I think it's easier to just ignore the radius (other than to ensure the turn isn't to tight for the cables in it) - look at the "Loop Height" listed in McMaster's spec table - it lists the total overall height when the chain is at it's maximum internal radius and both "legs" are parallel to one another. For the Y-axis, this should be 7" + the height of the cable chain itself. So, ideally you want an overall height of 8" when using a 1" high/tall chain.

Does anyone know where to purchase the Igus 20-2-075-0 Gerald recommends?

David,

It has been change to new Igus numbers since last Gerald original post
Look up for the E2 series, 200/240/250 section
#200-03 is the 38w x 25h inside dim [1.50" x 0.98"] x the radi you want (75mm best).
The #200-05 is the next step, 57w x 25h [2.24"x 0.98")
The 200 series is a non snap-open chain. If you want open individual tabs, #240 for inner radius opening & #250 for the outer opening. See IGUS web for more detail.
Hope this can help, Robert

. . . . . .that is why I said:

In your case, bend the nose of bracket 10 60 325 up at an angle, to even out the y-chain.

I thought that Igus has on-line shopping in the US? Recall somebody mentioning that they had a successful direct purchase. . . .

I used the Mcmaster part # that was recomended, i must have gotten the larger radius also because I am at about 10" outside to outside on the tightest bend I could get. It wasn't any problem to fix though I just lowered my x chain brackets by adding a small plate, and I lowered my y support bracket slightly and bent the zcar bracket for the y chain. All my chains now look nice and parallel with the Mechmate. I don't think anyone that didn't know, would think it was designed to be like that anyway.

For the S.Africans:

The local cable chain suppliers are ranging between R544 and R674 per meter. (That includes Kobus's Magquip connection for Kabelschlep in Roodepoort). McMaster-Carr is selling 6ft lengths at $75, which translates to R328 per meter. A huge difference!

http://za.rs-online.com/web/ has some attractive prices, even though it is a mail order house operating out of England . . . . .

Using smaller radius chains
 

Copied from a personal thread:

We got the chains mounted . . . . .

Nice pictures!

Maybe I made this too tight . . . . .

Because you are using a small radius cable chain, you don't have much other option for attaching it to the y-car. (Mostly we would use a bigger radius chain and attach on top). But, you can drill some holes in your Y-car (near where you have the marked A) and pass the cables inside of the Y-car as soon as they leave the chain.

Gerald,
Do you think a hole in the car is better than a hole through the bracket and then into the two holes on top of the car? Astheticly I like your idea better. We liked the look of small radius chain and used the same width for both. Might have been better to have used narrower chain for y.

Okay, that screw head does clear okay.

That part of the Y-car can be drilled for the cables. I might even add some holes there on the laser cuts.

The smaller radius cable chain should be okay. It is decided by the minimum radius of the stuff you want to put into it. That might include hoses and thick cables for serious spindles and/or air/sand blasters.

Hi all, see in the link below, some information about cable chain.
Valdir

Sorry, you can see the cable chain demonstration below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAPmZ...eature=channel
Valdir

Valdir, I would like to see what happens when that cable chain is bumped from the side with a sheet of plywood. The nylon cable chains will snap open, but they can be clipped together again with no permanent damage.

Confession time. I made some cable chain and it looked almost identical to the one in the video, but just couldn't make myself use it. I reasoned my $20,000 MechMate deserved the extra $150.:eek:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...=25257&page=13
Are have a DIY design for making chain. They have a DXF for a couple of
different designs if anyone is interested.

Hi Gerald,
MDF is not really a good material, if necessary, we can to use other material,
Valdir

I found a local chap (South Africa) that makes a chain that cost effective and available. He only makes one size but it is good enough for most machines. The best is that it only cost R250-00 per meter. His name is Raymond, 083 283 6715.

Gerald,
I have purchased some of the chain from Raymond and I am very happy with it. The radius is actually 75mm, just right for the MM.

cable chain source
 

I bought the IGUS cable carriers from www.reidsupply.com cheaper than mcmaster (about 30 dlls less), the only turnoaround was that they didnt have them in stock, 2 weeks wait, not problem at all with them, they appreciated my business, I got a thanks email, and a invitation for a contest for some free stuff, It made me feel better after mcmaster insident :).Only two things more from macmaster I wish, tension springs, and gas springs, but sure ill get them from some one else ...

Direct Order from Igus
 

I ordered my chains today directly from Igus. Their prices seemed reasonable (about $3-4 less than McMaster) and they had in stock the smaller 2.95 radius, which I had a hard time finding elsewhere. I ordered the following:

200.03.075 (1.5 x .98 ID, 2.95R) $10.59/ft
200.05.100 (2.24 x .98 ID, 3.94R) $11.66/ft

I couldn't find a link to order through their website, but I ordered over the phone at 1-800-521-2747. Not sure if they ship internationally.

John did you order the cable ends?

I almost forgot but the Igus rep reminded me. They were $11-12/set...oddly a dollar more than McMaster.

I got the pivoting kind of bracket...is this correct?

You just need some way to connect the ends to the metal, they should work fine.

John,

Yes, they pivot. They will work fine.

I am surprised that from the factory they were less expensive. They usually are more. They must be working on selling product.

I was quoted $125/meter+tax (3.3feet) from the local igus distributor for 200.03.075, I find the quote a ripoff. So I started looking in USA, found that this model is no longer listed at their site, the suggested replacements are:

2500.03.075.0 E-Chains® Series 2500
2030.12PZB Mounting bracket, complete set incl. tiewrap plates 2030.34PZB Mounting bracket, complete set incl. tiewrap plates
2500.05.075.0 E-Chains® Series 2500
2050.12PZB Mounting bracket, complete set with chain tiewrap plate
2050.34PZB Mounting bracket, complete set with chain tiewrap plate

Im waiting for their quote.

Received the quote, the chains are USD13ish/feet ex-factory Igus USA, but in the meantime I found a local source for the CPS cablechain (the one with the blue dots on the side). I was quoted USD37/meter, local price and inmediate availability!! Model CPS036N.035 and CPS036N.055

Here is the datasheet


I have one question, given the choice of 70 or 90mm bending radius, what would be better?

Pablo,
90 would be my choice....That puts the overall loop size about 200mm or 8" Any tighter you might start breaking cable fiber.

I was going to check into cps cable chain, but their website is listed as "dangerous" by google.

I received the same warning, but Im brave and I went ahead, nothing happened :) (I have nod32 antivirus up to date just in case)