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Development of a Resin Extrusion-Molding Type Cable Guide

1.

INTRODUCTION

A guide support device, which moves to defined position
while storing and protecting cables to prevent damage orbreaks caused by cables entwining each other or cables
rampaging when the cables are used in moving parts ofindustrial machines, equipments and others move todefined position following the movement of the equipments, is a cable carrier.
For industrial robots and facilities related to liquid crystal and semiconductors, there are growing needs for reliability, increase of speed , guarantee of cleanliness, quietness and space-saving more than before. In response tosuch needs, the parts for the cable carrier are required tobe lighter weight, generating less dust and lower noise.
Okano Cable Co., Ltd. has developed and commercialized the new conceptual cable carrier “Cable Guide”
which meets these needs and is pleased to introduce it.

2.3. Less Dust Generation
The cable guide is an monolithic molding produced byresin extrusion-molding and has no mechanical parts,
therefore it generates almost no dust.
2.4. Easy Handling
It is easy to handle in installation or replacement of cables.

3.

STRUCTURE

The product is an monolithic molding produced by resin
extrusion-molding. To achieve smooth bending motion, it
has slits on the sidewall and v-shaped notches at the bottom. It has no mechanical, therefore its structure features
a light weight, a low noise, a less dust generation andalso a remarkable durability.
Three sizes, small, medium and large (with guide widths
between 30 and 75 mm), of the cable guides are available
in the product lineup to suit a wide variety of needs.
Slit on the top

Notch atthe bottom
Figure 2 General view of the cable guide.

Figure 1 External view of the cable guide body.

2.1. Light Weight
The product is approx. 40% lighter in weight compared togeneral and conventional cable carriers.
It has impacts with respect to the reductions in the loadof the motor in moving parts and in power consumption.
2.2. Low Sound NoiseThe cable guide is an monolithic molding produced byresin extrusion-molding and has no mechanical parts,
therefore its operation is very quiet. The noise while it isoperating is up to 35 dB. (The noise with general products is approx. 66 dB.)

24.0

41.5

31.0
Cable guide
small

67.5

48.5

75.0

Cable guidemediumCable guide
large

26.1
44.5

The features of this product are as follows.

Examples of the cross-section views of the monolithic
molding sections produced by resin extrusion-molding
are shown in figure 3 (without notches and slits).
An example of the configuration drawing of the cableguide, guide clamps and cable holding parts at the ends,
cables and end connectors is shown in Figure 4.

25.3
40.5

FEATURES OF THE PRODUCTSYSTEM CONFIGURATION

14.3
28.0

2.

4.

Figure 3 Cross-section structure of the cable guide.

Furukawa Review, No. 43

201356

Development of a Resin Extrusion-Molding Type Cable Guide

Cable guide

The performance diagram of the cable guide (relations
between weight of installed cable and moving stroke) isshown in Figure 6.

End A

Guide clamps
Cable holding parts

Figure 4 Configuration drawing of the cable guide.

We provide complete systems of the products wheresystems are not only including cable guides but also flexible cables and end connectors installed in the cableguides.
An example of the system application (electric power
supply and control to a servomotor of a single-axis robot)
is shown in Figure 5.

Installed cable weight (kg/m)

End B

Cable guide small

Flexible cables withend connectors

Flexible cables
with end connectors

Figure 5 Example of the system application.

5.

THE KEY SPECIFICATIONSThe key specifications are shown in Table 1.
Table 1

Specifications of this product.
Specifications

Items

Guide Guide Guide
large medium small

Applicable place

Indoor use

Operating temperature range (℃ )- 20 to 80

Operating humidity range (RH %)Maximum Operating stroke (m)

250

500

Cable guide large

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250
Moving stroke (mm)CONCLUSION

We, Okano Cable Co., Ltd., have been providing reliablerobot cable to the various fields based on extensive experiences and knowhow. We have developed the cableguide from viewpoints of a self- support of robot cables,
so that the cable guide, which is a monolithic molding
produced by resin extrusion-molding, has superior performances with lighter weight, lower noise and less dust
generation.
This product received great feedback from the customers/visitors on the news release and at various exhibitionsin October, last year. We will expand its application toindustrial robots and various equipments.
We also provide complete systems of the products
offering not only this cable guide but also robot cables
installed in this product to meet the requirements of thecustomers.
This product was commercialized since October, 2012.
For more information please contact:
Sales Division
Okano Cable Co., Ltd.
Tel: +81-46-261-3122
Fax: +81-46-264-9150
E-mail: info-e@okano-cable.co.jp
URL http://www.okano-cable.co.jp/english2/

35 - 95
2.2

2.2

2.0

Minimum bending radius R (mm)

100

80

80

Cable guide weight (kg/m)

0.69

0.50

0.31

1.1

0.75

Maximum operating speed (m/sec)
Applicable maximum cable weight (kg/m)

0Cable guide medium

Figure 6 The performance diagram of the cable guide.

6.
Cable guide

1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0

2.0
0.25

Note: Applicable environmental Condition: No continuous
immersion of the water and no condensation. Alkaline fluidand acid fluid are inapplicable, hydrogen peroxide water isinapplicable.

Furukawa Review, No. 43

201357