• Igus (India) Private Limited

Data & Energy System for Fast Routing

Igus has launched at the 2016 Logimat igus the space-saving micro flizz MF10, Data and Energy system for fast routing. It consists of a plastic energy chain, flexible chainflex cables for movements with very tight bending radii and an aluminium housing. This can be used, for example, for longitudinal travels in storage and retrieval machines. It can achieve reliable data rates of 10 GBits/s, and is maintenance-free. Many bus bars are used today in the material handling industry. However, they have the disadvantage that they are only used for energy transmission. The micro flizz from igus is therefore the better alternative to supply energy, data and media at the same time, up to 100 metres horizontally. The energy chain made of plastic, which moves in a guide channel made of anodised extruded aluminium profile, has a built-in "side wing". This holds the chain firmly in the pre-tensioned position at all times in a special groove in the upper and lower part of the channel. The wings swing out automatically when the chain bends in the radius. Together with plastic springs on the crossbars of the e-chain, they provide a soft and quiet rolling, because the upper run of the chain does not rest on the lower run. This means the friction, wear, energy consumption and noise development are reduced significantly. A rolling carriage at the end of the chain acts here as a moving end. Using a counter-running arrangement, even two e-chains can run simultaneously in a guide channel in order to move still more cables. Also, pneumatic hoses, as used in storage and retrieval vehicles with pneumatic grippers, can be integrated in the micro flizz. Even travel speeds of up to 6 m/s and accelerations of up to 50 m/s2 are reliably free of trouble and maintenance, and loads up to 50 kilograms can be carried by the moving end.