Innovative cable carriers from Kabelschlepp Metool

'Two-component' stands for the combination of two elements with different properties: a stiff carrier body with soft crossbars.

Swivelling crossbars

The body of the cable carrier is made of special fibre-reinforced plastic. This economical yet very high-quality GRP compound allows for an easy carrier design with extra high stability. The unsupported length of Easytrax is almost double that of cable chains made of conventional materials. The chain links are clipped together to give the required length. The carrier body has flexible lamella-like crossbars of an elastic yet durable material. The cable carrier is quickly loomed with cables by simply stripping them in. This not only reduces assembly time, it also simplifies and speeds up any cable replacement.

When cables are pressed in, the flexible crossbars swivel out forward instead of downward in this lamella stay system. This means that the compartment of the carrier remains clear and no space is blocked by a crossbar folding down. Furthermore, the forward-swivelling lamella crossbars allow the use of divider systems for separating the cables. Again, stays that fold inward into the carrier compartment are blocked by the divider and do not allow sufficient space for placing cable. Because of the special overlapping shape, the stays rest firmly on the chain link and guarantee safe routing of cable.

Lateral stability

To prevent links snapping out and to achieve high lateral stability of the cable carrier, the link stops are locked in the bend radius and in the pre-tension stop.

In the type 30 design, the lamella crossbars open to the outer radius, and to the inside the radius in type 40 design. For Easytrax, end connectors are available with integrated strain relief comb to enable cables to be fixed quickly and reliably. Different connection variants are possible by simply changing the connectors. Because of integrated noise damping, the carrier runs very quietly and the small pitch results in very smooth operation.

Quicktrax

With new Quicktrax, Kabelschlepp Metool is presenting the next generation of compact and economical plastic carriers. Like Easytrax, Quicktrax features innovative two-component technology for fast routing of cables.

With a new crossbar system with elastic film hinges, the carrier can be quickly and easily opened for routing and replacing cables. The cable carrier runs exceptionally quietly due to the integrated noise damping; the small pitch results in very smooth operation.

Due to the use of flexible material and special geometry, the crossbars can be unlocked with a single manual operation. They can be closed just as quickly. No additional tools are required for looming the cable carrier, and the handling only requires a screw driver.

Depending on the application, the crossbars open in the outer radius (type 30 design) or in the inner radius (type 40 design). The other side of the crossbar is moulded to the chain link. It remains firmly attached to the carrier body even when it is open during the laying process, which prevents it from being lost.

The body of the cable carrier is based on that of the new Easytrax cable carrier, with chain links manufactured from glass-reinforced polymer. This economical yet high-quality material provides extra high rigidity, which allows unsupported travel 'without sagging' to be almost double that of carriers made of conventional material. The fixed chain links are placed one on top of the other and clipped together, allowing the length that is specified for the application to be achieved by simply pressing them together. In combination with the innovative crossbar system, this results in an very strong but practical cable carrier with a high degree of torsional rigidity for high travel speeds.

For reliable routing and separation of the cables, Kabelschlepp also offers designs with divider systems. The special wrap-around shaping, makes dividers stay firmly in the chain link thus ensuring reliable cable management.

Stops are locked in the bend radius and in the pre-tension stop. This prevents snapping in these areas and gives the high lateral stability of the cable carrier, making Quicktrax suitable for arrangements where the carrier is running on its side. End connectors are available with integrated strain relief, on which the cables can be quickly and reliably fixed. Different connection variants are possible by simply changing the connectors.

Uniflex Advanced

In addition to new Easytrax and Quicktrax, the all-round Uniflex Advanced series is available in all sizes. Uniflex has been improved to be quieter, lighter and more effective.

Part of the standard Kabelschlepp range of products, the economical Uniflex range of cable carriers has a double stop system for long unsupported travel. This cable carrier with diverse opening and covering variants has proven its practical application with numerous customers. There is a wide range of applications for Uniflex carriers with their fixed chain widths: whether used on container lifting equipment in ports, on roll neck milling machines in machine tooling and special machine building, panel beam saws or edge gluing machines for wood processing, on milling and drilling centres for window construction, packaging machines or assembly platforms.

Even proven products should be state-of-the-art and offer the potential for increasing effectiveness. New Uniflex Advanced is characterised by its optimised carrier geometry. The carrier has become lighter with even higher torsional rigidity, and it withstands acceleration of up to 10m/s2. The cable carrier is especially quiet in operation thanks to its integrated damping system with innovative damping elements. It is therefore suitable for strict noise protection requirements, making a significant contribution to reducing the noise emissions of an entire system.

All variants are equipped with an efficient ball joint mechanism, allowing quick opening to either left and right by simply rotating it outward and swivelling up. The cross stays can be opened outward (type 30 design) or inward (type 40 design), depending on access needs. When open, the crossbar remains on the chain link; this simplifies handling, saves time and prevents the crossbar from getting lost. In case it is necessary to remove the crossbar from the chain link, it can be completely detached simply by turning it. The new Uniflex generation is also available with a closed frame (type 020 design). A design with one-piece solid plastic chain links provides even greater rigidity, and is especially suitable for extreme loads, such as hydraulic hoses with small bend radii. It is also very cost-effective.