Igus Qualifies Halogen-Free Cables For IPA Dry Cleanrooms

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Igus Qualifies Halogen-Free Cables For IPA Dry Cleanrooms

Igus Qualifies Halogen-Free Cables For IPA Dry Cleanrooms

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Feb 25,26

Igus becomes the first supplier to certify halogen-free chainflex TPE cables for IPA dry cleanroom Classes 4 and 5, supporting automated battery production with a four-year service life guarantee.

Igus Qualifies Halogen-Free Cables For IPA Dry Cleanrooms

As demand for dry cleanrooms increases worldwide, driven by the need for automated and cost-effective production, igus has had its halogen-free chainflex TPE cables certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) in accordance with dry cleanroom Classes 4 and 5. This provides customers in highly automated battery production with energy management solutions backed by a guaranteed service life of up to four years.

Clean production conditions are essential in lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Moisture, dust and particle emissions can impair quality and shorten product service life. Dry cleanrooms typically operate at relative humidity levels below one per cent or only a few ppm of water content to protect hygroscopic materials, such as electrolytes in battery cells, from chemical reactions. However, not all machine components can withstand these demanding conditions.

“A lot of components are susceptible to wear due to the dry air, so they have to be replaced within a very short time,” says Kira Weller, Product Manager e-chains and Cleanroom Expert at igus. “To ensure that our cable guide systems meet the requirements of the dry environment, we are working together with the Fraunhofer IPA to develop and certify our motion plastics for use in dry cleanrooms.”

The certification now covers 238 chainflex cables. “They are our high-end TPE cables that have been specifically developed and tested for use in energy chains. The range includes control, bus, motor, robot, servo and measuring system cables,” explains Rainer Rössel, Head of Business Unit chainflex Cables at igus.

The cables were extensively tested in igus’ 5,500 sq m laboratory in Cologne before undergoing long-term testing at Fraunhofer IPA, where they achieved dry cleanroom Classes 4 and 5. The certification guarantees low particulate emissions under long-term stress and reliable material resistance in dry environments, both essential for modern automation solutions in battery production.

“The collaboration with Fraunhofer IPA gives our customers the certainty that our solutions work reliably even under the most stringent conditions,” says Rössel. The specially developed halogen-free TPE outer sheath ensures maximum cleanliness and durability. igus also provides a four-year guarantee on all its products supported by service life calculations.

The TPE cables are catalogue parts available from stock starting at one metre without cutting charges. igus waives minimum quantity surcharges and packaging costs.

In addition to chainflex cables, the certified igus portfolio includes energy chains in the E6, e-skin soft, e-skin flat and easy chain E14 series. These are also certified for cleanroom Class 4 and are suitable for battery production, semiconductor manufacturing and other sensitive industrial sectors where cleanliness and durability are critical.