Cable chain - E-Chain sizes & sources

[Hugo Carradini]

Gerald the chain track is from Igus. I buy in MSC http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/GSDRVS...00000029449345 and http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/GSDRVS...00000029449707 .
Yes, you are right. I was so exited about the cable track, the cables and the idea that the "moment" was getting closer that stop thinking and that is the result. Any way, this will be my learning machine (I have welded and unwelded, painted and repainted many times that I will just leave it that way for the moment) . I am committed to have the "beast" cutting on Monday.

Gerald, This are the MSC Catalog #04234639 and 04234654 for the cable chain and the bracket.

[Gerald D]

The x-axis chain carries only 2 more cables then the y-axis chain - it might as well be the same size. My current suggestion on cable chain suppliers and part numbers in the USA:

Igus part 20-2-075-0 .98H x 1.5W x 2.95R. End bracket set 202-12

McMAster-Carr 4516T22 0.98H x 1.5W x 3.94R (next smaller R is too small) $73.80 per 6' without end brackets - $9.68 per set of brackets (4556T56)

MSC 04234662 0.98H x 2.24W x 4.92R (next smaller R is too small) $99.76 per 6' assembly including end brackets. 4.92R is too big

Please check my numbers carefully.

[Gerald D]

Sizing the cable chain . . . . . .

The ShopBotters looked for a big cable chain because they have unscreened cables and want a big distance between the cables. We can go to a neater bundle. The thickest cables are for the 110V countries. Here are the outside diameters of the typical cables in the chain: source

4x Motor cables (M), 4 core, 1.0mm2 [18 AWG], diam.: 7.3mm [0.287"] (only 2 motor cables in Y-chain)
1x Router cable (R), 3 cores (maybe 2 only) 2.5mm2 [14 AWG], diam.: 8.9mm [0.35"]
1 Signals cable (S), 7 core, 0.5mm2 [21 AWG], diam.: 7.5mm [0.295"]
1 E-stop/aux. mains cable (E), 4 core, 0.5mm2 [21 AWG], 6.5mm [0.256"]
1 Ground cable (G), single core, say OD of 6mm [0.25"]
1 Air hose maybe one day - say OD 18mm [3/4"]

Drawn to scale, this is what happens with the suggested Igus part 20-2-075-0 .98H x 1.5W x 2.95R from above:

Attachment 567

The shelf and bracketry for the X-chain (10 60 210 and 10 20 457) will take either the 38 or 57mm [1.5" or 2.2"] wide chains.

The Y-chain fittings are designed for the 38mm [1.5"] wide chain only

No problem to use 38mm [1.5"] chain on both axes for economy . . . . things like air hoses can be dropped from the ceiling, or a couple of other routes. (air hoses are tougher and cheaper than our cables!)

[Gerald D]

In the recommendation of post #34 I said:
" . . . . Igus part 20-2-075-0 .98H x 1.5W x 2.95R. . . . . . . (or)
. . . . . McMAster-Carr 4516T22 0.98H x 1.5W x 3.94R (next smaller R is too small)"
From this can be deduced we want a radius of about 3" or bigger. This comes from a cable supplier like Ölflex wanting a bend radius of bigger than 6X the OD of the cable. This 0.98H x 1.5W chain can also be found at various suppliers at 2.1" radius but many cable suppliers won't be happy with that. The 3" to 4" range of radius is about right. The brackets are designed at the 3" point - for 4", the bracket on the y-car needs to be slightly bent up.