Resilient energy supply systems and cables for linear drive technology from HIWIN

• What was needed: chainflex® -servo cable and measuring system cable, supplied pre-assembled on both sides with connector as a so-called readycable®; energy chain of type E2/000
• Requirements:  High accelerations of up to 10 g, speeds of up to 5 m/s, little available installation space, high expectations of service life and rated voltages of 600 V for the cable as well as a required UL approval.
• Industry: Automation technology
• Success for the customer: The chains and cables are proving themselves worldwide and in a wide variety of applications. For example, when cutting tubes in the automotive industry, where the energy supply system and cable run practically wear-free - despite the high amount of swarf.

To enable even more precise and faster positioning tasks in handling technology, spindle and toothed belt drives are increasingly being supplemented or replaced by linear motor axes.
The Taiwanese manufacturer of linear technology, HIWIN, is a universal supplier offering standard solutions for the majority of such applications where linear, planar or three-dimensional movements in space are required. The product portfolio ranges from simple profile rails and ball screw drives to complete positioning systems with motorised axes, linear modules and position measuring systems.
In addition to profile rails and motors for drive technology, other components such as energy supply systems and cables must also be offered. For the demanding fields of application of the linear systems, which range from automotive technology to the semiconductor industry, the purchased parts must also be of particularly high quality. The ambient conditions can demand everything from the components: They can be used in cleanrooms as well as in particularly dirty environments.
In addition, the e-chain® and cable are subject to high accelerations of up to 10 g, speeds of up to 5 m/s, limited installation space, high service life expectations and, for the cable, rated voltages of 600 V and a required UL approval.
When looking for a supplier for these components, HIWIN also had other economic considerations, such as deciding on a fixed supplier. This supplier had to offer the widest possible product range in its portfolio and thus have a solution for every requirement.

Both the energy supply systems and the cables have been supplied by HIWIN for many years. Our servo cables from the chainflex® CF27 series and measuring system cables from the chainflex® CF211 and CF111.D series are used for the cables. With its compact design, cast-filled extruded inner jacket and highly abrasion-resistant PURouter jacket, the 'CF27' series is suitable for the highest loads. It can easily realise an acceleration of up to 100 g. To ensure the highest possible electromagnetic compatibility safety, a special braided shield with optimised braid angle and 90 % optical coverage is used, which prevents shield wire breakage even with high stroke rates of linear drives. The measuring system cable 'CF211' for heavy-duty use and 'CF111.D' for particularly oily wet areas are also used. Both the servo and measuring system cables are supplied as readycables®, i.e. they arrive at the customer pre-assembled with connectors on both ends.
The cables are guided in the two-part energy supply systems of type E2/000, in the 1400 and 2400 series. The energy chains with integrated strain relief in the connection area are characterised by their high mechanical stability combined with quiet running. The design and material ensure a long service life - even for the internal cables. They can be easily replaced thanks to the simple folding mechanism. The energy supply systems have proven themselves worldwide in a wide range of applications.