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Optimised insulation of chainflex VFD motor and servo cables for energy chain use, thanks to new high-performance polymer

The trend for variable frequency drives (VFDs) is moving towards more compact drives with the same or higher power and extremely high switching accuracies of the frequency converters. As a result, when selecting the cable the user not only has to pay attention to the right combination of number of cores and cross-sections, but also to the electrical specifications of the cable. That is why igus has now developed a material that meets the new challenges for its latest generation of motor and servo cables. In the test, it was able to withstand a bend radius of 7.2 x d over 45 million strokes.

From small to large: the trend in motor technology is towards ever more compact VFD motors with the same or a higher performance level than their predecessors. Smaller, plastic-insulated round power connectors such as the M16 or M18 are being used more and more for the new motor designs to be able to exploit their full advantages. The more compact design of the motors, can result in higher temperatures within the system, compared to larger ranges of the same motors. The result is that the cable heats up via the connector contacts. Although there are no consequences for the motor and the connected components in the short term, serious problems might occur in the long term. If the insulation material of the cable does not withstand the elevated temperatures in the long term, short circuits can occur inside the cable and in the vicinity of the connectors, which in the worst case can lead to fires. Therefore, the insulation material plays a new central role in the selection of the correct servo and motor cables.

Tested igus insulation material for the latest servo motors
After a five-year development and testing period, igus now offers a solution to prevent insulation and consequential damage to the compact motors, in the form of a new insulation material for its chainflex VFD motor and servo cables. Due to the expertise in the area of new high-performance polymers, the motion plastics specialist has been able to develop a new material that successfully passed the comprehensive laboratory and practical tests. For example, in test 5034, the CF29 servo cable with a bend radius of 7.2 x d withstood over 45 million strokes. The new material - in contrast to other common materials - meets the increased thermal requirements of the latest motor generations. This makes igus the only supplier in the global market to offer long-term tested ranges of VFD motor and servo cables for continuous use in energy chains, which meet the specific thermal and electrical requirements of the latest converter generations.

Largest variety of cables tested and guaranteed
The igus range of cables undergoes extensive tests under real conditions in the company's own 2,750 square-metre test laboratory. The data generated allowed igus to become the only manufacturer in the market to offer a 36-month guarantee on its entire cable range.

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