Energy chain specialist igus has augmented its e-spool cable management system with the introduction of e-spool power. Fitted with a quiet-running electric motor to drive the spool and electronic control system integrated with limit switches, e-spool power makes light work of many applications such as lighting beams and indoor cranes.
"The motor in e-spool power allows travel lengths beyond 25m compared to the standard e-spool, which is limited by the spring retraction," Justin Leonard, director igus, said. "This opens up many new theatre and stage, maritime and ship construction applications that have travels of up to 50m."
With e-spool power, the motor will quietly and gently drive the e-chain to its end position, then smoothly pull it back onto the spool again. The maximum extension/retraction speed of e-spool power is 1.2 m/s.
With traditional reeling drums, it is not possible to mix services and generally only one cable type can be used. In addition, a slip ring is often necessary to accommodate the inner rotation. The e-spool cable management system eliminates these issues by allowing many different cable and hose types together, accommodating diameters up to 17mm in any direction. Since e-spool provides end-to-end connections, no slip ring is required and tensile load on the cables is eliminated.
e-spool power is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, even at temperatures below freezing point. The unit has also undergone rigorous testing at the igus laboratory under extreme conditions to ensure a predictably long service life, thanks to the design of the retraction system and motor.