Regardless of whether it is made up or not: Bei Igus 'don't stand on the lines' but here you can get electric cables and Lines, which the heart of an electrical engineer desires. From B like bus line, about data line, hybrid line, motor cable, robot cable to S as in control line, SPE line and special cables, the motion plastics specialist offers everything that moving industrial electrical installations need. 

Contents

• 1350 tested, environmentally friendly cables and wires
  • Chainflex cables with PFAS free seal
  • Control line: tested, UL approved and safe
  • Halogen-free TPE cables with the world's first UL approval
  • Hybrid cable for SEW motors combines energy and data
  • Servo cable for safe machines with Fanuc drive
  • Bus cable reduces assembly time by 46%
• Archive for igus cables and wires
• Frequently asked questions

1350 tested environmentally friendly cables and wires

Those designed for dynamic applications Chainflex Lines from Igus are used in numerous machines and systems worldwide. They are used in various areas such as crane systems, machine tools and in the Robotic as well as in reliable energy supply energy chains. On the one hand, Igus has constantly expanded its portfolio with a range of over 1350 different cable types. The products also impress with their durability and robustness, which have been proven in extensive tests in the company's own laboratory.

Experts there carry out more than 2 billion test cycles through. Based on this experience, the manufacturer has been offering a 36-month warranty on its products for more than a decade, recently extended to four years. Below we will introduce you to the new Igus cables and cables.

Chainflex cables with PFAS free seal

April 17.04.2024, XNUMX | The abbreviations PFAS and PTFE stand for chemical compounds that are found in many everyday applications Eternity chemicals are harmful to the environment, people and animals.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is better by brand name Teflon famous. Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are found in coated clothing, fire extinguishers, baking paper, make-up and also in many plastics. Because PFAS Long-lasting, harmful to health and difficult to break down, the EU is currently pushing ahead with a restriction or even a ban on over 10.000 PFAS compounds.

With the “PFAS free” seal, Igus now shows that its in-house Chainflex cables are free of the chemicals. At 95% of its lines the plastics specialist does not use the corresponding chemicals. In the event of a ban, the company already offers operational security.

Insulation, jacket, tapes etc. exist as PFAS free Marked Chainflex cables made from materials that are free of fluorine compounds - with the exception of possible contamination or measured value limits, which cannot be completely ruled out due to external influences.

Control line: tested, UL approved and safe

22.04.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX | From the cable carrier directly to the cable rack is a matter of course in Europe. This is much more difficult for companies in the USA and those who deliver there.

The new UL MTW/TC-ER certified control cable CF150.UL and CF160.UL series from igus now solves the problem. The MTW cables are specified for use in industrial plants. Due to the TC-ER (Tray Cable-Exposed Run) approval, which places special demands on the construction and material, it can be laid directly on the cable tray.

Only UL cables for chain and platform

The two Chainflex series with the UL listed certification are the only control cables approved for energy chains and platforms. They are safe and designed for continuous movement with a lifetime guarantee of 36 months or 10 million strokes.

Whether in one fixed laying, cable tray or in the energy chain, the control cable must withstand a wide variety of loads. If it fails, production often comes to a standstill. For a fail-safe supply, igus offers two control lines for continuous movements in the energy chain and on the cable tray. Both have an outer sheath that is approved for use as an MTW/TC-ER conductor and has been tested and optimized in over 26 million cycles.

This oil-resistant, highly abrasion-resistant and permanently flexible PVC sheath also meets the Tray Cable test with fire regulations FT4, FT1 and VW1. The electrical cables are available with a shield (CF160.UL) and without a shield (CF150.UL). The bending radius is only 7,5 xd in the energy chain. Unsupported travel distances and up to 50 m in gliding applications are possible. Typical applications are stacker cranes, processing and packaging machines or indoor cranes.

Elimination of complex construction and guarantee promises

Because the electrical line is directly after the cable carrier on the cable tray can be laid, there are no plug-in points behind the chain, complex housings and double storage of different cable types for the chain. Fixed installation is also no longer necessary. In this way, electric cables can easily be used in different systems. Downtimes of all kinds are reduced. 

Rainer Rössel, authorized signatory and head of the Chainflex division, comments on the guarantee promise from igus: “With our CF150.UL and CF160.UL control cables, too, we fully rely on a lifetime guarantee. We have developed two unique series that are suitable for use in e-chains as well as in cable trays - and also give our customers tested and certified safety. 

With over 30 years of experience and numerous tests, we can make reliable and guaranteed statements about the service life and offer our customers up to 36 months or more with a clear conscience 10 million double strokes Give a guarantee on our electrical cables. We were the first German company to have this promise validated”. Based on the test results, customers can easily and transparently calculate the service life of the cables online."

Halogen-free TPE cables with the world's first UL approval

18.11.2021 | As the first manufacturer in the world, igus gets TPE cables for its high-end without flame-retardant halogens UL AWM certification from the US organization Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as additives. The testing organization thus recognizes that halogen-free TPE cables can also meet the fire protection requirements of the industry.

"We are particularly pleased that Igus is now a world's first manufacturer has received a UL seal for halogen-free TPE cables," says Rainer Rössel, authorized signatory and head of the Chainflex cables division. "The approval shows our customers that they are on the safe side with Chainflex high-end TPE cables."

Fire protection also possible without halogen

For this certification, the igus engineers had to do some convincing. Because until now, when it came to fire protection, the flame retardancy for cables and wires is the central factor in order to receive a UL certification. For this reason, only products with flame retardants such as chlorine, fluorine or bromine received approval. However, these additives increase the flame resistance.

It was but not yet taken into accountthat flame retardants usually change the chemical coating structure and thus reduce the mechanical strength. The motion plastics specialist therefore started elsewhere much earlier: the focus was less on avoiding the spread of a fire and more on the fire caused by the cable itself.

Modern server rack solutions for the IT infrastructure

The TPE coat blends are extremely resistant to mechanical loads and external influences. They can therefore be used in a variety of ways, such as in small installation spaces of up to 4 xd, on highly dynamic, short travel distances with accelerations of 100 m/s² or over long distances in a temperature range of -35° to +100 °C. They have proven to be extremely media-resistant, even with special bio-oils.

The halogen-free TPE sheath mixtures minimize early aging fractures of the outer jacket by a factor of up to 10 compared to the same materials with flame retardants. A decisive cause of fire is thus reduced. If the sheath does not break, the cable will not cause a fire either, because this rules out a reduction in the core cross-section. In the end, this argument also convinced the UL.

Flame resistance is no longer the measure of all things

The Cologne company is thus making a significant contribution to increasing the machine safety. The resilience, long-term bending strength and service life of Chainflex cables in the energy chain have proven convincing in numerous practical tests, and not just for TPE cables. “So far, customers have had the opportunity to choose from 1044 Chainflex cables with UL approval,” says Mr. Rössel. “With the new certification, over 200 TPE cables are now added, so that we can now offer an almost complete UL certified program.” 

Hybrid cable for SEW motors combines energy and data

26.10.2021 | The new engine generations should be small, compact and fast. In order to save space, more and more drive manufacturers are turning to hybrid technology. Igus has now expanded its range of hybrid cables with a new cable for SEW motors with the Movilink DDI interface expanded. Users can therefore fall back on a durable cable for energy chains.

Hybrid lines for the Drive Technology combine the energy and data transmission, whereby the Number of lines required halved. Partner SEW trusts with its new Engines with Movilink DDI interface for data transmission of motor information to a coax element. With the hybrid cable, igus has developed a new type of cable for the energy and data transmission of the compact motors even when they are moving.

Relays or switches for safety, semiconductors, time, protection, etc.

“The challenge with cables with coax elements is that they quickly become susceptible to faults with high dynamics. That is why we have made it our task to develop a durable and flexible cable that also works reliably when it is in motion." Andreas Muckes, Head of Product Management Chainflex cables at igus.

40% space saved

For the CF280.UL.H207.D hybrid cable, four power wires were combined with a coaxial wire and two control pairs. The saves 40% installation space in the energy chain. In addition, the weight to be driven is reduced, which reduces energy consumption. The cable with a PUR outer jacket is suitable for applications with a bending factor of up to 15 xd. A wide variety of industries such as machine tool construction, material handling or the automotive industry e.g. B. will thus cover their selection criteria.

With 28 different line types for motors from Beckhoff, Siemens, SEW or Bosch Rexroth Igus currently offers the largest selection of hybrid cables for the energy chain from stock. The expansion of the CF280 series follows the ongoing trend of hybrid technology. The CF280 cable series is also available with a PVC outer jacket as CF220. The Chainflex cables are available pre-assembled or sold by the meter with a guarantee of up to 36 months.

Servo cable for safe machines with Fanuc drive

23.06.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX | Fanuc supplies engines and Controllers for Machine Tools. igus has developed a new, highly flexible servo cable so that the drives can also be supplied with fail-safe energy during movement. It was designed for the dynamic demands in the energy chain. The cable is equipped with an oil-resistant PUR jacket, UL approved and offers a UL-verified certified guarantee of up to 36 months.

The servo line connects the machine to the drive and sets it in motion. In the energy chain, it must be highly flexible, durable, fail-safe and oil-resistant. In addition, it has to comply with a wide range of standards and certifications for worldwide use. With the CF270.UL.D family, igus 32 cable cross-sections suitable for 24 drive manufacturers for use in the energy chain.

Fieldbus technology from Turck for Ex and non-Ex areas

Igus now has the series with new cables for Fanuc motors βi series further expanded with a (6G1,0)C structure. "We offer more than 20 different Chainflex categories especially for the machine tool sector," explains Catherine Esch, international product manager Chainflex cables.

claim met

"Since more and more machine builders rely on Fanuc motors, we have now developed a corresponding cable that meets the demanding environmental conditions such as high travel speeds and accelerations." The CF270.UL.10.06.D has an oil and coolant-resistant PUR outer sheath, one color according to Desina and one according to 1000 V UL AWM approval.

The Chainflex cable has been tested 18 million strokes withstood. The durability in individual use can be determined online. The Fanuc cable is available by the meter from 1000 mm directly from stock or assembled with a suitable plug as a ready-to-connect readycable. A finished energy supply system with energy chain, cable and line and Plugs offers igus with the readychain service.

Bus cable reduces assembly time by 46%

09.04.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX | The new Chainflex Profinet cable The “Fastconnect” program from Igus is used to quickly assemble cables in the field. The cable is stripped in just a few steps, reducing installation time by 46%. Especially when used dynamically in the energy chain, the bus cable offers a long service life with a guarantee of up to 36 months.

Thanks to the most common Industrial Ethernet Communicationsystem, the Profinet technology, large amounts of data can be transferred at up to 100 Mbit/s based on the Ethernet protocol. Profinet cables are often used in combination with an RJ45 connector in machine tools, packaging technology or handling.

Example control cabinet

users in the field need Cables from the cable drum, which you can adjust and tailor to your specific length. An example is when the electrical cable is connected through a screw connection switch cabinet is to lead. Only it fits through, but not the plug. With the highly flexible Chainflex Profinet cable CF898.061.FC, the connector can be stripped and fitted with a connector in just a few simple steps using Fastconnect technology.

Cable, plug and stripping tool are everything the electrician needs for assembly. The inner sheath, shield and outer sheath are designed in such a way that the user only has to adjust the tool once, remove the cable, insert the connector and fold it shut. The whole process saves 46% time compared to conventional stripping of classic cables with pliers and a knife.

Highly flexible cable solution

"With the new Profinet cable, we can offer users a highly flexible cable solution that can be assembled quickly and at the same time has a long service life in moving applications," explains Andreas Muckes, Head of Product Management Chainflex cables. The current series of tests in the energy chain in the in-house 3800 m² test laboratory are still ongoing. The Profinet line has already successfully passed the 7,8 million stroke mark.

Frequently asked questions

When do you say cable and when do you say line?

In a technical context, the differences between the terms “cable” and “line” are defined with regard to their application. A “line” is typically used for electrical installations within buildings or systems to flexibly transmit power and signals. A "cable", on the other hand, is more protected and designed for outdoor use or underground installation as it must withstand environmental influences. The Distinction The main difference between these two terms lies in the type of application and the nature of the coating.

What is the difference between a control cable and a motor cable?

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