Energy chains significantly reduce cable failures in palletisers from MF TECNO

What was needed: A reliable guide for the moving axes in palletisers as well as in wrap-around cartoning machines and open case packing machines.

Requirements: High tensile strength, low-wear materials, compact assembly, resistance to dust and vibrations, strong guidance during fast movements over long travels

Industry: Packaging industry

Success for the customer: While service technicians were previously confronted with cable damage and unforeseen maintenance work, cable-related downtimes were minimised, maintenance times shortened and the movement sequences of the machines stabilised.
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MF TECNO Packaging Systems develops complete packaging lines consisting of vertical and horizontal packaging machines, bagging machines, palletisers, pallet wrappers and cartoners.

Each machine performs linear and rotary movements, often paired with high speeds, tight installation spaces and dusty environments. In particular, the high dynamics and frequent bending cycles on the vertical and horizontal axes in its palletisers presented MF TECNO with the challenge of finding a suitable cable guide. This is because the cable harnesses, which run close to motors, pneumatic components and mechanical arms, were exposed to a high level of wear. Service technicians reported cable damage during long travels, unpredictable maintenance work and generally reduced availability of the machine during intensive use.

But other packaging machines also posed problems for the engineers. The cable guide of the bagging machines was characterised by high dust load and vibrations. And for the wrap-around cartoning machines, a cable solution had to be found that accommodated the compact design of the machines.

MF TECNO needed a reliable cable management partner who could offer solutions for the different movement sequences and environmental conditions.

The manufacturer now installs E2/000 and E2 micro energy chains in its palletisers. The modular cable guides are suitable for applications with dynamic movements and guide all cables within a fixed radius of movement defined by the chain links. Installed on the X, Y and Z axes of the palletisers, the energy chains prevent vibrations thanks to the defined movement of the cables, minimise cable stress and extend the service life of the systems, even over long travels.

To make them as easy as possible to assemble and maintain later, the energy chains have hinged chain links on the inside and outside that allow quick access to the cables. Assembly is simple and can be flexibly adapted to different machine layouts.

Thanks to their high stability and wear-resistant material, the energy chains are reliable in use. They have therefore been installed in several MF TECNO machine types. In wrap-around cartoning machines, the energy chains enable cable guidance in extremely confined installation spaces. And on bagging systems, the systems work reliably with increased dust loads.

The energy chains installed in the MF TECNO lines now support movements on arms, lifting units, rotary heads, dosing stations and capping units. The structure resists impacts, abrasion and deposits. In addition, chainfix strain relief elements ensure secure positioning of the cables, reduce the load and prevent the formation of cable loops.