DIY Cable Carrier

[epineh]

Has anybody made their own cable chain carrier, I know energy chain is the IGES brand name for it but that sort of thing is what I am talking about.

I had a go at making some with some 3mm LDPE but didn't have very good results, with my router nearing completion I would like to use it to make some parts for itself, namely cable chain, better stepper mounts, blah blah blah.

Anyone have something to start with, or should I start drawing something up myself ?

Cheers.

Russell.

[project5k]

i have seen the energy chain used, and i have also seen people use what looked like a bicycle flag pole, to just hold the wires up and bend when the axis' move... seems to be the way cheaper way to go to get the machine working... i would love to have some energy chain, but its just outside the scope of my budget...

[Guldberg]

I have been playing with the thought of using normal curtain slides, you know like T-slots with those plastic things you attache the curtains to running in a groove. Ofcause they have to be upside down, so you need a enclosure or be close to a wall or something. The upside of it, is that its pratically free

[Bear]

Hi ,
If you have your machines working use plexiglas & glue .
make all sort of neet cbl.carriers.
Bear

[Jason Marsha]

Originally Posted by epineh Has anybody made their own cable chain carrier, I know energy chain is the IGES brand name for it but that sort of thing is what I am talking about. I had a go at making some with some 3mm LDPE but didn't have very good results, with my router nearing completion I would like to use it to make some parts for itself, namely cable chain, better stepper mounts, blah blah blah. Anyone have something to start with, or should I start drawing something up myself ? Cheers. Russell.

At the bottom of this page is a start. http://solsylva.com/cnc/5cnc54.html

Jason

[epineh]

Yeah, I'm thinking of rigging something up temporarily - probably loom tube and then making some chain with the machine, just thought someone might have a design I could "borrow" lol

No matter, I might start a design that is simple to machine, with minimal amount of components, I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to give their machine that professional finish...

I am thinking three different pieces, one rectangular piece with rounded ends to form the sides and pieces that lock into these to form the top and bottom sections, using something like a rivet/eyelet to hold the sides together and allow movement, OK so maybe I better draw it out... man the "to do" list aint gettin any smaller.

Russell.

[epineh]

Originally Posted by Jason Marsha At the bottom of this page is a start. Jason

Lol I came across that photo lookin around yesterday, I was thinking of something similiar using rectangular cable duct, cut into pieces in the same way, the advantage is a lid that is made to click on... might do for a temp fix.

Hmmm could even use small hinges, cheap and soooo easy to make, only seen it in white and sometimes brown, looks like I am goin searchin the bowels of the workshop tommorrow for some black duct.

Even if I had to buy a length, 4 metre length of cable chain for around $10.00... priceless !!!

Watch this space...

Russell.

[epineh]

Well I got some duct, cut it up into pieces, but haven't been able to locate any hinges yet... work in progress.

I did try to glue a length of webbing to the underside hoping this would make a nice hinge, alas nothing sticks to the duct AND the webbing. Tried PVC glue, Super Glue, contact glue, Super glue again to make sure, thought that sounded too easy.

To rub salt into the wounds, talking to our storeman today he informs me that during our last store upgrade, about 2 LARGE boxes of cable chain were thrown out !!! They were supposedly sitting for a couple of years left over from a job. Dammit

Russell.

[wjfiles]

I did see somewhere that a normal wide measuring steel tape can support and control cable if it is bent around with the curve inside.
Hope this helps. tapes are cheap these days at the local hardware.

[epineh]

Originally Posted by wjfiles I did see somewhere that a normal wide measuring steel tape can support and control cable if it is bent around with the curve inside.

That would work, you could also measure the cable run at the same time - lol.

I guess I should probably concentrate on finishing the router first, then look at using it to make this stuff, shame the duct is being difficult.

Especially when I basically just have to bolt it together and do all the adjusting for the final time, then start on the software side of things.

Russell.

[smarbaga]

perhaps using canvas as a backing similar to a roll to desk may suffice.
i have seen cups with a pin on either side, this might reduce the twisting effect.
... just a thought ...

[joecnc2006]

why not do the simple and cheap route and use the blue plastic electrical conduit from lowes or homedepot or and hardware store, it is flexible enough and you can use a bolt to strap the ends to so it can bow across the for the Y and Z axis.