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triflex® R - the 3D energy chain

The e-chain for robotics and non-robotics applications in three-dimensional space

Find out here what makes the TRC and TRE of the triflex® R series special.

Experience triflex® R from every angle

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1... TRE „easy“ Design

Lightning-fast filling of cables and hoses due to the "easy" mechanism

... easy filling with "fallout safety" - simply press cables into the chain by thumb ... cut assembly time by up to 80%

Details of working principle

Dual lock

"easy" opening mechanism

Cables and hoses can simply be pressed into the chain using your thumb. This cuts assembly time by up to 80%.

igus® tested

tensile test

Reduce assembly times and cut time by 80%

Assembly time: Insertion of 2 cables Ø 6 and 10 mm (we will gladly provide you with details about these and many other tests)

Application example

CNC multi-spindle lathe

A host of triflex® R e-chains® on a CNC multi-spindle lathe. Fast cable assembly due to the "easy" mechanism

2... High tensile force absorption due to the trailer mechanism

... Tensile force ratings of up to 1000 N possible - the breaking strength is increased by several orders of magnitude

Details of working principle

Trailer principle

Trailer principle

Due to the special trailer mechanism, the triflex® R can absorb high tensile forces.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3602: tensile force test

Tensile force test with TRE.100.145 in the igus® lab: 3846 N of tensile force

Application example

Welding robot

High accelerations and direction changes are typical for robot motions. The links stay together due to the igus® trailer mechanism.

3. Defined minimum bend radius

For a max. service life of the cables
Prevents media hoses from kinking

Details of working principle

Dual lock

min. bending radius

All triflex® R types are rated with a defined minimum bending radius. This ensures that neither cables nor hoses are excessively pinched and damaged as a result. This increases the application's operational reliability and the service life of cables and hoses.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3418: breaking strength

Testing of the maximum breaking strength in the radius. Min. 217 N load at the extreme radius stop dog, e.g. for a TRC.40.058

Application example

Palletizing robot

Smallest robot dimensions also call for the tightest motion control radii on cables. triflex® protects cables and hoses due to defined minimum bending radii

4... Torsion stop dog on each chain link

Minimised torsional load on cables

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Torsion stop dog

Each triflex® R chain link has a torsion stop of approx. +/-10°. This distributes the torsion that occurs in robot applications across the entire chain length and increases the service life of hoses and cables.

igus® tested

Torsion tests

Test: Torsion

The igus® lab conducts torsion tests on triflex® R and cables, during which the triflex® R is twisted and "rolled up"

Application example

Welding robot

Tight twisting and torsion motions occur specifically on the robot head. In this case, the triflex® R limits the twisting of cables with the defined torsion stop, and distributes the twisting over a greater length. This increases the service life of hoses and cables.

5... TRC "enclosed" design

Closed, chip-resistant design

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Closed design

The TRC configuration - "C" for closed - is an enclosed 3D chain version. This version is chip-proof and protects cables and hoses against damaging media.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test: chip tightness

We use special chip drums to conduct tightness tests on many igus® e-tubes. By using defined chips (quantity and type), we are able to make reliable statements for motion control applications.

Application example

Tile factory

Significant dust and dirt loads on a palletising robot in a tile factory. triflex® R e-chains® not only need to be tight, but also resistant against abrasive dust.

6... Outside bending radius stop dogs

... for maximum stability

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Exterior stop dogs

Outside bending radius stop dogs provide max. radius stability, and reliably protect cables and hoses.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3242: Breaking load

We also test the durability of outside stop dogs in the igus® lab

Application example

triflex

Machine tools

In order to protect cables from breaking and keep the inside free of interfering edges, the bend radii stop-dogs must be on the outside and highly stable.

7... Modular system for convenient shortening and extending

... no steel ropes, springs, or the like

Details of working principle

Easy assembly/disassembly

Easy assembly/disassembly

Thanks to the modular design, the triflex® R can be lengthened or shortened as required. This provides for maximum flexibility however it is installed.

igus® tested

tensile test

Assembly example

No cutting of steel ropes, springs, or the like. An injection moulded part, therefore extended and shortened "on demand".

Application example

triflex

Handling robot

As in the case of conventional igus® e-chains®, triflex® R e-chains® can be lengthened or shortened at "any" point of the chain.

8... Also available as an ESD version

... for EX applications

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Conductive material, igumid ESD

For ESD or E protection areas, TRE + TRC variants are also available in "conductive" material. Tired and tested in numerous applications.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test 3337: electrical resistance

Even after 500,000 cycles, the electrical resistance of the series tested here, i.e. the TRC.40.058.0.ESD series, is still 70 MOhm

Application example

triflex

Medical robot

In many areas of industry, the focus is on very different requirements. From EX-protection to suitability for use in clean rooms

9... Impact-resistant, rugged, abrasion-resistant

... Elastic, yet impact resistant plastic material from Polyamide

Details of working principle

Rugged

Rugged

The TRE/TRC version is suitable for demanding applications on robots. They have been proving their worth in rough environments for many years.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test: spin test

The impact-resistance of a triflex® R filled with cables is tested in spin tests

Application example

3D plasma cutter

In addition to igus® triflex® TRE, other e-chains® (E2/000, E4.1) and drylin® linear guides (drylin® W) are installed in this plasma cutter.

10... Standard mounting bracket with strain relief

... Reliable and fast strain relief

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Modular accessories

Mounting brackets with strain relief tiewrap plates are available for easy assembly. This allows cables and hoses to be quickly and conveniently strain relieved with cable tie wraps. The mounting brackets are opened and closed by hand.

igus® tested

tensile test

Test: Tensile test

Tensile strength testing on igus® tiewrap plates with cable tie

Application example

Handling robot

Reliably strain relieved, and optimally mounted on the robot due to the extension link.

11... Mounting bracket as intermediate connection

... Optimal connection to the robot

Details of working principle

Accessories

Accessories

By using the mounting bracket as an extension link, triflex® R e-chains® can be secured/strain relieved at any location.

igus® tested

tensile test

Retention strength of the extension link

Application example

Robots

Reliably strain relieved, and optimally mounted on the robot due to the extension link.

12...Robot configuration tool

www.igus.eu/quickrobot

Just a few clicks to your robot equipment

Details of working principle

Dual lock

Online Tool

igus® QuickRobot is a configuration tool for robot energy supply systems. With only a few clicks, the matching configuration can be selected for 79 robot models.

to the Online Tool

igus® tested

tensile test

Robot configuration tool

Selection of robot types according to manufacturer and the required chain sizes according to diameter

Optional articles can be selected

Parts lists are created in PDF format

Equipment option per axis can be conveniently ordered with one article number.

Application example

Customised ordering

Ordering directly online or with the parts list.

13... A host of twistable cables available

www.chainflex.eu

... more than 100 different twistable cables available from stock

Details of working principle

Dual lock

CF.Robot

Approx. 100 different CFRobot cables are available from stock without cutting charges and minimum quantities. We also supply fully harnessed with connectors, or as a complete, ready to install readychain® system.

igus® tested

tensile test

Cable testing

All chainflex® ROBOT cables in a triflex® R energy supply system are twisted at least 3 million times with a fixed point clearance of 1 m and a torsion of ±180°.

Application example

Complete and reliable.

Highly flexible triflex® R robot e-chain® and the matching, long-lasting chainflex® CF.Robot torsion cables

14. Intelligent condition monitoring

i.Sense TR.B from smart plastics

Prevent unplanned failures and high downtime costs, even on multi-axis and industrial robots

How it works

The i.Sense TR.B sensor is connected directly to the PLC customer control system - without additional software costs. If a chain link breaks, the system detects the change in length of the rope installed in the chain and can accordingly send out a digital signal to the system control.

tested by igus®

Tensile test

Ongoing test series in the industry's largest test laboratory for dynamic energy transmission systems on industrial robots

Application example

Highly flexible robot e-chain® triflex® R, the matching, long-lasting torsion cables chainflex® CF.Robot and the intelligent condition monitoring i.Sense TR.B.

2023 smart plastics News: i.Sense TR.B - condition monitoring for triflex® R 3D chains

Sample order

TRE sleeve

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