e-skin flat ESD: For the highest safety and cleanliness in cleanrooms

For the safe and particle-free production of ESD-sensitive parts, igus has developed an electrostatically dissipative version of e-skin flat — also with replaceable cables. (Source: igus GmbH)

Especially for highly sensitive cleanrooms, igus has expanded its e-skin flat series to include an ESD variant. The new material of the modular flat cable prevents electrostatic charging of the chain and at the same time ensures particle-free operation, even during the fastest movements. At the same time, the modular design with individual pods allows for quick filling of the energy guide.

In the production of electronics and semiconductor industries, alongside particle-free cleanrooms, machine components that are electrically conductive are also in demand. Because only the tiniest unnoticed electric shock caused by electrostatic charge can easily destroy valuable products. Therefore, igus has added an ESD variant to its e-skin flat series. The new black e-skin flat is made from an electrically dissipative material. "The new material combines the low particle emission of the proven e-skin flat with a frequently required ESD approval. The chain produces almost no particles and dissipates electrical charges directly," explains Kira Weller, product manager for e-chains at igus. "With the new e-skin flat ESD, we have developed exactly the product our customers need for the production of sensitive electronic components." The flat cable is used, for example, by automation specialist Weiss in its high-speed pick & place unit HP70. This is used among other things for material handling in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Weiss is enthusiastic about the advantages of the e-skin flat ESD. Compared to traditional convoluted hoses, the igus flat cable is significantly more stable, quieter, and less prone to wear during rapid movements. It also outperforms laminated flat cables made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with its modular design. In the company's own cleanroom laboratory, developed together with the Fraunhofer Institute, the new e-skin flat has already proven itself in the highest cleanroom class.

Easy to replace cables

For quick and easy assembly of the e-skin flat, so-called "single pod" profiles are used. This allows the energy guide to be easily extended. A zip-lock system gives users the ability to simply replace the cables. "This is a significant advantage over the widely used PTFE flat cables, where the stranded conductors are welded into a continuous flat cable and cannot be separated. When a single conductor breaks, the entire system must be replaced. This costs time and money," explains Kira Weller. "We offer CFCLEAN conductor wires for our e-skin flat for the transmission of energy, motor control, bus, and Ethernet signals. This provides the user with a ready-to-connect energy guide system directly from a single source." If longer travel distances of up to five meters are required, users can rely on a support chain that is easily integrated into the pods. Spacers, connection elements of the e-skin flat series, as well as the smart i.Cee EC.S ultrasonic sensor for condition monitoring, are also compatible with the new ESD chain.