igus® engineers created the e-spool® to provide an alternative solution to the traditional cable reel, which guides cables and hoses in confined spaces. e-spools have the ability to run many types of cables and hoses inside a single system, ranging from control and power cables to fiber optics, pneumatics and water lines. Plus, a twisterband replaces slip rings within the system to provide maintenance-free guidance.

The twisterband is what makes the e-spool truly unique. It’s a plastic e-chain® cable carrier that allows rotary movement in a compact space and eliminates an array of complications that typically come with other cable reels, such as wear or threading of brushes. The twisterband provides maintenance-free guidance and fully secures the media it guides. Rotary motion up to 7,000 degrees horizontally and 3,000 degrees vertically is possible, as well as speeds up to 360 degrees per second.

The e-spool is also designed to be more modular and adaptable than conventional systems. In conventional systems, a slip ring or rotary feedthrough is an integral part of the cable reel, and is designed to accommodate a specific number of conductors of a specific size. If the electrical requirements change and additional capacity is required, the entire cable reel must be replaced with one that contains a higher capacity slip ring. With the e-spool, if the electrical requirements change, the cable management system can remain in place and only the cables must be changed. Cables are installed by simply opening the crossbars and laying them into the cable carrier.

The e-spool’s quiet operation makes it well-suited for noise sensitive applications, such as stage installations. In the 41,000-square-foot igus test laboratory, which is the largest of its kind in the industry, the e-spool was intensely tested for its noise emissions during operation. The e-spool was able to reach noise levels below 46dB (A) in the test — incredibly quiet results.

To learn more about the e-spool, check out this white paper or contact igus here.