Flexible cable guidance for assembly robots in the automotive industry

• What was needed: triflex® R energy supply systems
• Requirements: reliable energy supply system that also flexibly supports complex movements in all axes; movements mean strong twisting, yet the energy supply must not tear or kink; in addition, simple installation and the price-performance ratio were important to the customer
• Industry: Automotive industry
• Success for the customer: the triflex® R offers high flexibility and cable protection for complex movements in all eleven robots, which also increases the service life; it is also impact-resistant, dirt-repellent, robust, abrasion-resistant and warf-resistant; the modular design enables cost-saving assembly and disassembly

LSW Maschinenfabrik GmbH supplies turnkey assembly systems for the automotive industry and its suppliers worldwide. The company develops, plans, designs and manufactures computer-controlled automation equipment and transfer lines for the efficient assembly of powertrain components such as engines, cylinder heads, gearboxes, axles and steering systems. The company supports all project phases - from the idea of a new unit through the entire service life of the production plant. The all-round support includes on-site employee training as well as preventive maintenance and servicing or the option of remote diagnostics. This service package is designed to ensure that LSW's customers benefit from its expertise over the entire service life of the assembly lines.
For a customer in the automotive supply industry, LSW designed and built two assembly lines for a front axle/rear axle gearbox together with an assembly robot.
The requirements that a robot places on an energy supply system are obvious. It must reliably follow every movement. In this particular application, for example, there are complicated movements that go in all axes. The energy supply system is heavily twisted by the various axis movements. It must therefore be ensured that it does not tear or kink even at extreme points. Easy assembly and the price-performance ratio also played an important role for LSW Maschinenfabrik GmbH.

Following the product presentation and a test set-up, LSW decided to replace the conventional system with the triflex® R energy supply systems. They are currently proving their worth with all eleven robots.
There are a number of technical reasons in favour of the multi-dimensionally movable energy supply system especially for robot applications. It offers a high degree of flexibility and cable protection for complex movements, even in the 6th axis. A twist of up to approx. +/- 380° per metre in the longitudinal axis is possible and limited by a clear stop-dog. This supports guiding the cable around difficult geometries and extends the service life through defined minimum bending radii. The trailer principle ("housing pad" connection, similar to the trailer coupling on a car) enables high tensile force absorption, which means smooth movements in all axes with a tested tensile force of up to 2,340 N.
The energy supply system is impact-resistant, dirt-repellent, robust, abrasion-resistant and swarf-resistant. Small bend radius and small pitch ensure space-saving installation. Assembly and disassembly are simple. Thanks to its modular design, the triflex® can be easily shortened or extended. External stop-dogs ensure high stability. 
A universal mounting kit allows the energy supply system to be customised to any movement sequence. You don't need to know much about the motion sequence when ordering, the actual customisation only takes place during installation.