igus launches triflex TRE ESD, the world’s first ready-to-connect dress pack for industrial robots that is now ESD-certified, including all connection elements. The solution tested by Fraunhofer IPA significantly reduces design effort and increases safety in sensitive production areas such as microelectronics, the semiconductor industry or in the component production of battery systems. The system can be seen for the first time at automatica 2025 in Munich.
Problems in the production line for miniature cameras: an industrial robot picks up a camera module from the conveyor belt to place it on a test platform. A tiny discharge spark flies across, invisible to the human eye. The module is destroyed. These Electrostatic Discharges (ESD) are repeated until operators finally find the culprit: a clamp with which the dress pack is attached to the industrial robot.
igus closes a safety gap with triflex ESD
“Until now, no ESD-certified system covered both the energy chain and all connections in the critical area”,” says Matthias Meyer, Head of Business Unit triflex e-chains and Robotics at igus. “Many users therefore realised their own connections. In addition to a high level of design effort, this also repeatedly led to errors that ultimately caused electrostatic discharges during production.” To solve this problem, igus is now launching triflex TRE ESD. “This is the world’s first ready-to-connect dress pack that is ESD-capable.” The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) has tested and certified the system for discharge capability – from the chain to the tension clamp to the strain relief. “Special coatings and dissipative materials guarantee that all components reliably dissipate electrostatic charges,” says Meyer. “Design engineers no longer have to worry about ESD hazards when working in safety zones.”
Customers have been using basic systems successfully for over 15 years
The trifle ESD consists of movable, round links made of the high-performance plastic igumid ESD. The energy chain contains energy and data cables as well as hydraulic hoses that lead from the base of the robot to its working tool. The standard RS retraction or fibre-rod system are based on the same retraction system: internal fibreglass rods. They ensure automatic retraction or an unsupported length that prevents contact between robot and energy chain. They are completely enclosed by the dissipative triflex R energy chain so that any voltage that may occur can be dissipated immediately. The chain is also available as a closed TRC ESD system, which has dry cleanroom certification (ISO Classes 4 and 5) from Fraunhofer IPA. “Both systems can be adapted to all common robot types and manufacturers. Their standard versions have been successfully used for over 15 years in customer environments,” says Meyer. “The additional ESD certification for energy chains and all connections in critical areas now offers our customers even more safety.”
More information: Email: aheinzelmann@igus.net or
Website: www.igus.in
