Flexible cable carriers

[lamicron]

Anyone knows where can I find the flexible cable carriers, I found some at Mc master-carr but toooo expensive!!! Any other way to handle the hoses and cables?
Luis

[jimluu]

I scored some on ebay for real cheap. Look up Igus. They make excellent chains.

[rustamd]

Also look for KABEL SCHLEPP brand. I got mine on ebay as well, came out to be much cheaper than through a regular store.

[The Inventor]

Food for thought...
Get a 'cheap' light duty garden hose (3/4' or 1" ID) cut it length-wise.
Slip in your cables and use wire ties to close it up.

[lamicron]

I like this last option, the hose doesn't have to be square...
Thanks for the help
Luis

[The Inventor]

Originally Posted by lamicron I like this last option, the hose doesn't have to be square... Thanks for the help Luis

Hey Luis,
Here's an added bonus.
NOTE: Not all hoses can do this so it's trial and error, 'BUT' If you're real
careful you can cut the hose in a 'sprial' of say 2" to 3" spacing and forget
about 50% of the wire ties and it gives more flexibility.

(HINT: Use a wood dowel and insert 6" to 12" into the hose, as you
cut, so you got something to cut against.)

Have Fun!

[Robin Hewitt]

Probably not what you need, but I designed an A0 inkjet printer once.

I had to get a four color ink pipe and a double ribbon cable to the print head without letting the pipes sag down, rub against themselves and jam up.

I used two rollers held apart by half the travel, see pic, ink in blue, ribbon cable in red.

Worked fine and dandy

[Dale Heart]

What about using an overhung C-track with little trolleys and the cables in loops? It sounds ridiculous but on some of the large machines with heaps of heads this is the only way it can be done.

[lamicron]

Thanks all of you for the idas.
I was out for some days, I have an idea about cutting in the laser machine pieces of polystirene with all the holes and after bend it to U form , if I have two U sizes, i will fit both and make some profile similar to the oiginals. I will do some samples for the next week and post it.

[lamicron]

This is the idea with the polystirene plate (2mm thick) two U's different width, cut by laser, bend by hand (very easy). About the hook for the hinge point can use those plastic screws for car interiors...
Luis

[Kipper]

Price up the Igus or other brand cable chain and then work out an hourly rate for making it yourself... I'll wager it's cheaper to buy it @ £35 a metre...

[bekx]

if the price is a problem , and it usualy is, i think u can use vacuum cleaner hose, i have seen pictures of some router working with vcleaner hose somwhere on the zone.

with a U profile as guide i think they will work great, i intend to use this for my machine.