igus has announced a self-supporting twisterchain energy chain for cable management on compact industrial robots with rotation angles of more than 600°. The rotary module sits in a sag around the robot base and lifts step by step to a new level as the robot rotates, supporting 360° rotation without contacting the connector plate.
The product addresses two robotics applications. On compact robots used for screwing, gluing, assembly, and pick-and-place tasks, it provides energy supply along the fast-rotating first axis. On the fifth axis of palletizing robots, it helps prevent corrugated hoses from colliding with the tool. In both cases, the chain uses defined two-level movement so power and data cables can follow full rotations during dynamic motion profiles.
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Simplified cable management
The self-supporting twisterchain system requires two connection points for installation and does not require guide troughs or complex alignment. The chains open at the inner radius for cable insertion, include interior separation with removable shelves and provide adjustable pretension that can be set according to cable weight and rotation angle.
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Key specifications include:
- Rotation angle of over 600°
- Unsupported design — no guide trough or trough system required
- Chain can be opened on the inner radius for easier cable insertion
- Cables easily accessible for servicing
- Shelves included for separating cables or hoses
- Axis 1: base of small industrial robots; mountable on the floor or a raised plinth
- Axis 5: palletizing and handling robots; mountable on robot arm or end-of-arm tool
- Recyclable at end of life through igus recycling program
