238 Chainflex cables receive certification for use in dry cleanrooms

Increased safety in battery manufacturing: igus successfully certified 238 halogen-free chainflex TPE cables according to Fraunhofer IPA for cleanroom classes 4 and 5. (Source: igus SE & Co. KG)

The number of cleanrooms worldwide is increasing. The focus is primarily on automating the facilities to enable quick and cost-effective production. In addition to its cleanroom-compatible certified energy chains, igus has now also successfully certified its halogen-free chainflex TPE cables with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation (IPA) for cleanroom classes 4 and 5. This allows customers in highly automated battery manufacturing to have energy management solutions with a reliable guaranteed lifespan of up to four years.

In the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, the purity of production conditions plays a key role. Dust and particle emissions as well as humidity can lead to serious quality issues and shorten the lifespan of the products. Therefore, more and more cleanrooms are in demand, where the relative humidity is typically below one percent or in the range of a few ppm water content, to protect hygroscopic materials, such as electrolytes in battery cells, from chemical reactions. However, not all machine components can withstand such challenging environmental conditions. "Many components are susceptible to wear due to the dry air, so they need to be replaced quickly," explains Kira Weller, product manager for e-chains and cleanroom expert at igus. Energy management solutions are essential for reliable energy and data transmission in cleanrooms. "To ensure that our cable management systems meet the requirements of the dry environment, we are working together with the Fraunhofer IPA to develop and certify our motion plastics for use in cleanrooms," says Kira Weller. Now, 238 chainflex cables are also included. "These are our high-end TPE cables, specifically developed and tested for use in energy chains. The range includes control, bus, motor, robot, servo, and measurement system cables," explains Rainer Rösell, Business Unit Manager for chainflex cables at igus. The cables were extensively tested initially in the company's own 5,500-square-meter laboratory in Cologne before receiving the two highest classes 4 and 5 for cleanroom use after long-term testing at the Fraunhofer IPA. The certification guarantees low particle emissions even under prolonged stress, as well as reliable material durability in the dry environment, which are essential prerequisites for modern automation solutions in battery production.

Joint development of certificates with Fraunhofer IPA

"The collaboration with Fraunhofer IPA gives our customers the confidence that our solutions reliably operate even under the strictest conditions," says Rainer Rösell. The specially developed halogen-free TPE plastic coating ensures the highest purity and durability of the cables. Additionally, igus offers a four-year warranty on all its products with a lifespan calculation. The special feature: The TPE cables are catalog items, available directly from stock, by the meter, and without cutting charges. igus also waives minimum order surcharges and packaging costs. In addition to the chainflex cables, the certified igus portfolio includes other products for cleanrooms. These include energy chains from the E6, e-skin soft, e-skin flat, and easy chain E14 series. They have also received certification for cleanroom class 4 and offer ideal solutions for applications in battery production, semiconductor manufacturing, and other sensitive industries where cleanliness and durability are crucial.