e-skin® flat ESD ribbon cables

There are two adversaries in modern battery production: moisture and contamination. Machines and systems must therefore function in extremely dry environments that have a relative humidity of less than 1%. They must not release any particles that could damage the sensitive cell materials. This also poses a challenge for energy chains that guide cables and hoses to moving machine parts, for example in cell assembly. Frictional conditions change in extreme dryness, which can increase wear and particle emissions.

"For this demanding scenario, we have developed e-skin flat ESD systems. They are made of high-performance plastic that is particularly abrasion-resistant, so that virtually no particles are emitted even during fast movements in an extremely dry atmosphere," says Kira Weller, Product Manager for e-chains® and cleanroom expert at igus. Proof is provided by a new certificate from the Fraunhofer IPA, according to which the e-skin® flat ESD is the world's first energy chain in dry cleanrooms to achieve the highest degree, ISO Cleanroom Class 1.

Weller: "The certificate is an important milestone for us. With the global expansion of battery production, the requirements for process reliability and purity are constantly increasing. We assume that industry and regulators will therefore demand even higher standards in future. Energy chains certified according to ISO 1 already provide the security for future high-purity production plants in the battery industry."

igus has been working with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA for several years to have its energy chain systems independently tested and certified. However, specifically for dry cleanrooms testing technology previously set limits. In the past, certifications were only possible up to ISO Class 4 under dry cleanroom conditions. With a new test facility, the Fraunhofer IPA can now examine particle emission behavior under dry cleanroom conditions up to ISO Class 1 for the first time. The results create additional transparency for users who have the highest requirements for cleanliness and process safety. Two designs for a wide variety of Cleanroom-compatible up to ISO Class 1

2025 Best of Industry Award Winner

Many standard components, such as energy chains, cables, and lubrication points, wear out faster in dry cleanrooms, leading to failures and production downtime. Our lubrication-free, abrasion-resistant, and maintenance-free e-skin flat cable guidance system meets the highest cleanroom standards. It reliably prevents particle formation and ensures trouble-free operation, even at minimal humidity levels. For these reasons, e-skin® flat has been awarded the 2025 Best of Industry Award in the "Battery Development and Production" category.