that create three available compartments for cables and hoses, while standard Triflex R has an inner support that connects to the link in two places, creating two compartments, and also has dual guide channels for optional fiber rods.
Fast, compact energy supply for storage and retrieval systems
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers, Conveyors
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc. unveiled its latest Energy Chain System®: micro Speed-E-Chain for storage and retrieval systems. New micro Speed-E-Chain is a space-saving, compact system for rack control devices that operates safely and silently at high speeds. It complements the company’s larger protective guide-trough offering, formerly known as LBT Flizz and now called Speed-E-Chain.
Micro Speed-E-Chain is an ideal alternative to busways, busbars, festoons and other types of electrification supplies. It offers all the benefits of a traditional Energy Chain cable carrier, including cable protection, extension of service life and elimination of maintenance and downtime. Micro Speed-E-Chain is designed for storage and retrieval systems, extendable conveyors, material handling applications and tool changers.
Micro Speed-E-Chain is comprised of a uniquely designed Energy Chain installed in an aluminum guide trough, with a rolling attachment on the underside through which the cables are fed down to the machine. The top of the trough is closed to protect against dirt, dust and contaminants.
Energy Chain designed for high-acceleration, high-speed applications
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc. offers System E4/100 Energy Chain® cable carriers, designed for applications with high fill weights, high accelerations and high speeds. Featuring a special side link and stop dog design, System E4/100 carriers reduce noise generation by 50 percent and can be found in various industries ranging from assembly and packaging to entertainment.
System E4/100 is maintenance-free, dirt-repellant and available in seven styles and up to 42 widths. For environments with harsh elements such as hot chips or chemicals, System E4/100 is available in an enclosed tube design to shield cables from damage. System E4/100 also is equipped with snap-open crossbars for easy cable installation and a wide array of mounting bracket, cable separation and strain relief options are available.
System E4/100 is ideal for long-travel applications ranging from 656 to 1,312 feet and delivers optimal performance at up to 26 feet, unsupported. For travel lengths exceeding 26 feet, igus offers guide troughs or its AUTO-GLIDE System to keep an Energy Chain in line. All igus Energy Chains are weather-resistant and prevent external forces from damaging cables or causing them to tangle.
New polymer enables cable carriers to beat the heat
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc. unveiled its new and improved high-temperature, chip-repellant version of its System E2 and System E4 Energy Tubes. The fully enclosed Energy Tube is constructed with igumid HT, a pioneering polymer material that is unaffected by hot chips reaching temperatures of 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit and higher.
New igumid HT takes igus’ Energy Tube heat resistance to a new level. Standard Energy Tubes, made from igumid G polymer, protect against elements reaching 932 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than adequate for most applications. Igumid HT meets the needs of those applications experiencing extremely hot temperatures, ensuring that searing debris will bounce off the system without incidence.
Energy Tubes made from igumid HT are specifically designed for machine-tool applications, welding machines, plasma-cutting machines or any environment where objects such as scalding chips or metal fragments are prevalent. High-temperature Energy Tubes also are an ideal alternative to difficult-to-handle steel cable carriers.
High-temperature Energy Tubes have many additional features and benefits, including:
“We can confidently stand behind Energy Tubes made of new igumid HT, as the material has passed numerous in-house tests with superior results,” said Joe Ciringione, Energy Chain business unit manager for igus. “Having our System E2 and E4 Energy Tubes available in this new material provides additional options for our customers with extreme-temperature applications. From applications in steel mills to foundry plants, our high-temperature Energy Tube can be used with the peace of mind that it will protect against the most scorching environmental elements without incurring damage.”
Like all E2 and E4 Systems, high-temperature Energy Tubes are equipped with easy-release, snap-open hinges so customers can quickly repair or replace cables housed within. These hinges are located on either the inner or the outer radius of the lid depending on customer preference. Horizontal or vertical cable separators, integrated strain relief and additional accessories also are options for customers. Energy Tubes made of igumid HT also can be delivered as ReadyChain, a preassembled cable carrier system complete with cables, carrier, connectors, mounting brackets and all accessories.
A new advancement with the development of a magnetic energy chain system
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – August 15, 2006 – Igus® Inc., today announced the development of a pioneering advancement in cable carrier design. New LeviChain is a magnetic Energy Chain System® in which the cable carrier operates suspended in a magnetic force field to virtually eliminate abrasion and noise. LeviChain is the only cable carrier with attracting magnets available on the market today.
LeviChain is well-suited for clean rooms, medical engineering, measurement engineering, painting plants, industrial robots, electronics, material handling and linear motors. Iron content is integrated into the Energy Chain which is placed between two attracting magnetic rails. The magnets pull on the iron in the cable carrier causing it to float within the field of attraction.
LeviChain is also an igus E-Z Chain designed with a split crossbar for the fastest possible installation or removal of cables and hoses—without any tools. Press the conduit into the carrier to install and pull straight up to remove. The magnetic field will not produce any inductive influence on power or bus cables making LeviChain safe for use with all cable types.
ReadyChain harnessed systems save customers time and money
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc., the leading developer of Energy Chain® cable carriers, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables and iglide® plastic bearings, offers ReadyChain—a complete, preassembled cable carrier system that combines igus’ leading Energy Chains with its Chainflex cables. ReadyChain is an out-of-the-box, plug and play solution and can come equipped with various connectors, brackets, strain relief and other accessories.
These ready-to-install systems can be assembled with any Energy Chain, ensuring that no application is too large or small. ReadyChain can benefit a wide range of applications such as storage technology, textile machinery, robotics, tube-bending machines, construction equipment, tree delimbing, assembly lines and gantry cranes.
ReadyChain reduces manufacturing costs and decreases assembly time, while also enabling organizations to:
With ReadyChain, customers have the luxury of receiving cables, hoses and carrier systems from the same supplier, accompanied with a complete system guarantee. Igus also offers expert engineering support for turnkey installations. ReadyChains, like all Energy Chains, house, protect and extend the service life of cables and hoses. Energy Chains are all-plastic cable carriers that prevent cables from corkscrewing, breaking and tangling on automated, mobile machinery.
Energy Chain cable carriers and Chainflex continuous-flex cables for extrememly tight space restrictions
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc. offers Energy Chain® cable carriers and Chainflex® continuous-flex cables designed for extremely tight space restrictions. These compact versions of the company’s comprehensive line of automated machinery components are ideal for packaging applications.
Igus delivers Energy Chains in all shapes and sizes. The E2 micro series of Energy Chains is lightweight, quiet and low cost. This cable carrier is available with an inner height as low as .20 inches and it is available as a zipper chain for fast, easy access to cables and hoses. Zipper chains have interconnected lids that are pulled back like a zipper, removing the top section of the carrier.
Chainflex CF98 continuous-flex cable has a recommended bend radius of four times the outer diameter, the smallest of any Chainflex cable to date. Chainflex CF98 is equipped with unique alloy conductors which have higher tensile strength than standard copper. Igus Chainflex continuous-flex cables are designed specifically for use in Energy Chain Systems® and withstand the stress of tight bending radii to deliver longer extended life at a lower cost. Igus offers an extensive line of cables, in more than 700 sizes and styles. The combination of CF98 with the igus Energy Chain® E2 micro series creates a complete Energy Chain System that can squeeze into any packaging application.
New Cost-Effective Cable Carrier with Easy-to-Open Multilink Band
February 25, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc., the industry-leading developer of Energy Chain® cable carriers, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables and iglide® plastic bearings, announced a new, cost-effective cable carrier with an easy-to-open, multilink band. System E1 Energy Chain is designed to be a simple solution for smaller, less complex, cable-management requirements.
System E1 is equipped with a unique multilink band which can be easily shortened or lengthened. The band includes six to 15 links depending on the size of the carrier. Each band of links is connected via a flexible snap-open fastener and S-shape motion is possible at any link. The lids of each link open on the same side for easy installation and quick access to cables and hoses.
System E1 has smooth outer contours and inner heights starting at .39 inches and inner widths of .51 inches. This compact design makes it an ideal Energy Chain for office equipment, computers, sliding doors, ATMs, seat adjusters, automotive components and other limited-space or low-velocity applications.
System E1 also eliminates the need for additional connecting accessories such as mounting brackets and therefore lowers installation costs. To secure the carrier, five small holes are bored into the bottom of each link. Screws are then placed in the holes directly on the carrier for support. In some applications it is possible to screw two parallel Energy Chains together for support.
If necessary, System E1 is available in various materials and colors to comply with fire regulations or to conform to a specific interior design. Various strain-relief options are also available.
