Cable Guide Chains
Flexatec® Cable Guide Chains for Industrial Machinery and Automation
Flexatec® cable guide chains provide controlled guidance and protection for cables, wires, data lines, and pneumatic hoses in repetitive-motion applications on industrial machinery and automated equipment.
Available in lightweight all-plastic designs and robust plastic-and-aluminum configurations, Flexatec cable guide chains support applications ranging from compact automation and packaging machinery to machine tools, material-handling systems, gantries, and larger industrial equipment.
IBIS supplies Flexatec cable guide chains for new equipment, machine upgrades, replacement installations, and ongoing equipment support, with product guidance to help match chain size, construction, bend radius, and configuration to the application.
Common applications include:
- Industrial automation and production equipment
- CNC and machine tools
- Packaging and material-handling machinery
- Gantries, conveyors, and linear-motion systems
- Robotics and other equipment requiring repeated cable or hose movement
Flexatec® cable guide chains are part of the industrial cable management and protection solutions supplied by IBIS Electro-Products Corp., providing controlled guidance and protection for cables, wires, and hoses on dynamic-motion machinery and equipment.
Explore Flexatec Cable Guide Chains
Choosing the Right Flexatec Cable Guide Chain
Selecting the correct cable guide chain begins with the size and weight of the cables and hoses being carried, followed by the movement and operating requirements of the machine.
Important selection factors include:
- Inner width and height — Provide sufficient space for cables and hoses without overcrowding the chain.
- Bend radius — Match the chain bend radius to the minimum bend requirements of the cables and hoses being carried.
- Travel length — Consider total machine movement and the support requirements of the chain.
- Cable and hose load — Account for the combined weight and arrangement of the cables and hoses.
- Speed and movement frequency — Consider operating speed, cycle frequency, and repetitive-motion requirements.
- Mounting orientation — Evaluate horizontal, vertical, unsupported, or other machine arrangements.
- Operating environment — Consider temperature, contamination, debris, and other surrounding conditions.
IBIS can help review these requirements and identify an appropriate Flexatec chain family and configuration.
Flexatec Cable Guide Chain Options
All-Plastic Light-Duty Cable Guide Chains
Flexatec all-plastic cable guide chains provide lightweight, flexible cable management for smaller cable bundles and light-to-moderate load applications.
Their compact construction makes them well suited to automation equipment, packaging machinery, handling systems, and other repetitive-motion applications where a lightweight cable guide chain is appropriate.
Plastic and Aluminum Heavy-Duty Cable Guide Chains
Flexatec heavy-duty cable guide chains combine durable plastic side links with aluminum crossbars for applications requiring larger internal dimensions, increased cable and hose capacity, and greater structural strength.
These chains are suited to machine tools, gantries, industrial automation, material-handling systems, and other equipment with larger moving cable packages or more demanding operating requirements.
Guide Chain Accessories and Components
Flexatec guide chain accessories help organize cables and hoses, connect and mount the chain to the machine, and configure the system for the application.
Depending on the Flexatec family, available components may include separators, crossbars, end brackets, mounting components, links, and other system or replacement parts.
New Equipment, Retrofit, and Replacement Applications
New Equipment and OEM Applications
For OEMs, machine builders, integrators, and industrial users developing new equipment, IBIS can help determine an appropriate Flexatec cable guide chain based on cable capacity, dimensions, bend radius, travel, motion, mounting, and operating requirements.
Machine Upgrades and Retrofits
Changes to machine wiring, controls, pneumatics, or motion requirements can increase the demands placed on an existing cable management system. Flexatec cable guide chains can be evaluated for machine upgrades and retrofit applications where the cable package or operating requirements have changed.
Existing Flexatec Installations and Replacement
For machines already equipped with Flexatec cable guide chains, the original part number is the most efficient and reliable way to identify a replacement chain or component.
If the part number is unavailable, clear photographs, dimensions, chain pitch, bend radius, mounting arrangement, and visible markings can help identify the installed product and determine an appropriate replacement option.
A complete chain does not always need to be replaced. Depending on the Flexatec family and condition of the installation, individual links, crossbars, separators, end brackets, mounting components, or other replacement parts may be available.
Flexatec Cable Guide Chain FAQs
What information is needed to select a Flexatec cable guide chain for a new application?
Important information includes the cable and hose package, required inner dimensions, cable and hose weight, travel length, bend radius, movement speed and frequency, mounting orientation, available installation space, and operating environment. IBIS can help review these parameters when selecting a suitable Flexatec chain.
What is the difference between all-plastic and plastic-and-aluminum Flexatec chains?
All-plastic chains provide a lightweight solution for smaller and light-to-moderate load applications. Plastic-and-aluminum designs provide greater width, cable and hose capacity, and structural strength for larger cable packages and more demanding industrial equipment. The correct construction depends on the size, load, travel, and operating requirements of the application.
What applications are Flexatec cable guide chains commonly used in?
Flexatec cable guide chains are used on industrial automation, machine tools, packaging equipment, material-handling systems, conveyors, gantries, linear-motion equipment, robotics, and other machinery where cables and hoses must move repeatedly with the equipment.
Can IBIS help identify an existing Flexatec cable guide chain?
Yes. The original Flexatec part number is the most reliable identification method. If it is unavailable, provide clear photographs, inner and outer dimensions, chain pitch, bend radius, mounting configuration, and any visible markings. IBIS can use this information to help determine the installed chain family and available replacement options.
Can individual Flexatec chain components be replaced?
Depending on the Flexatec chain family and condition of the installation, individual components such as links, crossbars, separators, end brackets, or mounting components may be available. The exact chain family and size should be confirmed before replacement components are ordered.
Are Flexatec cable guide chains interchangeable with other brands?
Cable guide chains from different manufacturers should not be assumed to be directly interchangeable. Similar-looking chains can differ in pitch, bend radius, link geometry, dimensions, opening style, mounting components, and load capacity. The complete application should be reviewed before selecting an alternative.
Need Help Selecting a Flexatec Cable Guide Chain?
Whether you are designing a new machine, updating existing equipment, or replacing an installed Flexatec chain, IBIS can help identify the appropriate product family and configuration for your application.