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)

So what are the things to look for in chain quality?
I imagine that you get what you pay for, so most here are running to the reassurance of the brand, like IGUS.
I assume that the chain should move freely (some I've looked at don't).

Does anyone have ideas on how to stress test the chains in the store without giving the salesman heart failure?

AFAIK in the way we use the chains you need to be sure they stay rigid and self supported and do not bend over themselves, because this type of chain is not designed to do that, if that happens and you move back, it would destroy the chain.

Take a look at page 15 of the datasheet I posted earlier, for the CPS036N chain, it self supports to a length of 2 meters (6.3ft) maximum and a load of 2.5kg (about 5lbs)

I can imagine 2 o 3 things to test, but I don't know if the dealer would be willing to do them :)

Thanks Pablo,
That helps. I can check bend radius and self supporting and dimensions.
I can also do a "bite test" for material quality ;-) and check tendency for sideways bend

I bought the E-chain from Claudia. The quality is good though (http://www.driver-motor.com/Products.aspx).

Stefan, can't find the info for the E-chain on the weblink. How did you get the info?

Polder

I bought more from them and received an offer. I managed to mount the E-chain. You should ask via mail [email protected] .

Question on 10 60 315 and 10 60 325?

Should not the height of the mounting plate be extended to match the loop height to match the post by Gerald in thread http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=498
The loop height is 9.25 inches and if you mount it on top of the 10 60 325 the placement of the bolt holes is at the bottom radius of the 2x4 tubing. So wouldn't it be better to to extend the mounting height of 10 60 315 or place an offset in 10 60 325? This would add an additional bend process and recalculation of the blank length for that part.
I am using the Igus McMaster Carr 4516T22

You don't want 315 to be mounted too low on the gantry because it will protrude too much into your workspace under your gantry.

325 can simply be creased to tip its nose up at an angle, and that lifts the first link of the e-chain quite a lot.

Gerald,
I noticed on 10 00 000 that it shows an offset in 10 60 325 but the profile does not have that. Since I elected to use the Igus with the 9.5 loop height I will have to raise up the 10 60 315 1" with cylindrical columns and longer bolts. This way the track will not be lower than the gantry tubing. I only thought it was interesting it was shown in one area but not the other and would be most consistant when looking at the drawings. Maybe only a note would be needed on the drawing to adjust the blank length for 10 60 315 to match the offset that would be needed for the cable chain you select.

Bend up at the red line

cable chain
 

Hi does anyone know what length cable chain is needed fo a 10x5 table...thanks

Think i found the answer :)

Andrew,
The formulae is on most cable chain websites.
For me, I always did 1/2 of distance traveled + 1/2 Diameter of bend radius + 24"

That so:
If you have a 10' table.
Actual measured 1/2 length of travel + (1/2 bend radius of 12" x 3.14) + 24" = 102.84" +/- 6" based on your spoil board overtravel area. Most 5' x 10' tables actually travel slightly more. plus end brackets.

Or,
I just order the length of each access and it works with spare links.

Thanks sean