igus Develops First Robotic Energy Supply System Certified for Dry Clean Rooms

In addition to the drag chain, another component of the triflex R TRC is the fibre rod module. The system is similar to a fishing rod.

Two integrated glass fibre rods stabilise the drag chain to the 5th axis and prevent the robot from touching the drag chain.

This enables a virtually zero-touch production process and avoids particle generation during rotational movements. These pre-fabricated modules also allow for quick and easy installation.

Because there are no touch points, the energy supply system can also be easily combined with other individually certified products in the dry clean room, thus providing greater flexibility for the customer.

Passing tests with optimum results

The TRC.40 was tested in a dry clean room at the Fraunhofer IPA Institute with a dew point of -40°C, which corresponds to a relative humidity of less than 1 per cent at room temperature (22°C).

The test results showed that the complete system consisting of drag chain and fibre rod modules was the first of its kind to be certified to ISO class 4 - the best possible result for the current state of the art.

Only at higher speeds (v = 2.0 m/s and a = 4.0 m/s?) did the system achieve ISO class 5.

In addition to the triflex R TRC, the E6.29 drag chain from igus was the first dry clean room solution to be certified to ISO class 4 at that time the previous year.

So both drag chains fulfil the highest requirements for dry clean room applications.