Control Cables with Low Bend Radii for High Speeds

Q: What certifications do chainflex® cables carry?

chainflex® continuous flex cables meet global standards including UL, CE, EAC, NFPA 79, and cleanroom ISO Class 1. They also support major communication protocols such as PROFINET and PROFIBUS.

Q: How can cables reduce downtime in automation systems?

By using specialised designs for continuous flexing, chainflex® cables minimise insulation cracks, conductor breaks, and EMI issues. This means fewer cable failures, less machine downtime, and higher production efficiency.

Q: How do I calculate the service life of a chainflex® cable?

igus® provides free online tools including a service life calculator and cable configurator. These help you select the right cable and predict its performance in your specific application.

Q: Can I get free samples of igus® chainflex® cables?

Yes. Engineers and purchasing managers can request a free cable sample box to evaluate product performance before committing to larger orders.

Q: Can I get pre-assembled cables with connectors?

Yes. With the igus® readycable® service , cables can be ordered pre-harnessed with connectors from brands like Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen Bradley, and SEW, ready for plug-and-play installation.

Built for extreme environments and tested for millions of cycles

Control cables transmit switching states and control signals between transmitters and receivers. igus® control cables are engineered for use in energy chains, withstanding high speeds, accelerations, and extreme temperatures. They are UV-resistant, flame-retardant, halogen-free, and available in shielded or unshielded designs with PVC, PUR, or TPE outer jackets.

Benefits:

Proven to last for millions of cycles within e-chain® cable carriers
Built to meet the engineering demands of industrial applications
CE, NFPA, and CEI-certified for diverse applications
Designed to withstand continuous, high-speed motion in harsh environments
Tested in the igus® laboratory for millions of e-chain® cycles, with a service life guarantee of up to 4 years.

Browse chainflex® control cables

igus chainflex CFS cable with exposed braided conductors.

PVC control cables

For heavy duty applications
Flame retardant
Silicon-free
UV-resistant
Oil-resistant and non oil-resistant variations

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iglidur CHAINFLEX CF77.UL.D cable with twisted black conductors and a green wire.

PUR control cables

For heavier duty applications
Coolant, hydrolysis, microbe and UV-resistant
Flame retardant
Halogen-free, silicon and PVC-free
Oil-resistant to DIN EN 50363-10-2

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igus chainflex CF9 cable with exposed conductors.

TPE control cables

For heaviest duty applications
Low-temperature-flexible
Hydrolysis, microbe, coolant and UV-resistant
Silicon, PVC-free, halogen-free or flame-retardant
Oil-resistant according to DIN EN 60811-404

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Applications with chainflex® cables

Cable in the forklift - a special challenge

An unusual application involves winding and unwinding cables on forklift masts via plastic rollers. The constant pulling and deflection place extreme strain on the cable stranding. After earlier issues, igus® collaborated with the customer to test a solution using specially bundle‑wound cores. This rope construction neutralises internal forces, eliminating corkscrew effects and core breakage. If you’re facing similar cable performance challenges, we can help find the right solution.

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Steel plates moving through a hot rolling mill with sparks and glowing metal.

Crane cable carrier in demanding environments

A company supplying steel rails to the international railway industry replaced festoon systems on its indoor and outdoor cranes to reduce both maintenance requirements and costs. The new energy chain systems are comprised of igus®' E4/4 heavy duty series cable carriers, aluminium guide troughs and chainflex® cables.

Cable management for high-bay warehouse operation

In the meat-processing industry, igus® readychain® cable carrier systems streamline storage and handling in high-bay warehouses, cutting installation time from three days to just four hours, minimising assembly errors, and reducing the risk of plant downtime, delivering reliable, efficient operation for complex storage-and-retrieval units.

Automated storage shuttle moving through aisles of blue bins in a food processing warehouse.

Crash simulation robots using cable carriers

Decommissioning a nuclear power plant demands precise, reliable solutions. For dismantling 46-foot steel tanks, a milling cutter powered by igus® series 28 E4/00 energy chain carriers ensured smooth operation in zigzag applications. Guiding chainflex® CF9 continuous-flexible cables and hoses, this system delivered dependable power and fluid supply, proving the durability and reliability of igus® components in the most demanding environments.

Crash test dummy in a car interior during an application crash test.

Cable carriers and cables for touch-free car wash systems

A leading car wash manufacturer delivers self-service, automatic, tunnel, and freestanding car wash systems, with its touch-free car wash being a customer favourite. This state-of-the-art system handles vehicles of all sizes, including large trucks and Hummers, using advanced software and reliable components.

Large screen LED installation

The igus® E4 energy chain safeguards fibre-optic, power, and control cables on 26-foot automated LED displays at Victory Plaza, ensuring reliable operation 18 hours a day, 360 days a year. Designed for extreme weather, UV, and low-temperature resistance down to –30 °F, it outperforms competitor systems by preventing corkscrewing and premature failure, delivering a durable, low-maintenance solution for high-duty outdoor LED applications.

Victory Plaza at dusk with illuminated office buildings and a central archway leading to the plaza.

Automated mic reel with no signal loss

The e-spool microphone reeler extends cables up to 30 m automatically from the ceiling, no manual work, no risk of cable damage. It eliminates slip rings (a common source of interference) using a twisterband system for smooth, uninterrupted signal transmission. Built-in safety features, special XLR cable with strain relief and auto-stop on exceptional load, protect both gear and operators.

e-spool with spring for stage technology as a complete set for up to 21 m cable.

FOC with Tight Bend Radii Solutions

When copper bus cables fail under tight bend radii and millions of double-strokes, chainflex® fibre optic cables outperform with up to 40% smaller minimum bend radius and far longer service life. Fibre optics deliver high-speed data immune to EMC interference, with signal integrity preserved even when cable curvature changes, something copper cores can’t reliably maintain.

CAT7 cable concept with glowing data streams on a dark abstract background.

Belt-driven units for automatic gates

In this application, chainflex® CF9 TPE control cables have a much longer service life than the cables previously used. These are safely guided by igus® energy chains cable carriers from the E2 micro family. Furthermore, the belt-drive units of the gates are equipped with tribologically optimised iglide® plastic plain bearings, which have reduced wear rate considerably.

Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning

Decommissioning a nuclear power plant demands precise, reliable solutions. For dismantling 46-foot steel tanks, a milling cutter powered by igus® Series 28 E4/00 energy chain carriers ensured smooth operation in zigzag applications. Guiding chainflex® CF9 cables and hoses, this system delivered dependable power and fluid supply, proving the durability and reliability of igus® components in the most demanding environments.

chainflex in nuclear plant decommissioning

Control Cables in Composting Plant

igus® roller energy chains and chainflex® cables keep composting plants running reliably in extreme heat, humidity, and abrasive environments. The roller design minimises friction and wear, extending service life from annual replacements to over five years. Built for continuous flex and harsh conditions, these systems reduce downtime, cut maintenance, and ensure efficient, long-term operation.

Conveyor discharges compost into a pile at a compost plant, with a wheel loader beside it.

Pre-assembled energy supply for amusement park ride

With readychain®, igus® is assigned all the procurement logistics, from the purchase of all essential special parts to the safe, efficient delivery of the ready-to-install system on a fixed date. There is a number of reasons to opt for a pre-assembled cable carrier system in mechanical and plant automation. Manufacturing costs, sources of error and project planning costs are reduced, whilst reliability is increased.

Fairground water slide with a blue chute and gondola lift, with visitors in front.

Reliable cables solution in machining centres

igus® energy chain systems for large machining centres deliver reliable, high-speed energy and media supply over long travel distances. Pre-assembled readychain® solutions simplify installation, reduce downtime, and handle heavy loads with precision. These systems keep gantry machines running smoothly while protecting cables from wear, vibration, and contamination.

readycable chains arranged on a production line, with orange and black cables extending forward.

chainflex® cables in concrete manufacturing

A manufacturer with a five-axis CNC router available in four main styles. replaced cables with chainflex in their application. The cables had to be able to withstand heavy duty applications, and at the same time possess a high degree of flexibility. The replacement cables have been in place over 10 years.

High-speed roller door

The igus® Micro flizz® cable carrier system delivers reliable power and data supply in compact spaces, even at extreme speeds up to 6 m/s and in temperatures as low as −40°F. Pre-assembled with energy chain, guide channel, and cables, it ensures smooth, quiet, and lubrication-free operation while withstanding millions of cycles. Ideal for roller doors, long-travel, and high-acceleration applications, Micro flizz® helps engineers achieve long service life with minimal maintenance and reduced downtime.

e-chain cable carrier guiding cables inside an application on an echain system.

Leather-Cutting Machine Success with igus® chainflex®

A furniture manufacturing plant faced recurring cable failures in its leather-cutting station. Despite continuous operation for 14-hour days, cables would fail every two months, causing up to a full day of downtime per incident. The company retrofitted the machine with chainflex® CF9 control cables, designed for extreme bending and compact installations.

Leather cutting machine cutting a leather sheet along a marked curve.

Minimal Bend Radius In Stacking Unit

The igus® chainflex® CF98 control cable solved repeated breakdowns in automated phosphorous-screen stacking units, operating in just 0.7-inch (18 mm) bending radii and enduring 300,000 cycles per month in tight spaces, eliminating downtimes that previously cost over $9,300 annually. Pre-harnessed inside an igus® energy chain, the CF98 cable now delivers uninterrupted, long-term performance, enhancing both operational reliability and cost efficiency.

Robotic cable dress packs

chainflex® robotic cables are built for multi-axis motion, handling ±180° torsion every 3 feet with millions of cycles. Dress pack solutions with triflex® energy chains keep cables secure, guided, and protected in demanding robot applications.
Reduce downtime and extend robot life with cables designed specifically for dynamic robotic environments.

Yellow industrial robot arm with cable chains in a workshop, holding a tool head over a workbench.

Frequently asked questions regarding control cables

An SY cable is used for applications where mechanical protection is required.

igus® does not produce SY cables, why? SY stands for steel wire braided, and the galvanised steel wire braid are not designed to withstand repeated bending or flexing as the steel braid can fracture or unravel over time.

Alternatively, we offer our e-chains® as mechanical protection. igus® also provide CY and YY cables.

A CY cable, alongside YY and SY cables are all types of flexible control cables used in industrial environments for transmitting signal and power to machines.

A CY cable is a screened PVC control cable 300/500V, suitable for when EMI protection is high. igus® provide multiple versions of CY cables depending on the application requirements.

YY cables are unscreened PVC control cables 300/500V which are designed for use when EMI protection is not required, as there are no sensitive signals. igus® offer two grades of PVC cables, either non oil resistant or an oil resistant version.

chainflex® continuous flex cables meet global standards including UL, CE, EAC, NFPA 79, and cleanroom ISO Class 1. They also support major communication protocols such as PROFINET and PROFIBUS.

By using specialised designs for continuous flexing, chainflex® cables minimise insulation cracks, conductor breaks, and EMI issues. This means fewer cable failures, less machine downtime, and higher production efficiency.

Yes. Depending on the cable type, they are available with oil-resistant, UV-stable, flame-retardant, and halogen-free materials, making them suitable for harsh industrial environments.

igus® provides free online tools including a service life calculator and cable configurator. These help you select the right cable and predict its performance in your specific application.

Yes. Engineers and purchasing managers can request a free cable sample box to evaluate product performance before committing to larger orders.

Yes. With the igus® readycable® service, cables can be ordered pre-harnessed with connectors from brands like Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen Bradley, and SEW, ready for plug-and-play installation.

igus® offers more than 1,394 cable types, available with no minimum order quantity. You can order by the foot (or meter), and most ship within 24 hours.