Cologne-based motion plastics specialist igus presented at the 2016 Logimat the space-saving and maintenance-free micro flizz MF10, which can be used, for example, for longitudinal travels in storage and retrieval machines.

Reliable guiding of data, energy and media at 6 m/sand up to 100 metres in length in the most confined spaces – this achievement, designed as a complete and compact energy supply system, belongs to the advanced micro flizz MF10. It consists of a plastic energy chain, flexible chainflex cables for movements with very tight bending radii and an aluminium housing.

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 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.

The modular design of this complete system allows easy adaption to different applications, and the filling of the energy chain can be varied. Thus, for example, even fibre optic cables from the chainflex product range with transmission rates of more than 10 GBit/s can be routed without any problems. As on all other cables, igus also warrants a 36-month service life guarantee. 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. A virtually wear-free operation was observed in an igus in-house test with over one million double strokes, or a covered distance of 6,000 kilometres. A winner of the iF Design Award, the system is also characterised by easy installation. With the universal 3 T-groove mounting bracket, the connection is quick and user-friendly, and is exemplary in storage and retrieval systems.