Flexible cables for the e-chain®: an overview of chainflex® cables

For a long service life, flexible cables used in energy chains or on robots must have special specifications. Our cables are specialised for a wide range of applications. The chainflex cable range from igus extends from control cables, servo cables, motor cables and robot cables to bus cables, data cables, encoder cables and fibre optic cables.

The cable for the linear energy chain

When used in an energy chain, the cable is subjected to high loads due to movement and torsion. Our expertise in this area is based on the experience gained from countless tests conducted for more than 30 years. The stress on the cable depends heavily on the travel and bend radius. To withstand this stress, we have developed seven basic rules. This enables us to achieve particularly high cable quality and offer the right cable for different requirements such as, e.g. gusset-filling extrusion or the special stranding of the core.

The robot cable

Robot cables are also known as torsion cables. This emphasises the completely different form of movement that these cables have to withstand. In recent years, we have also been able to gain a great deal of knowledge in this field of application in our in-house test laboratory. Two of the most important are: a different shielding concept and a soft structure that absorbs the internal movement of the cable in a springy manner. Through countless tests, we have defined a clear definition of durability via movement, as there is no normative reference. We clearly define that a robot cable only receives this title when it can be provided with a service life guarantee of 5 million cycles at +/- 180 degrees/m.

The drive cable

Offering around 4,600 harnessed motor, servo, signal and encoder cables suitable for 24 manufacturer standards, igus is the world's No. 1 for harnessed cables for use in energy chains. With seven cable qualities, the range always offers the most favourable drive cable that is guaranteed to work. Thanks to the online service life calculator for ready-to-connect cables, the expected service life for the selected application can be calculated quickly. In addition, igus is the only manufacturer to offer a guarantee of up to 4 years or over 100 million strokes on cables.

More information on chainflex cables