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New test standard for cables in motion control applications guarantees reliability in maritime applications.

In order to employ cables for motion control applications on ships and offshore applications without extensive and high-cost custom certifications, igus GmbH and the German Lloyd classification company have jointly developed a new test standard, and have now certified a total of 328 chainflex cables from igus with a type rating for e-chain cables in continuous motion. These cables are therefore the world's first to receive this certificate specifically for applications in energy chains.

Due to the pronounced increase in the level of automation on ships and offshore applications in recent years, this industry has also experienced a growth in demand for energy chains. In order to supply reliable and suitable products for these specialised applications, igus GmbH (Cologne) has developed a new test procedure together with the German Lloyd classification company, and has had its chainflex cables certified. A lengthy, three year certification period with a wide range of investigated aspects, combined with the specialised expertise from both companies has now resulted in the first certification of cables for use on ships and offshore applications.

Development of new test procedures needed
Typically, classification companies, such as the German Lloyd, issue certificates based on international standards. In many cases, these refer to special characteristics in regards to combustion properties and other characteristics, specifically for the materials. However, for the most part, these materials have no or only limited suitability for continuous motion applications, while the general design standards for cables typically prove to be completely unsuited for continuously moving materials. Since there are no uniform international test procedures for motion control cables in energy chains, new solutions needed to be found. The know-how contributed by igus GmbH, which has been studying the topic of dynamic cables in energy chains for more than 20 years and operates the world's largest lab for continuously moving cables at 1.750 sqm, has in this case, contributed toward developing a test procedure to guarantee the reliability of chainflex cables on ships and in offshore applications. In this instance, the two partners employed the internal igus standards as a basis for guaranteeing the service life of cables in motion control applications. This was supplemented by the typical production sample tests prescribed by the German Lloyd classification company, which are based on internationals standards and tests.

Customers now have the option of buying their control, bus, measurement, data, and power cables specifically for dynamic applications from stock that additionally comply with certification requirements of the commercial shipping regulatory agencies. igus has therefore further extended its lead in industry as a manufacturer of e-chain cables with the most approvals and certifications.

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