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Message |
    
vadeem
Registered
Username: Vid1900
Post Number: 27
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 10:13 pm: | 
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What size E chain is required for the MechMate?
I see in the catalog they have sizes 3/4" to 5" wide.
Thanks |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 638
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 11:42 pm: |
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Below is a reference to the one I used. I think it is 100mm wide by 36mm high.
But I believe that IGUS is over-rated and over-priced. There must be cheaper versions out there. Google "cable chain" or "drag chain" or "cable drag chain". |
Evan Curtis
Registered
Username: Evan
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 05:54 pm: |
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Gerald,
Where did you get your E-chain and which brand and model #? I'm thinking it's time to straighten out that rat's nest of wires hanging off the X-gantry. I suppose I'm being the lazy American by asking you, what can I say?
By the way I just wanted to say I appreciate all you've contributed over the years. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 296
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 06:14 pm: |
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Lazy is not one of the words I use....
| Main chain | | Igus | 250.09.100.0 | | | $60/meter | | Mounting Brackets | | Igus | 2090.12PZB | | | $12/pair | |
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Evan Curtis
Registered
Username: Evan
Post Number: 13
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 06:26 pm: |
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Thanks for the information and for not using the word (or words) you would use. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 851
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 10, 2007 - 07:52 pm: |
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The cable chain is still a headache for me - simply because IGUS prices are so crazily high.
Does anyone know of more economical alternatives? |
David Rosenbleeth
Registered
Username: Dave_r
Post Number: 19
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 10, 2007 - 11:19 pm: |
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I recently got more than enough for my Y straight from Igus for $65.00. For around $180. I could have gotten enough for both x and y. Their rep was very helpful. I think it was the 1 3/4" x 1" (internal space) chain with the flip open tops so I didn't have to rerun hardly any cables. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 858
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 05:41 pm: |
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David, that is affordable. The Igus office here doesn't have a wide selection, and I think you will agree that $20 per foot is too much. Have you perhaps got part numbers? or a number molded into the links? |
David Rosenbleeth
Registered
Username: Dave_r
Post Number: 20
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 07:28 pm: |
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Gerald:
The part number is 240-05-075 for the chain and 2050-34PZB for the brackets.
This is their E-2 chain. |
DocTanner
Registered
Username: Doctanner
Post Number: 33
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 02:37 am: |
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Reza,
This is more than enough Cable carrier to do a 4X8 Mechmate. You will have to fabricate your own support brackets and attachments.
From www.mcmaster.com
2 sets - 4516T283 (Same as 4516T28)
Open Feed-Through Style Cable & Hose Carrier 1.38" H X 3.66" W Overall Sz, 3.94" Bend Radius, 6'L
In stock at $92.16 Each
2 sets 4556T582 (Same as 4556T58)
Mounting Bracket for Cable and Hose Carrier Open Style, 1.38" H X 3.66" W Overall
In stock at $9.68 per Set
While you are ordering you might want to get these:
1 package 9654K324
Steel Extension Spring 4-1/8" Length, 9/16" OD, .08" Wire
In stock at $12.14 per Pack
This product is sold in Packs of 6
In stock at $12.14 per Pack
9416K181 (Same as 9416K18)
1 each - Gas Spring with Threaded Ends 20 Force, 18.22" Extended Length, 7.87" Stroke
In stock at $12.46 Each <--- I'm using 3 1/2hp Milwaukee Router
DocTanner |
Hugo Carradini
Registered
Username: Hugotel
Post Number: 26
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 03:06 am: |
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Last year I buy some stuff to Mcmaster for building a prototype, then a couple month later I tried to get some other stuff and they answer that not selling any more to outside the United States only to old customer. I don't understand because I have my stuff send to and address In Miami. they don't have to shipped overseas. Then some friend living in Panama had the same answer.
Just for warning or maybe is a new policy to South America. |
reza forushani
Registered
Username: Reza
Post Number: 21
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 03:56 am: |
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Thanks Doc
Let me understand. Do I not need two chains for the -axis, one for each side, and then one for the gantry(y-axis). So, I need 3. Right? |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 860
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 07:01 am: |
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Reza, because e-chain is so expensive here, we only have one chain on the gantry. Under the x-axis we have a hanging loop.
But, if you can afford e-chain for the x-axis, you only need one. The wires to the other x-motor go through the gantry - through the big holes in parts 10-20-456.
Total number of e-chains = 2 (max) |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 862
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 07:49 am: |
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I think the Igus part no., of the chain that Doc got from McMaster, is 200-07-100-0, but you need to specify the length if buying from Igus. Length is half travel distance plus 16" for the curve:
And you definitely need those end mounting brackets - one set per chain. Igus number: 2070-12 (we discarded the "tie-wraps" (ZB part?)) |
reza forushani
Registered
Username: Reza
Post Number: 24
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 08:48 am: |
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Thanks, if it helps we can purchase e-chain here in the us and ship to you. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 864
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 09:25 am: |
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Thanks for the kind offer Reza - sometime we may take you up on it. (PS. I am supposed to be in Atlanta for the WasteExpo in May)
If I were buying from Kabelschlepp (the original cable chain inventors), I would probably select: Plastitrak 450.60 KR3.70 with a set of simple end brackets.
I have clip-open links, but we are not packing tightly into the chain and it turned out that we fed the cables through without opening the links. Realise that the diagrams show top opening links, but in reality half the chain is upside down (on a tray/support) making the opening impractical. Thus, opening links are a luxury that can be dispensed for better price, if applicable. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 865
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 09:58 am: |
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An option from Italy, www.brevettistendalto.it, represented worldwide. There I might go for SR325060100.....
Another German option, www.murrplastik.com represented worldwide, maybe the MP26 0260 062 095 0000
In India, Kumbhojkar™ Plastic Moulders model DC-4 |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 868
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 03:22 pm: |
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Why doesn't the cable chain run all the way from B:.....
.....because that will be a waste of expensive chain. There is a separate thread for the section A-B.
However, the cable chain needs something to lie on between A and S. The cable chain producers talk of trays, but trays collect dust. We have joy from a single 8mm [5/16"] steel round bar running parallel to and under the center of the chain.
Once I have a better idea which chains and perforated trays are available to all of you, I will do some drawings on the bracketry for hanging this all off the one side of the gantry. Our brackets are attached to the gantry tubes with self-tapping screws. (No welding or paint damage required) |
Pascal Riendeau
Registered
Username: Paco
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 02:32 am: |
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Hi all! Hey Gerald!
I've just registered (after months of spying on you all! Hi, hi!) and just want to say hello first... OK, now that it's done lets move on.
Here's what I've done on my tool. It's rather simple yet very efficient. I'm very happy with it and way proud to finally post about it after several requests for details and pictures.
Let me know what you think! |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 928
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 06:51 am: |
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Welcome Pascal!
Our friend here has a low ceiling above his ShopBot, so he had to find a flat route for his dust hose as well. Click on his link to see a lot more. |
J.R. Hatcher
Registered
Username: Jr_hatcher
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 06:43 pm: |
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does anyone know what the radius of the e-chain needs to be. it is important so it will lay flat. i am making some and will share with everyone if it works. thanks |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1310
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 08:14 pm: |
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Not sure I understand your question....
The cable chain must:
- prevent the cables from bending tighter than about 75-100mm [3-4"] radius
- not stretch/shorten the cable as it works (the cable passes through the center of the hinges - Pascal's system stretches the cable as it straightens out) |
60. Cable Management & Wiring