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igus® inc.

PO BOX 14349

East Providence

RI 02914

+1 800 521 2747

+1 401 438 7270

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igus® System triflex® R - motion control in all axis

triflex® R 3 axis chain for robotic and non-robotic applications

Rugged design for superior service life on all robot axis. Modular, long-lasting, reliable, and assembly friendly

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1... TRE "easy“ Design

Lightning-fast filling of cables and hoses due to the "easy" mechanism

... easy filling with "fallout safety" - simply press cables into the chain by thumb ... cut assembly time by up to 80%

How it works

Dual lock

"easy" opening mechanism

Cables and hoses can simply be pressed into the chain using your thumb. This cuts assembly time by up to 80%.

igus® tested

tensile test

Reduce assembly times and cut time by 80%

Assembly time: Insertion of 2 cables Ø 6 and 10 mm (we will gladly provide you with details about these and many other tests)

Application example

CNC multi-spindle lathe

CNC multi-spindle lathe

A host of triflex® R e-chains® on a CNC multi-spindle lathe. Fast cable assembly due to the "easy" mechanism

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2... High tensile force absorption due to the trailer mechanism

... Tensile force ratings of up to 225 lbs. possible - the breaking strength is increased by several orders of magnitude

How it works

Trailer principle

Trailer principle

Due to the special trailer mechanism, the triflex® R can absorb high tensile forces.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3602: tensile force test

Tensile force test with TRE.100-145 in the igus® lab: 865 lbs. of tensile force

Application example

igus® trailer mechanism

Welding robot

High accelerations and direction changes are typical for robot motions. The links stay together due to the igus® trailer mechanism.

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3... Defined minimum bending radius

...for max. cable service life
...prevents pinching of media hoses

How it works

Dual lock

min. bending radius

All triflex® R types are rated with a defined minimum bending radius. This ensures that neither cables nor hoses are excessively pinched and damaged as a result. This increases the application's operational reliability and the service life of cables and hoses.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3418: breaking strength

Testing of the maximum breaking strength in the radius. Min. 49 lbs. load at the extreme radius stop dog, e.g. for a TRC-40-058

Application example

triflex® protection

Palletizing robot

Smallest robot dimensions also call for the tightest motion control radii on cables. triflex® protects cables and hoses due to defined minimum bending radii

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4... Torsion stop dog on each chain link

...minimizes the torsion load on the cable

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Torsion stop dog

Each triflex® R chain link has a torsion stop of approx. +/-10°. This distributes the torsion that occurs in robot applications across the entire chain length and increases the service life of hoses and cables.

igus® tested

Torsion tests

Test: Torsion

The igus® lab conducts torsion tests on triflex® R and cables, during which the triflex® R is twisted and "rolled up"

Application example

Twisting triflex®

Welding robot

Tight twisting and torsion motions occur specifically on the robot head. In this case, the triflex® R limits the twisting of cables with the defined torsion stop, and distributes the twisting over a greater length. This increases the service life of hoses and cables.

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5... TRC "enclosed" design

... enclosed, chip-proof design

How it works

Dual lock

Closed design

The TRC configuration - "C" for closed - is an enclosed 3D chain version. This version is chip-proof and protects cables and hoses against damaging media.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test: chip tightness

We use special chip drums to conduct tightness tests on many igus® E-Tubes. By using defined chips (quantity and type), we are able to make reliable statements for motion control applications.

Application example

Pallitizing robot with triflex®

Tile factory

Significant dust and dirt loads on a palletizing robot in a tile factory. triflex® R e-chains® not only need to be tight, but also resistant against abrasive dust.

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6... Outside bending radius stop dogs

... for maximum stability

How it works

Dual lock

Exterior stop dogs

Outside bending radius stop dogs provide max. radius stability, and reliably protect cables and hoses.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3242: Breaking load

We also test the durability of outside stop dogs in the igus® lab

Application example

triflex® R application example

Machine tools

In order to protect cables from pinching and to keep the interior space free of interference edges, bending radius stop dogs are located on the outside and must also be extremely rugged.

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7... Modular system for convenient shortening and extending

... no steel ropes, springs, or the like

How it works

Easy assembly/disassembly

Easy assembly/disassembly

Because of its modular design, the triflex® R can be extended and shortened on-demand. This provides maximum flexibility for any installation.

igus® tested

tensile test

Assembly example

No cutting of steel ropes, springs, or the like. An injection moulded part, therefore extended and shortened "on demand".

Application example

triflex® R application example

Handling robot

As is the case on conventional igus® e-chains®, triflex® R e-chains® can be extended/shortened at "any" location

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8... Also available as an ESD / ATEX design

... for EX applications

How it works

Dual lock

Conductive material, igumid ESD

The TRE + TRC versions are also available in "conductive" materials for ESD or EX applications. Proven in a host of applications. Products comply with ATEX Zone II 2GD

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3337: electrical resistance

Even after 500,000 cycles, the electrical resistance is still 70 MOhm on the Series TRC.40.058.0.ESD tested here.

Application example

Medical robot with triflex®

Medical robot

A variety of requirements are the focus in many industrial applications. This ranges from EX protection to cleanroom compatibility

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9... Impact-resistant, rugged, abrasion-resistant

... Elastic, yet impact resistant plastic material from Polyamide

How it works

Rugged

Rugged

The TRE/TRC version is suited for demanding robot applications. They have proven themselves in rough environments for years.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test: spin test

The impact-resistance of a triflex® R filled with cables is tested in spin tests

Application example

Plasma cutter with triflex®

3D plasma cutter

In addition to igus® triflex® TRE, other e-chains® (E2/000, E4-1) and drylin® linear guides (drylin® W) are installed in this plasma cutter.

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10... Standard mounting bracket with strain relief

... Reliable and fast strain relief

How it works

Dual lock

Modular accessories

Mounting brackets with strain relief tiewrap plates are available for easy assembly. This allows cables and hoses to be quickly and conveniently strain relieved with cable tie wraps. The mounting brackets are opened and closed by hand.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test: Tensile test

Tensile strength testing on igus® tiewrap plates with cable tie

Application example

Material handling robot with triflex® R

Handling robot

Reliably strain relieved, and optimally mounted on the robot due to the extension link.

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11... Mounting bracket as intermediate connection

... Optimal connection to the robot

Details of working principle

Accessories

Accessories

By using the mounting bracket as an extension link, triflex® R e-chains® can be secured/strain relieved at any location.

igus® tested

tensile test

Retention strength of the extension link

Application example

Robot with strain relieved triflex® R

Robots

Reliably strain relieved, and optimally mounted on the robot due to the extension link.

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12...Robot configuration tool

www.igus.com/quickrobot

... with only a few clicks to your robot configuration

How it works

Dual lock

Online Tool

igus® QuickRobot is a configuration tool for robot energy supply systems. With only a few clicks, the matching configuration can be selected for 79 robot models.

Link to the tool

igus® tested

QuickRobot

Robot configuration tool

Selection of robot types according to manufacturer and the required chain sizes according to diameter

Optional articles can be selected

Parts lists are created in PDF format

Equipment option per axis can be conveniently ordered with one article number.

Application example

QuickRobot Customized ordering

Customized ordering

Ordering directly online or with the parts list.

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13... A host of twistable cables available

www.chainflex.com

... more than 100 different twistable cables available from stock

How it works

CFRobot cables

CFRobot

Approximately 100 different CFRobot cables are available from stock without cutting charges and minimum quantities. We also supply fully harnessed with connectors, or as a complete, ready to install readychain® system.

igus® tested

CFRobot cables testing

Cable testing

All chainflex® ROBOT cables in a triflex® R energy supply system are twisted at least 3 million times with a fixed point clearance of 1 m and a torsion of ±180°.

Visit the chainflex® test lab page to find out more information

Application example

CFRobot cables

Complete and reliable.

Highly flexible triflex® R robot e-chain® and the matching, long-lasting chainflex® CFRobot torsion cables

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Sample order

triflex® R sample request

Request banderole sample

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