Low-maintenance cable routing in CNC grinding machine for oil and metal shavings

Machine manufacturer Cinetic Landis relies on durable plastic e-chain for machine too

Parts can be machined in one go with this new CNC grinding machine, as it has two grinding heads on a rotating axis. Here, the igus e-chain E6 was able to convince the designers. Its six-part design and low weight allow particularly smooth movements. The grinding residues and the oils used cannot affect the energy supply either.

Profile

What was needed: E6 energy chain
Requirements: Low maintenance, aggressive environmental conditions, such as oil and metal shavings
Industry: Machine tool construction
Success for the customer: Chain model for planning dimensions and design, extremely quiet chain enables precise work of the CNC machine, simple design reduces maintenance costs to a minimum

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Problem

New Yorkshire-based machine tool manufacturer Cinetic Landis Ltd had been working on a CNC-controlled camshaft grinding machine as part of a new project. The computer-automated system has two grinding wheels on the thrust axis. In order for each spindle to be selected by the machine, the entire disc head must be able to rotate. This not only minimizes changeover times when switching between different functions of the machine, but also improves the accuracy of the product, as it can be manufactured in just a single setup.
As part of the design of the system, Cinetic Landis was faced with the task of finding a suitable energy supply solution. However, the machine builder did not want to rely on a standard solution, but was dependent on finding a solution that would work cleanly and error-free even when the machine was used heavily. The main focus was therefore on eliminating maintenance work. In addition, the environmental conditions during operation of the plant also had to be considered. Above all, these manifest themselves in the form of oil and abrasive elements such as metallic chippings, which also always come into contact with components such as the energy supply system and can severely impair its function.

Solution

Cinetic Landis Ltd. finally decided on e-chains, or more precisely on the E6 energy chain series from igus. However, before the machine builder found the final solution for his system, he dealt with the e-chain 1640, which was perceived as too heavy, stiff and prismatic in its design for the company's specific application situation. As an alternative design, igus finally offered the machine manufacturer a sample of the E6 chain to internally illustrate the dimensions and exact functionality. From this point on, it was not far from the model to the concrete implementation in the system, because the E6 was able to completely convince Cinetic Landis. The chain offers the user a number of advantages: In addition to the high flexibility of the chain, the absence of a traditional prismatic design has enabled smoother movement, which also ensures a more accurate operation of the grinding machine. In addition, the E6 chain is not affected by the lubricating oil used during grinding. For example, there is no bolt/hole connection for the connection of the chain components and signs of wear and tear cannot occur here. Furthermore, only minimal support was required for the energy chain, which consists of only two steel rods. Even an approx. 1 m long unsupported chain section in between, which reduces the friction of the entire installation, can be carried through the chains without any problems. Finally, the 230° rotation movement of the chain is a "simple" rotation movement, and not a movement with a backward bending radius. This keeps costs low, the application as clear as possible, and maintenance as easy as possible.

Learn more about E6

The tube in the foreground provides guidance of the chain during the rotating movement.

The model of an E6 energy chain in research and development illustrates how the energy chain can be attached to the grinding machine.