Cable Management

[jmoore626]

Hi Guys,

Long time reader, first time poster.

Im currently building an automated gantry system based loosely on the 8020 designs found from FLA, however I have adapted the design to more suit my needs.

My gantry system will be responsible for moving a sample between acid baths, and one of the connections from the base/floor to the end effector (where cnc's would normally have the router) is a fibre optic cable.

One of the problems I am currently having in the design stage is how to mount/route this cable, considering fibre optic has a minimum bend radius (for this particular fibre, mbr is ~ 1in)

Im hoping that someone here may have an idea on how to run this wire whilst maintaining a bending radius larger than 1" in all cases.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated

Thanks

Jason

P.S heres a pic of my design

[paulbritton]

We normally run fibre in cable ducts etc. inside 'Kopex' style trunking (convoluted plastic tube), this prevents crush, kink, snag type damage.

http://www.kopex.co.uk/
http://www.adaptaflex.com/
lhttp://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Conduit_Flexible_Index/Flexible_Conduit/index.html?source=adwords&kw=flexible%20conduit&gclid=CKymmZeHr5sCFdkB4wod0UnJlQ



Hope this helps.


Pau

[ftkalcevic]

It depends on your budget. The plastic cable carrier stuff is good, but expensive. You'll also need cable that is designed to be bent at the particular radii. www.igus.com.au has both. I got some flexible power cable (smallest in the range) and it was $A25 a meter (I actually got it for $15 because the outside was damaged).

A cheap way is to bundle the cables together, then go up! Leave some slack in the bundle and suspend it above the machine. Make sure there is enough slack to reach all points - or suspend it with a bit of bungee cord.

I just did my lathe like this. On the saddle (the bit that moves backwards and forwards) all the power cables and control cables are bundled together are fixed to a point on the wall behind. The cables only sway about 45 degrees.

Another way is to tie the cable bundle to some spring steel and let it flex over a larger radius. This is what I did on my gantry machine. (http://www.franksworkshop.com.au/CNC...yMill/Mill.htm scroll down to the side view). I got the idea on cnczone, but the builder used strips of spring steel sheet, probably 150mm wide. I could only find short pieces of piano wire, but it worked ok (needs to be anchored firmly).

[tmead]

If you're looking for a reasonable MTF (in industrial terms rather than DIY/hobby use) then something like the IGUS energy chain is probably the best way to go. At my last company we specialised in high speed pick and place robots, and all cables were managed with IGUS kit. It means they don't flap at high speed, and manages the bending so that no one point is fatigued.
Obey the extensive design rules they offer and you'll be fine - ignore them and it probably wont be any better than leaving the cables/fibres flapping in the breeze, and could be worse !
You'll probably need to check the fibre is suitable for hi-flex applications at the temperature you're proposing. Some are, some aren't.

Tim

[jmoore626]

Thanks for the quick replys guys.

These products made by igus look ideal for my application, however I have a feeling im not going to like the price for some reason.

The suggestions made about going up are very helpful, it may be ideal to mix some of the igus systems with the PMA type / kopex type cable to maintain bending radius and combine it with a vertical feed type system (as suggested by ftkalcevic)

Ill have to have a look how much space I will have available, as im somewhat limited by space in the enclosure.

Thanks again for the replys!

[daemonfly]

You can generally find Igus stuff on Ebay, I got quite a bit for very cheap. With you being in Aus, that's a bit more of a challenge, but probably still an option.

[tmead]

Also - keep your eyes open for companies that are using pick and place machines/robots etc, as they may have old kit that they are scrapping and you can salvage some from there. Take the cables too if you can, as they will probably be good quality high flex cables suitable for use in moving systems without cracking up !

Tim

[ger21]

There's a thread here with drawings for homemade "Igus" type chain.

DIY Cable Carrier

[Al_The_Man]

Whats the nature of the data or intended use?
Have you considered a radio link?
http://www.rentron.com/remote_control/TWS-434.htm
Al.