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Design Guide: Basics of Cable Cat Tracks

Hose carrier & cat track cable management

e-chain® cable carriers (also known as cable cat tracks) are the umbilical cord of modern machines

Many industrial cables  and hoses  transmit energy, data, and fluid from fixed sources to moving mechanisms. They usually need to be guided and protected from external stresses common to the manufacturing environment. Cable and hose carriers can do this job.

The carrier is a structure, which surrounds the cables and hoses and facilitates travel while maximizing the life of these conduits. Cable carriers can take many forms, from heavy, open-style chains to fully enclosed tubes, and they are available in a variety of materials. Individual manufacturers refer to this product with a number of different terms, including cable carrier, drag chain, CAT track, cable track, energy chain and so on.

Read our Free Cable Cat Track Design Guide

Choosing the correct cable carrier for your application extends the life of cables and hoses, improves machine safety and reduces operating costs. Cable carriers, sometimes referred to as cat tracks, drag chains, or energy chains, can be manufactured in many different ways. They can be made with different materials like steel or plastic, and they can have simple lightweight designs or complex multi-axis configurations.

Read the Design Guide
design guide
Orange Services

Orange Services

Proper installation is essential for the life of your cable carrier, and igus® has a team of dedicated engineers ready to assist you every step of the way. From site inspection, to installation, to complete modernization, our team will ensure the longest possible service life for your cable carrier system. Contact us at (800) 521-2747  to discuss your project today!

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Long Travels, Heavy Duty Carriers

Long Travels, Heavy Duty e-chains®
  • Smooth, cable-friendly interior surfaces
  • Integrated "brakes" on radial stop dogs
  • Suitable for a wide range of applications
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Special Solutions

Special Solutions
  • Vertical, spiral and rotary movements
  • ESD material to avoid static charges
  • Low noise, high-speeds
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Data cable

data cable
  • For travels up to 400mm, ideal for cable carriers
  • Approvals/classifications (EAC, CE, CTP)
  • High flexibility
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Contact a Cable Carriers Expert

Whether you're interested in end-to-end, fully assembled solutions or looking to build your own customizable project, let us assist you with a solution based on your specific application and requirements. Contact us via the form below or call us at (800) 521-2747  to discuss your project today!