Sensor actuator cable flexes 60 million times

The new flexible cable has a highly wear-resistant, gusset-filled, extruded TPE outer jacket, is oil-resistant, resistant to UV radiation and PVC and halogen-free. It has already been subjected to tests in the igus in-house laboratory, in which it achieved more than 60 million cycles inside an Energy Chain without any damage to the cables.

The cable was specially developed to offer very small cross-sections with tight bend radii and has a much higher service life than that of a normal copper cable, or cables with a braided shield design. The CF98 cable’s conductor is alloyed in such a way that the risk of fatigue fractures - such as those that often occur with pure copper - is much reduced.

igus specialises in cables for dynamic applications, for example in an Energy Chain, and has been supplying its CF9 sensor cable series for around 20 years. For more than two years, these have been available with moulded M8 and M12 plugs with IP67 protective rating.

Pick and place machines and PCB production often involve humid and cramped conditions, combined with ever increasing numbers of cycles. With advanced extrusion methods for both plugs and cable materials and anti-kink protection, Chainflex CF98.INI is now certified with IP67, even under high loads.

The CF98 series is available ex-stock as an individual cable and with a comprehensive range of moulded, straight or angled plugs.

igus will be exhibiting on stand E44 in hall 25 at the EMO show 17-22 September 2007.