twisterchain® - circular and spiral movements, can be opened on both sides

The twisterchain® product line offers a wide selection for circular movements and is available in four sizes. Modular in width and radius, therefore flexible in applications where rotary and spiral movements up to 360° and more with high loads and high running smoothness are required. twisterchain® applications are available with guide trough, which has the following advantages: guidance of the energy chain, reduced abrasion of the energy chain, optimum running smoothness, rotation angle up to 360° from stock.

Stable, high additional loads possible, smooth running, weight-optimised
Rotational speeds up to 1m/s and more
Circular/spiral movements up to 360° from stock (up to 400° upon request)
Cable-friendly, smooth interior can be opened crossbar in inner and outer radius
Successfully tested over 1 million cycles in the igus® laboratory

twisterchain® 3D CAD configurator
Generation of complete twisterchain® 3D-CAD models.

to the configurator

Application examples
Applications in various industrial sectors and in the igus® test laboratory.

Go to application examples

Assembly instructions
Assembling the twisterchain®.

Assembly instructions

Delivery programmes

crossbar removable in inner and outer radius

Series TC32

inner height hi: 32 mm
inner width Bi: 87.5 - 150 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 250 mm
pitch: 56 mm

e-chain®, can be opened on both sides

Series TC42

inner height hi: 42 mm
inner width Bi: 87.5 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 250 mm
pitch: 67 mm

e-chain®, can be opened on both sides

Series TC56

inner height hi: 56 mm
inner width Bi: 125 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 150 - 400 mm
pitch: 91 mm

e-chain®, can be opened on both sides

Series 2208

inner height hi: 28 mm
inner width Bi: 52.5 - 112.5 mm
bend radius R: 55 - 150 mm
pitch: 44 mm

e-chain®, can be opened on both sides

twisterchain® generally valid

For machine elements that move in a circle both to the left and to the right, the rotation angle is calculated by adding the two angles.

AR = outer radius energy chain

X1 = Inner mechanical engineering

HF = e-chain® Height incl. 50mm free space

hi = inner height energy chain

IR = inner radius energy chain

X2 = Outer mechanical engineering

HH = e-chain® height

ha = outer height energy chain

R = bend radius energy chain

T = pitch

K = Surcharge for bend radius

α = rotation angle

twisterchain general information

For machine elements that move in a circle both to the left and to the right, the rotation angle is calculated by adding the two angles.

Legend
B = Outer limit
C = Machine
D = fixed end
E = Upper limit
AR = outer radius chain
IR = inner radius chain
R = bend radius chain
X1 = Inner engineering space
X2 = AR chain incl. clearance
T = pitch
HF = Chain height incl. 50 mm clearance
H = chain height
K = Surcharge for bend radius
hi = inner height of the chain
ha = outer height of the chain
α = rotation angle

Instructions for designing the twisterchain® new using an example:

If you would like us to do the project planning for you, please use the igus®® system project planning. If you would like to define the e-chain® and support trough yourself, please work through the following points and enter the results in the calculation aid at the end of the chapter.

1. Select series and determine chain width - customer data for example:

Available installation space outer radius = 592 mm
Available installation space inner radius = 311 mm
α rotation angle = 220°
clearance height = 466 mm
max. Ø cable customer = 22 mm (7.5xd)

Estimate the dimensions of the chain based on the interior separation with filling and select the series or check the max. Check the max. cable diameter and select the series based on the next largest permissible Ø. (We recommend taking into account a cable clearance of approx. 20% of the inner height and width of the chain for the inner height).

max. Ø cable diameter twisterchain®: TC32 = 28 mm | TC42 = 38 mm | TC56 = 50 mm Example: max. Ø cable diameter customer 22 mm = TC32 series (next larger)

2. Select outer radius AR

Select the next smaller X2 of the chain from the available installation space of the outer radius. Subtract 80 mm from dimension X2 to obtain the required outer radius AR. For selection of chain outer radii, see table dimension X2 of the corresponding series.

Formula AR = X2 - 80 mm

Example:
1. available installation space outer radius 592 mm => 580 mm (X2)
2nd X2 580 mm - 80 mm => AR 500 mm (next smaller selected)

3. select inner radius IR

Add 25 mm to the available installation space of the inner radius and then select the largest X1 of the chain. The selected value results in the max. width Bi. selection from the table of the corresponding series.

Formula: IRmin. = X1 + 25 mm

Example:
Available installation space inner radius 311 mm + 25 mm = 336 mm => X1 350 mm = Bi 11 (108 mm)

4. Determine bend radius R

In principle, the chain bend radius R is determined by the smallest bend radius of the cable. Selection from the table of the corresponding series.

Example:
1. Ø 22 mm (7.5xd) => 22 mm x 7.5 = 165 mm Cable bend radius min.
2. 165 =>R 175 mm (next larger selected) results => Part No.. TC32.11.175/500

5. determine the required installation height

A surcharge of 170 mm is added to twice the value of the selected chain end radius R.

Example:
R 175 mm x 2 + 170 mm = H 520 mm

6. calculate the required number of links

Note: The resulting number of links must always be rounded up! The mounting bracket can only be fitted to the outer link of the twisterchain® new. Therefore, the number of links must always be increased to the next larger odd number! twisterchain® new generally applies: For machine elements that move in a circle both to the left and to the right, the rotation angle is calculated by adding the two angles.

Recommendations for designing the twisterchain new without additional components

Series	AR [mm]	FZmax. [kg/m] α0°- 180°	FZmax. [kg/m] α180°- 360°	v at AR permissible [m/s]	a at AR max. [m/s2]
TC32	400	4	2	1	2
	500	4	2	1	2
	600	4	2	1	2
TC42	400	6	3.6	1	2
	500	6	3.6	1	2
	600	6	3.6	1	2
	650	5	2.7	1	1.5
	750	4	1.8	1	1
	850	4	1.8	1	1
TC56	650	8	5	1	2
	750	8	5	1	2
	850	8	5	1	2

Selecting the right twisterchain®

1. determine series and chain width

Determine which cables you want to use to assemble the chain. The required series and chain width result from the assignment and the largest cable diameter. For the inner height, we recommend taking into account a cable clearance of approx. 20% of the inner height and width of the chain. This means that series 3808 should be selected for a cable diameter of 30 mm, for example.

2. determine outer and inner radius

Determine the available installation space (dimension X1 and X2)
Example: α = 220° / max. cable diameter 24 mm -> Series 2808
X2 = 580 mm -> AR = 500 mm
X1 = 310 mm -> IRmin. = 390 mm -> Selection table -> 392 mm

3. Determine bend radius R

HF = 460 mm -> H ≤ 410 mm -> R = = 178 mm -> R175* results: Part No.. 2808.087.175/500
*Smaller radius coming soon

Formula for calculating the number of links

4. calculate the required number of links

The resulting number of links must always be rounded up!
The connecting elements can only be fitted to the outer link of the twisterchain®. Therefore, the number of links must always be increased to the next larger odd number!

Legend
A = Outer limit
B = Machine
C = Upper limit
a = Acceleration
α = rotation angle
AR = outer radius e-chain®
Ba = e-chain®® -outer width
Bi = e-chain®® -inner width
FZmax = max. additional load
H = Nominal clearance height
ha = e-chain®® -outside height
hi = e-chain®® -inner height
HF = Required clearance height incl. 50 mm free space
IR = Inner radius e-chain®
K = Surcharge for bend radius
for length calculation n = Number of chain links
R = bend radius
T = pitch
v = Travelling speed
X1 = Inner machine installation space
X2 = outer radius incl. clearance
RLK = Distance pivot point/fixing holes outside

twisterchain® is generally valid:
For machine elements that move in a circle both to the left and to the right, the rotation angle is calculated by adding the two angles.

The following clearances are essential for the chain to function correctly:

**IRmin. = X1 + 80 mm

X2 min. = AR + 80 mm

HF = H + 50 mm**

Realised in practice: twisterchain in multiple robots

A twisterchain® proves its worth in the circular movement of the rotary axis of a multiple robot. Here it is used for a rotary movement of 180°. hose and cable are guided securely, abrasion is significantly reduced and running smoothness is increased.

Explore application examples

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Justin Leonard01604 677240 Submit form

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