Industrial Ethernet is the future step for the digitalized factory of tomorrow: The world of fieldbuses is stagnating, while the number of Ethernet nodes is increasing at high double-digit growth rates. In Asia in particular, but also increasingly in Europe, users are turning to CC-Link IE (Industrial Ethernet) technologies. These systems offer seamless data exchange at all levels of a production plant, from the top management level to the production levels.

The CC-Link IE Controller network has been designed for the rapid exchange of large amounts of data in a factory or production plant, while the CC-Link IE Field network has been optimized for connecting a wide variety of devices and connecting them to other existing networks, such as the standard CC-Link.

These increasing demands on industrial Ethernet communication nodes require a secure and durable connection between the components due to the growing volume of data streams. The CAT5e and CAT6 Chainflex Ethernet cables are ideal for ensuring this communication. With over 76 million strokes at a bending radius of 9.5 x d, they were able to prove their long service life in the Igus test laboratory in test 3089.

Secure data transmission
A major challenge in industrial environments is the limited service life of data streams due to the ageing of moving cables. With the bus series CFBUS.045 CFBUS.PUR.045, CFBUS.PVC.045 (CAT5e) and CFBUS.049, CFBUS.PUR.049 and CFBUS.PVC.049 (CAT6), Igus now offers a range of cables that fulfill the following attributes: All cables have been specially developed and tested for use in energy chains. All test data is also fed into an online tool that calculates the service life of all Chainflex cables. Another quality feature of the cables is reflected in their approvals: All new bus cables have been certified by the CLPA (CC-Link Partner Association) following electrical test series, and they also have the increased 600 volt UL approval.

With more than 1,350 types, Igus offers the largest range of cables for the energy chain with an international selection of approvals, such as CC-Link certification. The motion cable specialist also offers UL-certified Chainflex cables for mechanical and plant engineering. For exporting companies, this means uncomplicated market entry into the United States when it comes to customs clearance.