Cable drag chain systems Overview - Eegholm

Guide channel systems forcable drag chains serve astrays for short travel distancesand at the same timeas guides for long traveldistances. If no guide channelis used it is possible thatthe chain links may lay andmove incorrectly. Especiallyfor large bend radii as theside guidance does not exist.In most applications the cables/conduitsenter the chainat a position central to thetravel. This gives the shortestlength of chain. In this casethe chain is about half aslong as the travel distance.If the chain is moved to theleft (see illustration below) itsimply rolls in the channel. Ifit is moved to the right, thenit stacks on top of itself oncethe unsupported length hasbeen exceeded. If the movementis continued to theright, then the glide rail adjuststhe difference in heightand guarantees the minimumpossible friction. This ensuresthe optimum free and correctrunning of the cable dragchain.Section A-A:The cable drag chain glides on itselfSection B-B:The cable drag chain runs on the glide rail69