Bus system problems can occur during twisting applications in energy chains, particularly with shielded data cables, because the shields can become damaged and open up. This is not the case with fibre optic cables, as these do not have a mechanically vulnerable shield braid, and they are insensitive to EMC while transferring high-speed bus signals over distances of up to 400m. Following extensive tests, Igus is now launching the Chainflex CF Robot-LWL twistable fibre-optic cable for 3D movements in energy chains to keep bus systems working reliably.
The new twistable TPE fibre-optic cable makes high data rates possible and can be routed directly alongside high-capacity electrical power cables. Its design uses a specially twist-optimised design, and the strong fibre-optic cable is robust even with rotation angles of 180 degrees - as might be encountered on a robot arm, for example.
Igus has been running tests on the new fibre-optic cable in its technical centre for more than 1million double cycles. There is no change to the high data transfer rates even at a twist of 360 degrees. The fibre-optic cable has a two-fibre core and is resistant to oil, bio-oil and UV light, while also remaining flexible at low temperatures. The fibre-optic cables with high-tensile aramid fibres and dampers are stranded firmly around a GRP core. A pressure-extruded outer sheath is made from a halogen-free TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) mixture. The cable is suitable for highly dynamic indoor and outdoor applications at temperatures from -20 to +60degC.
Chainflex CF Robot-LWL has a fibre diameter of 50/125um and can be used with almost all high-speed data protocols, including GigE, FireWire IEEE 1394a/b and USB. This covers a wide range of energy chain applications such as in robots and machine tools where, for example, vision technology plays an important role. This helps to meet the increasingly demanding requirements in areas such as quality control monitoring and measuring.
Follow the link for more information about Chainflex CF Robot-LWL.