Modular, flat, and quickly assembled: e-skin flat single pods for cleanrooms

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To run cables compactly and almost particle-free in cleanroom environments, igus developed the e-skin flat. To enable users to assemble the energy chain even faster and easily exchange cables, igus now also offers the e-skin flat as a "single pod". This allows the user to define the number of chambers themselves, modularly combine them, and insert cables in seconds. A new support chain further stabilizes the e-skin flat and ensures a higher free-standing length.

The advancing electrification from electric cars to smartwatches is currently causing significant growth in the semiconductor industry. For the industry, this means a high investment in the development and production of electronic components, semiconductors, OLED, and LCD displays in cleanrooms. Therefore, machine elements such as cables and energy guides that meet strict particle-free requirements are also in demand. Specifically designed for cable management in compact spaces within cleanrooms, igus developed the e-skin flat. "We first introduced the extremely flat energy guide at Hannover Messe 2019, and since then, the demand has been very high," explains Peter Mattonet, Industry Manager for Cleanroom Technology at igus GmbH. The use of similar energy guide solutions or CleanCable solutions had the major disadvantage that in the event of a cable failure, the entire energy guide had to be replaced. igus now offers a maintenance-friendly solution with the e-skin flat as a single pod variant. The user can now define the number of chambers themselves, connect them, expand at any time, cut to the desired length, and insert cables. Alternatively, igus also offers a ready-to-connect system with specially developed cleanroom cables. The e-skin flat single pods are available in two sizes as closed and open variants. In the closed version, cables can be easily routed through the chamber openings, while in the open version, cables are inserted from the side and closed with a hook-and-loop fastener. "The main advantage of the e-skin flat single pods lies in easy maintenance, because unlike alternative solutions, the cables are not sealed in a foil. The chamber system allows the cables to be easily reinstalled. The concept convinces customers," says Peter Mattonet.

Support chain as a "spine"

To increase the stability of the e-skin flat single pods, igus now also offers a support chain for the closed variant. It enables a higher free-standing length of the single pods. This ensures a stable run and adherence to the defined bending radius of 40 to 100 mm. The integrated chain is made from a highly wear-resistant igus plastic, matched to the material of the e-skin flat, and features rounded edges that do not damage the chambers. All cleanroom solutions are tested by igus in its new cleanroom laboratory, which the Fraunhofer Institute IPA has established for the motion plastics specialist in Cologne. Here, all products undergo testing in the cleanroom up to air cleanliness class 1 according to ISO 14644-1.