Tsubaki Kabelschlepp re-invents the cable drag chain again

Tsubaki Kabelschlepp is one of the world's leading suppliers of cable carriers, guideway protection and conveyor systems. Founded as a small start-up nearly 60 years ago, the company has since become a global player, with foreign representations and subsidiaries in over 50 countries. KABELSCHLEPP cable carrier systems are in use around the world, ranging from standard applications to such complex applications as industrial robots, offshore oil rigs and the space shuttle.

Tsubaki Kabelschlepp therefore has developed an impressive solution for these types of environments with their cable carrier TKA55. The closed plastic cable carrier was also awarded the Eco-Link label of excellence, and fulfils the very strict environmental compatibility standards of Tsubaki Group. The all-round closed structure of the TKA cable carriers effectively prevents the intrusion of contamination particles into the cable space, and allows for reliable protection right up to the connection area. For this special design the TKA received the IF product design award 2013.

Inventor of the Foundation of cable carrier 1953 chain
KABELSCHLEPP GmbH 1954

The latest novelty in the cable carrier product range is the award winning TKA, a cable and hose carrier that was developed specifically for use in environments with heavy contamination from chips and dirt. The need for a new type of cable carrier like this is obvious: wood, metal or plastic chips entering into the cable space of cable and hose carriers can quickly result in costly problems. Carriers wear faster, the service life of the routed cables and hoses is shortened, and the availability of the entire machine or system is failure.

The innovative design of the TKA contains an optimised sideband and cover contours which effectively prevent functional faults caused by chips and dirt entering into or sticking to the cable carrier. The compact new cover design fits seamlessly into one another and reach over the sidebands to form a compact, closed unit. The covers can be opened and removed easily on the inside or outside to load the cable carriers. The interior of the TKA55 can be modularly partitioned with various divider solutions for even cable distribution.

The TKA offers secure hold even under severe mechanical stresses, e.g., when used with hydraulic lines. The smooth, dirt-repellent contour of the sidebands with their encapsulated stroke system prevents the entry of any foreign objects. The TKA55 cable carriers are particularly tight and therefore reliably protect cables and hoses from dust, dirt, chips and spray water right up to the connection area in accordance with protection class IP54.The tightness of the TKA55 was tested and attested in accordance with IP54 by the German Technical Inspection Authority T?? Nord. With this attest in accordance with IP54 the user receives comprehensive protection from all-round spray water and dust entering in harmful quantities, along with complete contact protection.

In addition, the optimised geometry of the TKA chain links and a triple encapsulated stroke system allows the TKA55 to span extensive unsupported sections. The integrated gliding surfaces make the cable carrier the ideal solution for long travel lengths. Integrated noise damping ensures that the cable carrier is running silently and with low vibration at all times. The closed cable carrier is available in over 300 varieties with interior widths between 15 mm and 175 mm.

Generally speaking cable carriers are a smart solution to ensure the safe guidance of cables and hoses.

Here is what it's all about: the use of TKA cable carriers is advantageous in industries like:

• Machine tools
• Metal-cutting manufacturing
• Steel mills, and
• Wood processing industry.

Apart from the TKA, Tsubaki Kabelschlepp offers a wide range of cable carriers made from steel or plastic or so called hybrid carriers where both materials are combined. It is the company's philosophy to provide individual solutions which are suitable for every specific application. What's more, the portfolio of Tsubaki Kabelschlepp contains guideway protection systems, conveyor systems, machine housings and TraxLine electrical cables, which are specially designed for use in cable carriers. An important, constantly growing market are the TotalTrax turn-key systems - complete, fully-harnessed cable carriers.

This Plug-and-Play-system complies with the increasing demand from the industry for Plug-and-Play-systems where installation and handling are done in next to no time. The reason cable carriers get more and more popular are their convincing features:

Characteristics and advantages of cable carriers

• Cable drag chains are an integrated part of the machine or a material handling equipment which gives uninterrupted supply of power, data and control signals to the machinery, and
• They also convey media like air, fluid and water in large diameter hoses.

Conventional systems which can be replaced by cable carrier systems. Advantages compared with festoon systems:

• Shorter cable lengths
• No cable trolleys/rollers needed, which are prone to failure
• No gang way required for maintenance
• No station for cable looping needed
• Cheaper cables/easier cable replacement
• Ability to carry different media
• No speed limit, and
• Cables can't entangle anymore.

Advantages compared with cable reeling drum

• No extra power required as in motorized drums
• Cheaper composite cables
• Ability to handle different medias such as hoses and cables in one carrier, and
• No speed limit.

Advantages compared with Bus Bar System

• Suitable for explosion proof areas as no sparks are generated
• No reduced efficiency due to dust (carbon brushes)
• Easier system upgradation
• Low maintenance level, and
• Lower traction load on the motor due to Non continuous supply.

Advantages of using cable carriers over conventional systems

• Short cable lengths
• Long cable service life
• No direct exposure of cables to environment
• No running or maintenance cost
• Only one system for conveying different media
• Easy to assemble/dis- assemble and maintain, and
• Reduced noises.

Kabelschlepp India Private Limited (a member of the TSUBAKI Group), Bangalore. Tel: 080-41158997. Fax: 91-80-41158998. Email: india@kabelschlepp.in