We also test cables exclusively – because it helps everyone
igu-blog-adm | 10. June 2020
Many years of experience are now behind us. Among other things, these have shown that it is important to test cables exclusively. This helps not only the customers, but also us.
Individual customer applications under test
In addition to our own requirements regarding the durability of the cables, users often have their own special ideas and wishes. Cables must be able to withstand very different loads. They are often used, for example, in a wide variety of media or temperatures. Perhaps you too know the challenge of paying attention to all these details when choosing the right cable.
The range is wide in terms of bend radius, load capacity, service life and use of cables. We therefore use the laboratory not only to test our own specifications according to our standards. Also our customers sometimes use the opportunity to test customer-specific applications. Special motion sequences can thus be extensively tested and optimised before commissioning.
chainflex cables for automated storage systems
A good example of this is the use of our cables in the field of pharmacy automation. Medication comes out of the dispensing slot at the touch of a button. This is made possible by a fully automated storage system. Our cables and energy chains on the moving grippers ensure a smooth movement process here.
Due to extremely small bend radii and special movement, there was no suitable service life statement in the chainflex standard range. So appropriate tests had to be carried out in order to find a chainflex cable that would ultimately meet the special requirement profile. The customer provided two gripper systems for these tests. Then, igus supervised the test in their own laboratory.
Based on the tests carried out, the initially planned cable had to be replaced at the end with cables with different core cross sections. This enabled us to make a clear statement on the service life after the test series.
chainflex cables for car washes
Cables are also subject to very special requirements in car and train wash facilities. We have set up special tests to check the behaviour of our cables in environments with high concentrations of cleaning agents. In this test series, the chemical conditions of a car wash were simulated in continuous motion. We also tested the long-term effect on the jacket materials used to determine the service life.
Bringing news to the market
Performed tests give us and our customers a lot of information. The results constantly provide us with new insights and opportunities for improvements in our customers’ plant. However, they not only provide a clear service life statement for the customer’s application, but also fulfil an important task in the assessment of the life cycle costs of a machine.
We set ourselves the goal of finding the best possible and most cost-effective solution for our customers that works. Do you also have very special requirements? Would you also like to test cables exclusively? Together, we will help you to develop a solution.