chainflex® SFP "semi-finished product"

The chainflex® SFP production process
Competitiveness and productivity have always been issues that machine builders and automation specialists have had to deal with. The economic crisis of 2009 has led to an even greater focus on lean and productive processes. In practice, it is becoming increasingly apparent that off-the-shelf solutions are not suitable for sustainably utilising productivity potential. This is why there is a trend towards increasingly customised machines and systems that help to speed up processes and reduce costs - a development that does not stop at component manufacturers. It is not just about customised products, but also about short delivery times, a long service life and scope for flexible adaptation to new requirements.

igus® recognised the signs of the times back in 2007 and began to fundamentally restructure the chainflex®cable manufacturing range.

The introduction of the modular design at chainflex®-cable was fundamental. To this end, chainflex®-cable was further developed technically so that many individual parts can be manufactured modularly and thus used in a wide variety of chainflex®series. This means that the demand for more customised products can be met without increasing costs. The principle that makes this possible is called the "Semi Finished Product" (SFP) system at igus®. Today, all cables are manufactured according to this principle.

Many components are produced in large quantities, stored temporarily and assembled into the finished product within a few weeks after ordering certain cable series. The following applies: time- and cost-intensive production steps are manufactured in large quantities and in a time- and cost-optimised manner.

Thanks to this "SFP" process, igus® has succeeded in keeping the costs for the end products constant despite the significant rise in raw material prices.

igus® Thanks to this system, chainflex®can ensure a delivery reliability of up to 97.2% and thus fulfil its delivery promise of "within 36 hours" for over 1000 -cable.