Various projects in the logistics and supply chain management sector are undertaken in Dubai. Chainflex cables can help fulfill the ever-growing challenging demands and tough environment. If you are also looking for such high-quality energy chain cables for your applications, you can easily get them by contacting a recognized igus distributor in Dubai.
To ensure that cables are made as per the defined standards, igus carries out basic cable qualification tests. These standards involve a series of tests that determine the respective igus class of the cables.
So, let's check out what these standard qualifications are and how to identify the class of igus Chainflex cables.
Materials:
Chainflex cables are made from high-quality materials and to determine the quality and endurance of these cables, various endurance tests are performed, such as:
Continuous bending tests at room temperature with gliding and freely suspended travel distances
Continuous bending tests at low temperatures and a travel distance of 8m at -40 degrees F based on the material
Continuous bending tests in different liquid media with a travel distance of approximately 0.5m.
Abrasion tests in combination with chain materials.
Apart from these tests, these cables are also passed through standard cable specific tests, such as permanent alternate bending tests, aging, media resistance, flame resistance if applicable, and more. Some of the endurance tests can last up to 3 years.
Design:
These series of tests are performed using Energy Chains to guide and protect the cable and can last from one to three years. Some of these are:
Continuous bending tests at room temperature with gliding and freely suspended travel distance
Continuous bending tests at varying temperature curves between -40 degrees F and +140 degrees F based on the material with gliding travel distances and smaller radii than mentioned in the catalog.
Continuous torsion tests in 3.28 ft triplex Energy Chain cables with +-180 degrees/meter
Continuous torsion tests in triplex energy chains by using movement programs on 6-axis robots.
How to Identify the Classification of igus Chainflex Cables
There is a three-digit code on the cable with a label "CLASS" and the three digits separated by (.) indicate their classification in three ways:
Mechanical Requirements:
Flexible cable
Highly flexible cable
Cable with no special structure (such as stranding in layers) for use in Energy Chains
Cable with an exclusive structure for continuous movement in Energy Chains; meant for medium mechanical load requirements and radii from 7.5 x d with speed up to 3 m/s
Cable suitable for continuous movement in Energy Chains and meant for high mechanical load requirements and radii from 6.8 x d with speed up to 10 m/s
Cable designed for continuous movement in Energy Chains and meant for highest mechanical load requirements and radii from 5 x d with speed up to 10 m/s
Cable especially made for continuous movement in Energy Chains and meant for highest mechanical load requirements and radii from 4 x d with speed up to 10 m/s or more
Travel Distance:
Unsupported Energy Chain
Unsupported and gliding Energy Chain up to 50 m
Unsupported and gliding Energy Chain up to 100 m
Unsupported and gliding Energy Chain up to 400 m or more
Oil Resistance:
No resistance to oil
Oil resistant in adherence to DIN EN 60811-2-1, DIN EN 50363-4-1
Oil resistant in adherence to DIN EN 60811-2-1, DIN EN 50363-10-2
Oil resistant in adherence to DIN EN 60811-2-1 and bio-oil-resistant as per VDMA 24568
Now, let's assume if the cable class is marked as 7.4.4, it means (7) this cable is made for continuous movement in Energy Chains and meant for highest mechanical load requirements and radii from 4 x d with speed up to 10 m/s or more, (4) featured with a travel distance of unsupported and gliding Energy Chain up to 400 m or more, and (4) oil and bio-oil resistant in adherence to DIN EN 60811-2-1 and VDMA 24568, respectively.
So, next time you contact an igus distributor in Dubai, you can easily communicate your requirements and verify if you are getting what you've asked for.