Design Guide: Basics of Cable Cat Tracks

Hose carrier & cat track cable management

e-chain® cable carriers (also known as cable cat tracks) are the umbilical cord of modern machines

Many industrial cables and hoses transmit energy, data, and fluid from fixed sources to moving mechanisms. They usually need to be guided and protected from external stresses common to the manufacturing environment. Cable and hose carriers can do this job.

The carrier is a structure, which surrounds the cables and hoses and facilitates travel while maximizing the life of these conduits. Cable carriers can take many forms, from heavy, open-style chains to fully enclosed tubes, and they are available in a variety of materials. Individual manufacturers refer to this product with a number of different terms, including cable carrier, drag chain, CAT track, cable track, energy chain and so on.

Read our Free Cable Cat Track Design Guide

Choosing the correct cable carrier for your application extends the life of cables and hoses, improves machine safety and reduces operating costs. Cable carriers, sometimes referred to as cat tracks, drag chains, or energy chains, can be manufactured in many different ways. They can be made with different materials like steel or plastic, and they can have simple lightweight designs or complex multi-axis conﬁgurations.

Read the Design Guide

Orange Services

Proper installation is essential for the life of your cable carrier, and igus® has a team of dedicated engineers ready to assist you every step of the way. From site inspection, to installation, to complete modernization, our team will ensure the longest possible service life for your cable carrier system. Contact us at (800) 521-2747 to discuss your project today!

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