The Cologne-based motion plastics specialist igus operates the largest testing laboratory in the industry with a floor area of 2,750 sq m, where all products have to pass various tests. There, more than 3,000 basic and user-specific tests are performed annually for energy chain systems alone in 180 test facilities under real conditions.
These include tests at various temperatures and pressures, or even in contact with chemical substances. Tests are, for example, also conducted in the special noise chamber. It was here that the e-spool from igus was subjected to an intensive test for its noise emissions during operation. e-spool is an alternative to conventional cable reels for very tight radii and installation spaces.
In the tests, the cable-friendly energy, data and media supply system of the latest generation has been proved extremely quiet. In particular the absence of slip rings minimises the noise development significantly in this special reel. An e-spool equipped with 'anti-vibration matting' was able to reach levels below 46dB (A) in these tests.
The tests in the igus test lab also proved the performance of the e-spool with respect to its service life. In addition to the noise emissions, this special insulated option was tested for compliance with the service life expectancy for a customer. This result was amazing: at full extension to twelve metres, the integrated return spring held the required tension of the pull-out e-chain at all times, and a maximum rotational movement of the used igus twisterband the e-spool has surpassed the required 24,000 double strokes by far, completely trouble-free.
The twisterband works as the rotating link through which the cables are routed smoothly for the chain and which allows the rotation of the reel. igus offers e-spools with one or two twisterbands, depending on the number of cables to be routed. The achievable life is dependent on the application and execution of up to about one million movements. For the model with spring reel, the spring must be replaced after 75,000 double strokes. In the e-spool power with motor drive, that is not necessary.
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