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Does your automated equipment require a long-distance cable/hose management solution? Dynatect offers a variety of support systems for applications that exceed a carrier’s unsupported span. At 200 feet, Dynatect has the longest cable carrier testing capabilities, located outdoors to experience the same conditions as many applications. Dynatect’s long travel cable carriers are ideal for many applications including robot transfer units, large machining centers, gantry robots, plasma and flame cutters, CNC drilling, automated welding, CNC burn tables, transfer systems, gantry cranes, and high-speed sawmill equipment.
An application is considered long travel when a cable carrier exceeds its rated unsupported span. Unsupported span is a function of the type of cable carrier (steel or plastic), the total weight of the carrier, its fill weight (cables/hoses), and travel distance. Every cable carrier has an unsupported span. As the unsupported span of the carrier is exceeded, the carrier begins to sag. At this point, the carrier needs additional support or guidance to operate safely and reliably.
In plastic carrier systems, support guidance is required when sag reaches the point where the upper (moving) section of the carrier contacts the lower section.
Metal cable carrier systems tend to have longer unsupported spans than plastic carriers. If needed, long travel guidance systems are available for metal cable carriers.
An important consideration for applications requiring plastic carriers in a guide trough is the bending moment that occurs at the moving end as the carrier is pushing, particularly when high velocities/accelerations and heavy fill weights are introduced.
A potential solution for this problem is lowering the mounting height of the carrier, thereby reducing the bending moment. In a lowered mounting height design, the moving end begins gliding immediately as it begins to push.
The lowered mounting height is achieved by adding reverse bend links, extending the ‘K’ dimension of the carrier.
Dynatect can run tow force calculations on an application to determine whether a lowered mounting height is advisable.
In cases where the moving end cannot be lowered due to application restrictions, a “push plate” may be utlilized. If the moving end cannot be mounted at the recommended mounting height, a push plate provides additional support to the carrier system at the bending moment that occurs at the moving end as the carrier is pushing.
When the carrier performs under normal operation without sag, force is applied is a straight trajectory along the moving section:
As sag is introduced, the mass of the carrier falls below the force plane, creating a bending moment on the links at the moving end:
In a long travel carrier system configured for a lowered mounting height, the sag is eliminated, redirecting the force vector back to a straight trajectory. Furthermore, the loading that the carrier introduces as it is dragged over the bottom carrier section is replaced with a more even wear pattern. The force is distributed over the entire system instead of just the first few links at the moving end:
The most common method of support in plastic carrier applications where unsupported spans are exceeded is to install a guide trough to prevent lateral movement during travel.
In a center mounted application, the trough consists of two sections: deep and shallow. As the carrier begins to travel from the retracted position, it initially sags and rides on itself. When the gliding section passes the center point, it transitions to the shallow trough segment.
Benefits of Guide Trough Systems:
For Metal or Plastic Carriers
Stationary support rollers are available for unsupported spans that exceed the maximum lengths listed on specific track series load chart. They are available on both plastic carriers and metal carriers.
Support Roller for Metal Carriers
Support Rollers for Plastic Carriers
Carriage support systems are used for long travel applications where cable/hose load, tow force, or speed exceeds the limits available with other long travel systems (support rollers, guide troughs). A rolling style carriage support system can be used with plastic or metal cable carriers. The drum style carriage support system is used exclusively with metal carriers.
Rolling carriage support systems consist of rollers, conveyor supports and a moving rail framework that supports the carrier throughout the complete length of travel. The entire system is guided by channels that ensure accuracy and dependability, even at extremely high loads and velocities. The system can be self-guiding for travels under 50 feet. Guide channel required for travels over 50 feet. Depending on mounting location, a guide channel is recommended for all lengths of carrier travel to prevent outside interference.
Features/Benefits
Carriage support systems consists of a moving framework that has major rollers (drums) at each end and intermediate conveyor supports between the major rollers, which support the cable carrier for the complete length of travel.
The entire system rolls on “C” -channels on the floor (or a bridge).
Single carrier carriage systems require a return cable assembly. For use with metal carriers only.
The Quick Trough modular trough systems is designed for crane kits, indoor cranes, and most standard crane girders.
Dynatect’s patented ARS Long Travel Support System is the evolution of 50 years of experience. Its unique, patented design adds articulating rollers that are positioned to support a standard plastic carrier and provide travels up to 300 feet without a guide trough.
Dynatect’s patented Hybrid carrier solution offers the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) than any other long travel carrier solution, requires less space and averages 50% less installation time than standard long travel systems with guide troughs.