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News Release from: Igus UK | Subject: Chainflex CF98 cable - narrow bend radii
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 December 2005
Control cable developed for narrow
bending radii
Selecting a suitable cable is a highly-sensitive issue for users of extremely small energy chain systems, which is why a range of cables has been developed using a new conductor material.
Selecting a suitable cable is a highly-sensitive issue for users of extremely small energy chain systems If a cable core ruptures in an application with confined installation space - for example, in an automatic tram door - stopping the entire system for repair work can incur great expense
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Similarly, cash dispensers and semi-conductor pick-and-place robots come to a complete standstill on cable failure.
* Special cable alloys - Igus has now expanded its control cable range especially for such applications, particularly the automation, automotive and bank sectors and packaging, pick-and-place and semi-conductor industries.
The new Chainflex CF98 cable incorporates a special alloy, which means it can withstand more than 30 million energy chain cycles, at a bending radius of less than 4xD (D = cable diameter).
Further reading
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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.
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* More than two years of research - a replacement conductor material for Chainflex CF98 was developed through comprehensive research carried out over two years.
Extensive tests were completed to discern which material would ensure a large number of cycles for bending radii below 4xD.
Copper was found to reach its physical limit at bending radii of under 5xD.
Due to its molecular structure, copper becomes brittle and breaks very easily when subjected to a high degree of mechanical stress.
It was, therefore, essential to find a material with a "softer" structure.
* Longer service life than copper - in an initial test, a cable with a special alloy (test specimen A), the same cable with copper (test specimen B), a braided cable (test specimen C) and a cable with a rope construction (test specimen D) were compared.
Test 1 analysed a number of conductors and cross sections, but test 2 specifically compared test specimens A and B.
The cable material was the only distinguishing characteristic.
The test results showed specimen A had no single-wire rupture, even after more than 28 million cycles.
Test specimen B on the other hand only reached around 1.4 million cycles before the cable was completely destroyed.
This meant that the alloyed cable had a service life 19 times longer than the copper cable.
Chainflex CF98 was successfully tested at a bending radius of 3.2xD with the new alloy.
The control cables are made of a highly abrasion-resistant, extruded outer jacket, are resistant to oil and UV rays and free of PVC and halogen.
The new igus control cable is now available ex-stock without any cutting costs or extra charges for small quantities. Request a free brochure from Igus UK ...
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