Guide data, energy, fluids and air in a very tight space with igus

by Payload Asia

Fast and smart: the micro flizz safely guides energy, data and media in a confined installation space even at high speeds. For predictive maintenance, users can now integrate the CF.D into the energy chain system. (Source: igus GmbH)

Guiding data and media in the tightest of spaces at high speeds is a major challenge for many users, for example in intralogistics. With the micro flizz, igus offers a compact energy supply system for travels up to 100 metres. It consists of an energy chain, flexible chainflex cables for tight bend radii and an aluminium guide channel. The micro flizz can now also be used with the new smart CF.D system. This monitors the data transmission characteristics of the cable in advance and promptly warns of a failure.

 

Narrow compact spaces and fast movement in lanes, such as in storage and retrieval units, are common usage scenarios for busbar systems. Their big disadvantage: they can normally only be used for energy transmission. In order to be able to supply not only energy but also data, fluids and air simultaneously in the horizontal and vertical directions, igus has developed the micro flizz energy supply system. With this, travel speeds up to 6 m/s and accelerations up to 4 m/s2 are possible. The micro flizz consists of a plastic energy chain that travels in an aluminium channel. In addition to highly flexible chainflex control, data and motor cables for tight bend radii, the energy chain can also guide hoses as well as fibre optic cable with data rates of up to 10 GBit/s. Thanks to extensive testing in the in-house 2,750 square metre test laboratory, igus provides a guaranteed service life of 36 months on all chainflex cables. If the user wants to monitor the transmission characteristics of his used bus cable, igus now offers the option of using the intelligent CF.D system in the micro flizz. The smart plastics innovation detects changes to the transmission characteristics of the cable in advance and provides timely information about an essential replacement. Therefore maintenance is planned in advance and an unexpected shutdown is avoided.

 

The main advantage of the micro flizz, in addition to the optional intelligent monitoring, is its special construction. Integrated “side wings” hold the chain firmly in the stretched condition at all times in a special groove in the upper and lower part of the channel. Together with plastic springs on the crossbars of the e-chain, they provide a soft and quiet rolling. This means the friction, wear, energy consumption and noise development are reduced significantly. Another advantage: Thanks to its modular design, the system is easily accessible and therefore easy to clean. Therefore, the use of the micro flizz is also ideal in the field of pharmacy and food production. The energy chain system is available in three different sizes depending on the diameter of the cables.