Halved installation times thanks to ready-to-install energy supply systems

• What was needed: durable, ready-to-install energy supply system
• Requirements: had to fit into limited available installation space, protecting the cables against swarf and dust, resistant cables for movement
• Product: readychain harnessed energy chain
• Area of application: woodworking
• Success for the customer: installation time of the energy supply systems was halved, resulting in short downtimes; reduction in production costs at the Weeke Bohrsysteme GmbH site in Germany

About the Venture series processing machine: the new series of processing machines for stationary production covers the complete processing of drilling, milling and sawing as well as grooving of workpieces in one clamping procedure. As it is a modular system, it can be expanded in future. Its areas of application include door, office furniture and kitchen processing.

There is little space available and the complex movements put a lot of strain on the cables. The feed rate is 100m/min. and the travels are 4 to 6m. Furthermore, protection from swarf and dust is necessary.
As drilling is carried out at up to 24,000 revolutions, very fine dust is produced which must not be allowed to enter the chain joints, even when the machines are working with flying swarf. The chain should also allow for fast assembly and easy maintenance.

Energy tubes were chosen to supply the two axes of the stationary machines. This made it possible to fulfil a requirement of the American market. The swarf-repelling outer contour and the encapsulated or closed stop-dogs protect cables and hoses. The good ratio of the inner to the outer dimension means that the tubes can be installed in a space-saving manner. The 23 chainflex cables are internationally designed and fulfil UL requirements.

At Weeke, different pre-fitted energy supply systems were designed for three machine types. By supplying ready-to-install energy chain systems, it was possible to reduce downtimes and save costs.