Chainflex cables

Figure 1 represents test results for a Chainflex ® -line with 6fiber-optic cables. The length of the test sample is 1m andthe maximum tensile load 250 N.Course of the increase in attenuationas a function of the tensile forceFigure 2: Course of the increase in attenuation as a functionof the number of cycles.Increase in attenuation as a functionof the number n of travel movementsA in dBA in dBForce F in NThe tensile forces required to integrate fiber-optic cablesin Energy Chains ® are usually much lower than 250 N. Theincrease in attenuation was 0,17 dB at maximum tensileforce and disappeared completely after the tensile load wasreleased. Thus no effect on attenuation should be expected.In the case of plastic fiber-optic cables that are bent veryoften, as is the case in applications with Energy Chains ® ,then further influencing factors such as material fatigue,dulling of the materials, micro-cracks right through to completefiber fracture must be feared, and their influence onattenuation can only be investigated in extensive practicaltests such as those carried out by igus ® .Number of cycle's n x 100.000The excellent test results, shown in part here, of the Chainflex ®-lines must not be taken for granted, as investigations offiber-optic cables from other manufacturers showed, someof which even failed with complete breaks in the fibers.The investigations revealed that Chainflex ® fiber-optic cablesare not influenced in their function by mechanical loadssuch as tensile, transverse or bending stresses in EnergyChains ® . Therefore they are perfectly suitable for use in thesometimes rough industrial environments for the interference-prooftransfer of information between drive and controlelements of machines.Bibliography: [1] Plastic fiber-optic cables for flexible Energysupply systems: Bernfried Späth, Frank BlaseProduct information FOC page 24433