chainflex cable with an open cutaway showing the inner braided structure.

Measuring system cable for the energy chain

A measuring system cable can generally be found on any drive unit and is identified by its bright green colour.which has its origin in DESINA and has established itself beyond machine tools. Its job is encoder system signal feedback to the frequency converter. It is also called a tachometer cable or encoder cable. It contains many data cores for signal transmission. The various signals generated by the angular encoder map the exact movement of the motor and are transmitted along with this movement. As a rule, not only the data of the encoder system is transported in the cable, but also the supply of the encoder is realised.

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Chainflex CF113 cable with green jacket and exposed conductors in front of a machine.

Different designs depending on manufacturer
There are various manufacturers of measuring systems on the market. The differences between the suppliers are also reflected in the cable construction, where we are electrically identical. The core cross-section combinations, the core identification and also the element shields differ significantly depending on the manufacturer. At igus, we adjust the important elements such as outer jacket, shield, inner jacket and many more to the movement in the energy chain. This enables us to achieve optimum durability.

DriveCliq connector with green cable in front of a machine control unit.

DriveCliq - the standard from Siemens
DriveCliq is a digital encoder interface from Siemens. The standard is now open to the public and can also be used by other manufacturers. In contrast to the conventional encoders of earlier generations, this encoder system is equipped with a CAT5 Ethernet element and two stronger supply cores. As a rule, a connector solution from Yamaichi is used for the connection, which guides the data in a similar way to an RJ45 connector, but also accommodates the power contacts to the right and left of the notch. This connector face is located in an IP20 housing for the switch cabinet or an IP65 housing for the field. In the meantime, an M12 solution is also gaining acceptance because it is more robust and compact and also eliminates the need for a connection coupler, which is very expensive.

DriveCliq - the standard for the machine tool

A few years ago, there was a major changeover from conventional analogue encoder systems to the then new DriveCliq technology. Here we were able to support major customers, such as WALDRICH from Coburg, with the implementation. The challenges arose with the new connector technology in conjunction with long cable lengths. Together, we developed a solution for the extremely robust M23 round signal connector, which was significantly better than the original solution in terms of processability and data transmission. So if you are also looking for a solution that is not available in the catalogue today, come to us and we promise to take a close look at your application.

Large machining centres

Test setup with an igus energy chain and cables in a test facility.

Large machining centres

Inner jacket - why it is important during long travels and in small radii
The inner jacket between the core structure and the shield is a unique design detail in our high-end cables. It protects and guides the sensitive cores and supports the shield, which is extremely important, both during long travels and in small bend radii. This is where the most extreme forces act on the cable.

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