Product category:
Electrical systems
News Release from: Igus UK | Subject: System E3 Energy Chain cable carriers
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 July 2005
Low-cost cable carrier offers low noise
Cable carrier features a short pitch design, which provides a smooth, quiet operation and low vibration levels, even at high speeds, and provides fast, easy installation.
Igus UK, the largest developer of reinforced, plastic Energy Chain cable carriers, has unveiled its latest design innovation, the System E3 Energy Chain New System E3 combines the best features of two series of igus cable carrier into one cost-effective package
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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System E3 sports the short pitch design of the igus System E6 product line, which provides a smooth, quiet operation and low vibration levels, even at high speeds.
It additionally features the design of igus Zipper-style chains, where the link closes on the outer radius for fast, easy cable access and installation.
System E3 is also very light-weight and compact.
Further reading
Energy chains investigated for vibration
RWTH Aachen recently carried out a study, 'Vibration investigations on energy chains', which showed that igus' E6' energy chain exhibited minimum vibration and maximum smooth running.
Why oil or grease bearings - go plastics
Igus reported that a recent study found half of machinery lubricants seep into soil and water or evaporates, whereas tribo-optimised plastics bearings need no oil or grease.
Plain bearings do not need oil or grease
The iglidur plain bearings from igus are tribologically optimised so that they run without any oil or grease, therefore no contaminants escape into the environment.
It is designed for smaller E-Chain applications, such as drawer slides, enclosures, pick and place robots and in industries including the printing, clean room, medical and semi-conductor sectors.
* A test for Igus designers - the challenge was set for the igus design team when it came to developing a small, but silent, durable and affordable Energy Chain.
A short pitch reduces the polygon-effect, but subsequently increases costs.
An elastic spring instead of pin-hole connections has turned out to be very useful for middle size and large Energy Chains from the E6 range, but reducing the size of this spring would increase the cost for parts and assembly.
Soft or extruded straps turned out to be too limited and unstable when in motion.
The same was true of hybrid cables with integrated spring bars.
Production would only be lucrative for large-scale manufacture.
* New design ideas - with the E3 series, igus has found solutions to combine silent operation, stability, low cost and easy assembly.
'E3' owes its name to the fact it comprises of just three basic components: first, a link made of reinforced polymer, 'igumid G'; second, a spring connector and third, a band of cross bars, which open like a zip.
The spring connector replaces the need for a pin-hole connection and avoids movements between the joints, which mean the chain is almost completely free of wear.
To reduce production and assembly costs, the spring band is not mounted individually, but on a length of ten chain links.
E3 also offers possibilities for electrostatic discharge applications.
The modified spring component is made of an electrically conductive material, which guarantees constant electrical conductivity, even under high bending stresses.
* Silent during long-term tests - long-term tests in the igus acoustic laboratory show reductions of 19-20db(A) compared with standard Energy Chains, measured at a speed of 1.8m/s and an acceleration of 3m/s2.
Considering 3db(A) are a 50% noise reduction for human ears, the advantages for machines are clear.
During long-term tests, system E3 easily completed 15 million cycles at a bending radius of 44mm and an acceleration of 4G.
The test is ongoing.
In corresponding tests, the similar system E6 has so far completed 120 million cycles without damage.
* Three sizes - System E3 is currently available with inner heights of 10, 15 and 20mm.
Further components, such as a choice of two different connection elements - one of them external and the other with an integrated strain relief - are available.
igus designers appreciate any suggestions for how they might develop the product range further.
David Chapman, managing director at igus UK, predicts: "By using System E3, our customers will improve an important function of their machines tremendously, by reducing noise and increasing lifetime". Request a free brochure from Igus UK ...
"Cost is reduced, because of shorter assembly times and the fact the Energy Chains and cables last much longer.".
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