Metal cable-guidance systems are typically difficult to assemble, heavy, and prone to corrosion. igus, with U.S. headquarters in East Providence, R.I., developed the guidelite guide trough for plastic energy chains in 2015 to offer an alternative that was lightweight, easy to assemble, and cost-effective. “This year, we have further improved the system with a new, […]
Automation
Ethernet cable for flex and twist applications
LUTZE, Charlotte, N.C., is introducing two shielded MOTIONFLEX Ethernet cables with a teal TPE jacket, cataloged as A1040020 CAT5E SF/UTP (4 × 2 × AWG24) and A1040030 CAT6A SF/UTP (4 × 2 × AWG24). Suitable applications for the products include moderate linear flexing and torsion (± 270°), free flexing, and static installations, according to the […]
HARTING downsizes electrical connections and optical transmission
Electric motors are indispensable to industrial drive technology and today’s automated production processes. At constant speeds, their control is quite simple. However, it is often necessary to regulate the motor speed, which adds a layer of complexity. Speed regulation in the larger power classes is handled with IGBT semiconductors. These devices can switch large loads […]
Servo and feedback cables UL-approved to 90°C
HELUKABEL, with U.S. operations based in Elgin, Ill., just announced it is upgrading the entire TOPSERV and TOPGEBER product portfolio from 80°C to 90°C UL styles. Servo and feedback cables with higher heat resistance benefit from a longer service life, making them preferred in motor environments. Tests confirm that the conductor insulation maintained excellent thermal […]
Industrial-grade cable for servomotors
Lapp Group USA, Florham Park, N.J., has introduced its ÖLFLEX SERVO 7TCE, a highly flexible, oil-resistant servo cable with TC-ER approval. Because it is suitable for use directly on industrial machines and in cable trays, this new cable eliminates the need for two different kinds of cable or the use of conduit in run. According […]
LUTZE introduces teal Ethernet Cat5e cable for industrial automation
Data transmission is critical for success in today’s manufacturing environment. LUTZE’s new flexible Cat5e AWM 600-V Ethernet cable (part#104349) is engineered to protect data from harmful interference ensuring uninterrupted data transmission and long term network reliability. This new cable adds a teal colored, foil and braid shielded, 4-pair Cat5e offering to LUTZE’s product line to […]
AutomationDirect adds continuous flexing industrial Cat5e Ethernet cable
DataMax Extreme Ethernet cable from Quabbin has a specially designed jacket developed to survive the many industrial hazards that commercial jackets will not. The DataMax cable jacket is pressure extruded over the cable core, “locking” the conductor pairs in place. This type of jacket construction provides very stable electrical performance, even when impacted, bent, or […]
Talc-free flat cables from Cicoil are designed for motion applications
For motion applications that require flexible and lightweight cable designs, Cicoil offers highly flexible flat cables as the healthy alternative to round PVC cables that contain talcum powder/talc. Talc contains toxins and irritants which contaminate sensitive environments and can be difficult to work with during the cable termination process. Unfortunately, many round cables manufactured with […]
igus Chainflex sample box: what’s inside?
In our newest Product Spotlight video on the Design World Channel, I teamed up with Associate Editor Mike Santora to take a peek inside igus’ Chainflex cables sample box, which has been designed to help electrical engineers specify the most effective cable for their demanding motion control applications. Included are samples of the German manufacturer’s Chainflex […]
What is cable corkscrewing?
Cable corkscrewing is exactly what it sounds like—damage to a cable that causes it to look just like a corkscrew, with small tight twists rather than a circular, smooth design. It occurs most often in motion applications, where constant flexing and repetitive motions can cause stress and deform the cable, often destroying the core. As […]