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On automated equipment, cable carriers direct and safeguard cables and hoses. They keep hoses and cables from getting tangled, getting broken by debris, or getting in the way of a machine's function. A cable carrier system can be used in any application that involves continuous repetitive action on moving machinery, including gantry robots, press-transfer systems, multiaxis robots, machine tools, machining centers, and turning and grinding machines.

A cable carrier could initially appear to be a somewhat simple component of an automated system. The significance of choosing the appropriate cable carrier, however, becomes evident when you take into account the tendency toward quicker speeds, greater accelerations, and larger loads.

Cable management solutions, the sheer volume of designs and choices can be daunting. This is why it is critical to have a fundamental awareness of the numerous cable carrier types that are available, as well as their distinct benefits and drawbacks.

Choosing between using a plastic or steel cable carrier is one important choice. Steel's ability to tolerate high temperatures is its primary benefit. Steel cable carriers are the only choice for temperatures above 260 degrees Fahrenheit, while plastic cable carriers may withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees.

With this exception, the majority of applications can be served by plastic cable carriers. Additionally, plastic carriers are lightweight and resistant to UV radiation, chemicals, and corrosion, allowing for higher cycles, faster speeds, and higher production throughput.

Types of Cable Carriers

Selecting the right cable carrier style is another crucial choice. Crossbars are formed directly into the basic nonopening design into the links on the side. This low-cost, extremely basic design works well for modest applications. It is crucial to remember that once this carrier is fitted, cables and hoses cannot be quickly or easily accessed. Rather, one end of the cables and hoses needs to be fed in. Retrofitting conduits can be time-consuming because of this, particularly if they include connectors on the end.

An opening crossbar is a feature of the next cable carrier level. With the help of hinged lids (Figure 1), crossbars can be fully removed to provide access to cables and hoses and opened from the inside or outside diameter with just a screwdriver. Compared to cable carriers that do not open, this kind typically offers a greater selection of mounting brackets and separators.

Another kind of cable carrier has a flexible, split crossbar that makes it possible to insert conduits straight into the cable carrier without the need for any tools, thus flexible cable carriers are needed. When retrofitting cables and hoses, this saves time. However, only lightweight cable packages and trips shorter than 10 feet should employ the split-crossbar design due to its limited span and load capability.

Crossbars in another easy-open design connect to one another in a manner similar to a zipper. To provide complete access to cables and hoses, these can be manually removed as a separate component. Applications requiring transport distances under six feet are best suited for this kind of cable carrier.

Igus Energy chains are mechanical machine components, sometimes known as cable carriers, e-chains, or cable drag chains. They are employed to direct and safeguard signals, data, and energy that must endure the widest range of environmental effects. The symbiosis of the components moving against one another is the key factor in cable guides. They consist of guiding troughs, strain relief devices, wires, hoses, and internal separation components.