From the outset, the plan was for an energy chain to supply energy to the spindles. But the originally selected model did not meet Schütte's high standards. During the production of the first series, for example, the staff told the design manager that the energy chains were difficult to fill.
Schütte then looked for an alternative. And found it in our undefined (Pictures 3 and 4), originally designed for demanding six-axis robotic applications in harsh industrial environments - that is, for axial and rotational movements in a chain.
Despite its high tensile strength, the three-part 3D chain is very easy to fill – to the centimetre. Even the lines for such media as coolant, which have a fairly large cross section, could therefore be clipped into the chain without much effort.
The new e-chain therefore quickly won over Schütte's production staff. And the designers appreciate the compact design, which is important given the limited space available in the machine. The triflex R offers more space for cables than the previous model, and since it requires no steel cable thanks to the precisely manufactured ball-and-socket joint connection, it is also extremely flexible.
The energy chain is designed from the ground up for a very long service life, even under extremely heavy loads. Tests and practical applications have thus far shown that the energy chains can withstand these loads – even though they have to travel long distances at high speed with every tool cycle and carry out extensive vertical strokes and pivoting movements. Even the oil mists from coolants, many of which are aggressive, do not shorten the chain's service life.
Specifically, the SCX series uses the triflex R-TRL 60, where the L stands for "light" and the number indicates the inner diameter (60mm). The basic triflex R version was not needed because the drive compartment is kept free from chips.
