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Downtimes a thing of the past.

Multi-axis cable carrier for painting robot

A painting robot should function smoothly under all types of conditions. Time is money, so minimal downtimes and installation times should be a part of daily operations. After a multi-axis cable carrier system was installed on this painting robot, problem-free painting could happen with the robot available around-the-clock.

The painting robot was equipped with a triflex® R cable carrier, which replaced the previous system two years ago. The robot uses the so-called "Easy" version (TRE), which has a flexible opening flap along the length to allow cables to be quickly and easily installed. triflex® R was specifically developed with robotic applications in mind.

The original solution, a grooved hose, created continual problems - it tore time and again. Moreover, the cables were extremely strained during complex movements. Since implementing triflex® R, the painting robot has been operating without a problem.

1.2 million painted door seals

2,000 pieces are produced per shift. That's approximately 600,000 pieces every year. This means the robot with the replaced cable management system has already painted around 1.2 million seals without any failure. At acceleration rates of 31 inch/s² (800 mm/s²), the cable carrier and cables inside are extremely stressed. No compromise can be made on the speed due to the high number of pieces that need to be produced.

On top of this are the conditions in the painting cabin. Paint mist leads to heavy dirt accumulation. This settles everywhere and creates fairly extreme conditions application conditions.
cable carriers

Two cable carrier systems in operation

The painting robot has been equipped with a second TRE cable carriers system, also with a minimum bending radius of 3.4 inches (87 mm). With this additional system, a paint sprayer is operated for subtler tasks.

When the company has to replace a dirty media hose or cable, there is no problem at all. They are simply pressed in from the outside. This simple filling is due to the "Easy" design. Cables or hoses need not be routed through the chain. It has another major advantage in that the fixtures or plug connections need not be dismantled for filling.
cable carriers

272 chain links for more flexibility

The triflex® R cable carrier system comes into its own when it comes to shortening or lengthening. A screwdriver is enough to take the cable carrier apart at any point and it easily attaches back together.

The number of cable carrier links affects not only the flexibility of the entire energy supply, but also guides cables safely even around difficult geometrical shapes. 272 cable carrier links in an overall length of around 4 meters provides unlimited availability to a painting robot.

From stock components for daily operations

The triflex® R cable carrier system was tailored to meet on-site requirements in the shortest possible time using igus®’ from stock product range.

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The terms "igus", "Apiro", "chainflex", "CFRIP", "conprotect", "CTD", "drylin", "dry-tech", "dryspin", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-skin", "e-spool", "flizz", "ibow", "igear", "iglidur", "igubal", "kineKIT", "manus", "motion plastics", "pikchain", "plastics for longer life", "readychain", "readycable", "ReBeL", "speedigus", "triflex", "robolink", "xirodur", and "xiros" are legally protected trademarks of the igus® GmbH/ Cologne in the Federal Republic of Germany and where applicable in some foreign countries.

igus® GmbH points out that it does not sell any products of the companies Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsibushi, NUM,Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mention in this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH

igus inc headquarters is located at 257 Ferris Ave, Rumford, RI 02916. igus enjoyneering center is located at 2055 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Twp, MI 48302