Continuous Panel Feed e-spool® flex 2.0

Q: Which cables are unsuitable for use in the e-spool flex?

Fibre optic cables and hydraulic hoses are unsuitable for use in the e-spool flex.

Q: In which areas is the e-spool flex used?

Possible areas of application are control pendants on robots, cable retraction systems for workshop and production areas, cable retraction systems for sensitive measuring cables, floor-cleaning machines (moisture) or for the interior lighting of trailers.

Efficient cable management without slip rings

The e-spool® flex 2.0 is a compact, reliable solution for cable management in tight spaces. Its modular design makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from industrial robots and car workshops to stage technology and trailer lighting. A guided feed-through ensures the cable is wound evenly and securely, preventing tangling and reducing wear for smooth, long-lasting operation.

Advantages of our cable reel:

No slip ring: Uninterrupted supply of power, data and air
Space-saving: Coiled cables require less storage space
Clean and tidy: No tangled cables
Longer cable service life: No kinking or knotting
Universal assembly: On the floor, ceiling or wall
Constant tensile strain on the cable
Cable snap mechanism

e-spool® flex versions

With housing

Version H: Manual cable reel with hand crank

Cable diameter: 5 to 15mm
Extension length: ≤15m

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Automatic cable reels with retaining spring and snap mechanism

Version SP: Automatic cable reel with retaining spring and snap mechanism

Cable diameter: 5 to 15mm
Extension length: ≤15m

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Automatic cable reels with retaining spring, snap mechanism and retraction brake

Version SB: Automatic cable reel with retaining spring, snap mechanism and retraction brake

Cable diameter: 5 to 15mm | Extension length: ≤15m

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Automatic cable reel e-spool flex mini with retaining spring and snap mechanism

Version SP: Automatic cable reel mini with retaining spring and snap mechanism

Cable diameter: 5 to 7mm
Extension length: ≤3m

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Automatic cable reel e-spool flex mini with retaining spring and locking lever

Version SPL: Automatic cable reel mini with spring and ratchet lever

Cable diameter: from 5 to 7mm
Extension length: ≤3m

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NEW: e-spool® flex mini 2.0

The mini version of the e-spool® flex 2.0 enables uninterrupted transmission of energy, data, air, or media without the need for a slip ring. Its modular design allows easy adaptation to specific applications, making it ideal for short cable lengths and installations in very limited spaces.

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Without housing - espool® flex light

The housing-free cable reel is designed for seamless integration into existing systems. By focusing on the essential technology and omitting a dedicated housing, it reduces weight, saves space, and reduces costs.

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Free white paper:

White paper: Tidy & Safe Cable Guidance for Operating Panels

With a newly developed cable drum for operating panels, robot users avoid tangled cables and trip hazards in automated production. Since the new solution does not use slip rings, media, data, power and signal supply of the emergency stop button can also be integrated into the system. Download the white paper to find out more.

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Differences between cable reels and cable drums

Feature	Cable reel e-spool flex	Cable reel
Insert	Stationary, industry, robots	Mobile, craft, garden, household
Signal transmission	Without slip ring, uninterrupted	Often with slip ring, risk of interruption
Durability	High, maintenance-free	Depending on use

Brush unit

Brush attachment for cleaning the cable before rolling it up.

Guide roller

Idler pulley for "around the corner" extension.

Tech up

Without interruptions (no slip ring) also for electricity,
data, liquids and air
Space-saving
Universal use
Constant tensile strain on the cable
Locking function of the cable

Cost down

Favourable price
Cost-effective in case of repair
Easy replacement of the cable in use, making the system customisable
Four configuration levels, customised to the respective customer requirements

Proof

Tested in the igus laboratory: e-spool flex pull-out forces and e-spool flex mini extension length compared to the competitive product

Sustainability

No additional copper components in the system (apart from cable copper)
Parts are reusable
Less raw material required due to partial repair option instead of total replacement
Have your energy chain recycled at the end of its life cycle in the igus chainge recycling programme.

Installation instructions

The illustrated assembly aid enables you to assemble the e-spool flex 2.0 and e-spool flex mini quickly and professionally. Note: Please consider VDE 0298 Part 5 (Current carrying capacity and conversion factors for wound cables) when selecting your cables and when using e-spool flex

e-spool flex installation instructionse-spool flex with hand crank installation instructionse-spool flex mini installation instructions

Documentations

e-spool flex

This documentation provides you with all the important information about e-spool flex cable reels, from technical data to hazard warnings to safety instructions.

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e-spool flex mini

This documentation provides you with all the important information about e-spool flex mini, from technical data to hazard warnings and safety instructions.

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Structure of the e-spool® flex 2.0

Cables or hoses are inserted into the e-spool® flex cable reel in a spiral pattern.

The e-spool® flex in detail from the inside (from left): housing, worm guide, cables/hoses, winding housing.

Cables/hoses inserted in the spiral guide. Extension lengths up to 15m possible

Tested in the igus® laboratory

Tested for e-spool® flex pull-out forces

igus® compared the e-spool® flex with a competing product in our test laboratory. The test evaluated the two products' pull-out forces.

The results showed that the e-spool® pull-out forces were about ten newtons, while those of the competing product were almost twice that.

A: e-spool® flex
B: Competing product
C: Pull-out force [N]D: Pull-out [m]

Tested e-spool flex mini extension length

Tested for e-spool® flex mini extension length

igus® compared the e-spool flex mini with a competing product. The test evaluated the two products' extension lengths.

The results showed that the e-spool® flex mini extension length was about three meters, while that of the competing product was only half that.

Realised in practice: Nightclub Ceiling in the Paris Accor Arena

The bronze vector award goes to the company Mecaoctet for the use of the e-spool flex cable reel in an animated mirrored ceiling at the ACCOR Arena in Paris. For the power supply, the experts rely on igus e-spool flex cable reels without slip rings, which are fitted with hybrid cables and connected to the triangles' centres of gravity. According to Mecaoctet, the igus solution made it possible to avoid complex reels with rotating collectors, which would have been very expensive and unreliable. Compared to a slider system with cable loops, the igus solution is also more aesthetic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A cable reel ensures that cables are rolled up in a safe, organised and space-saving way. It prevents cable breakages and tripping hazards and ensures a long service life for the cables.

Up to 10,000 movements.

Fibre optic cables and hydraulic hoses are unsuitable for use in the e-spool flex.

Yes, the e-spool flex cable reel is designed in such a way that the customer's own cables can be inserted without any problems.

Possible areas of application are control pendants on robots, cable retraction systems for workshop and production areas, cable retraction systems for sensitive measuring cables, floor-cleaning machines (moisture) or for the interior lighting of trailers.

An automatic cable reel uses a spring mechanism to unwind and rewind the cables, allowing uninterrupted transmission of power or data. The e-spool flex does this entirely without a slip ring.