Igus energy tubes protect cables and hoses

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Igus has introduced the fully enclosed RX E-Tube for cable and hose protection, which is said to be well suited to short, self-supporting lengths such as those found inside machine tools.

The Igus RX range features smooth, domed outer contours for maximum protection against debris and chips accumulation, as well as dust, dirt, oil, high humidity levels and temperature extremes.

With the Igus RX E-Tube, all chips, whether coarse or tiny, fall off so that cables and hoses have maximum protection

The covered pin/bore connections and stop dogs are concealed on the inside of the E-Tube to further protect against chip penetration.

Despite its impermeability, the RX E-Tube is easy to open and includes an inner separation system that has been optimised to reduce abrasion on the cables to a minimum.

The original RX40 has an interior height of 52mm, and the enlarged range now includes the RX48 (62mm inner height) and RX56 (73mm inner height).

The tubes lids are opened in the outer radius using a flat screwdriver and turning the clip locks anti-clockwise by 180deg.

The separation system has three vertical separators and a horizontal shelf for the safe and separate routing of cables and hoses.

Since the cables remain accessible at all times with the RX E-Tubes, maintenance and machine downtimes are kept to a minimum.

Custom solutions are also available to satisfy small reverse bending radius and high-temperature conditions.

Made of Igumid HT material, the high-temperature option ensures that even red-hot chips, up to 850C, fall off without damage to the E-Tube.

The RX E-Tubes can be delivered directly to the machine as 'Readychains', assembled to size and fitted with cables and hoses, suitable connectors and even a new guide rail.

Igus will be exhibiting at Mach 2010, which runs from 7-11 June at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, in hall 5 on stand number 5679, where examples of Igus RX40 and Readychains will be on display.

Igus engineers will be on hand at the event to discuss energy chain and polymer bearing requirements, as well as demonstrating the latest products.

Source: Engineering Talk