e-spin E4Q

Background of the e-spin development

How did the idea for the e-spin come about in the first place?

This was triggered by specific projects in the semiconductor industry. A cleanroom-compatible energy supply was required for travels of 30 metres and more - with particularly quiet operation and the highest requirements for particle avoidance. This could not be achieved with conventional sliding solutions. So we asked ourselves how we could guide an energy chain over long travels without gliding. That was the starting point for the combination of e-spin and our C6 cleanroom chain.

Technical challenges during development

Michael Otrebowski: "One of the biggest tasks was to enable extremely smooth and strong movement over very long travels. To do this, we needed precise gearing to guide the support wheel precisely. My previous work in the field of gearbox technology at igus has helped enormously here. This expertise was crucial for designing the tooth contour in such a way that it engaged cleanly and unrolls evenly. I was also able to draw on the extensive igus® product range of tribo-optimised plastics, which means we can now even achieve the highest cleanliness class."

What makes the e-spin particularly suitable for long travels in cleanrooms?

Michael Otrebowski: "We roll instead of gliding - with defined guidance. This keeps the movement smooth and quiet over the entire distance. The support wheels prevent the upper run from sagging and the tooth contour stabilises the movement. This ensures controlled, smooth running even at very long travels. The combination of the e-spin with our C6 cleanroom chain is so abrasion-resistant that we achieve ISO Class 1 - confirmed and certified by the IPA Institute."

For which applications is the e-spin interesting today?

As described, this solution was originally developed specifically for cleanrooms. The principle is also suitable for many other sectors. We see great potential in the seventh axes of robots, linear robot axes and other systems with variable-length axes. Another market for our e-spin solution is applications where long travels and smooth running are required, such as large format printers. In the past, oversized energy chains were sometimes used here in order to be able to transport a relatively small amount of cable over a longer distance.

What specific advantages does the e-spin offer system manufacturers with variable axis lengths?

e-spin creates planning security and flexibility: the attachment height remains constant across all lengths. Up to now, an unsupported energy chain has often been used for smaller axis lengths. From an axis length of around 10 to 12 metres, a sliding solution with a guide trough is used. This has led to various configurations of the system. There is also a critical area in which the travel is too long to be unsupported and not yet ideal for gliding, because the energy chain does not yet settle properly in the guide trough. With the e-spin, system manufacturers will no longer have to make any compromises in future. The same configuration can be used all the time and the energy chain can be designed to be smaller. This reduces the number of versions, simplifies design and speeds up project processing - regardless of whether the travel amounts to 5, 10, or 30m.

What is the greatest benefit for the user?

For users, the focus is on operation and suitability for everyday use. The e-spin runs particularly quietly, does not require a guide trough on the floor and is easy to install. As the system rolls instead of gliding, wear is significantly reduced. The result is a virtually maintenance-free, durable energy supply with consistent motion sequences and high process reliability over its entire service life.