Cable Carrier for Woodworking Machine Tool

Individual solutions through collaborative project management

The company’s goal is to manufacture top-quality machines which function smoothly. To optimize costs, the company increasingly relies on system suppliers. Together with igus®, a solution was planned for three different CNC machines to supply the X and Y axis with energy and signals. readychain® is a pre-assembled cable carrier system with chainflex® cables laid in and all connectors labeled. igus® was able to offer a guaranteed delivery time.

There is little space available and the cables are extremely stressed due to complex movements. Feed rates are at 328 ft/min and the travel length at 13 to 20 ft. Drilling speed is 24,000 revolutions. The cable carriers had to be quick to install and maintenance-free. In addition, it had to be able to withstand chips and dust. For this reason, the cable carriers are supplied as completely enclosed energy tubes, which are completely immune to flying debris and woodchips.

Pre-assembled cable carrier system for machining center

Halved installation times

To supply the two axles of the stationary machines, the choice fell on energy tubes. Thus a requirement of the American market could be met. The chip-repellant outer contour and encapsulated or enclosed stop dogs provide a comprehensive protection to the cables and hoses. By the well-proportioned inner and outer dimensions, they can be installed in minimum space. The around 23 chainflex® cables – servo- and data cables, control and fiber-optic cables – are designed for international application and conform to the UL requirements.

Far more than 150 machines have already been equipped with the system solution. The processing times have been almost halved.

High stress from chips and dust