German engineering group igus has expanded its readycable line with a set of pre-assembled power and data cables designed for use with Keyence vision systems, as demand grows for components that can withstand continuous movement on production lines.
The Cologne-based company, which produces more than 10 million metres of chainflex cables each year, said the new additions are aimed at manufacturers struggling with cable failures in high-speed, camera-based quality-control processes. Such failures can cause costly downtime, particularly in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, where cameras are mounted on moving axes to inspect weld seams and other critical features in real time.
According to John Barker, Product Manager for Readychain and Readycable at igus, cables are often the first element to fail when exposed to constant motion, tight bending radii, or harsh factory environments. Designers, he said, frequently resort to trial-and-error substitutions from different suppliers, a process that introduces delays and increases the risk of incompatible or poorly assembled connections.
Barker said igus aims to eliminate this bottleneck by supplying cables that are both mechanically robust and delivered with the correct Keyence connectors already fitted. “With our readycable portfolio, we offer tough cables especially for continuous movements, which we supply ready and tested with the right plug connection,” he said.
The company is also promoting its paired service, Readychain, which provides fully-assembled energy chain systems incorporating the new cables. igus argues that sourcing both from a single supplier reduces integration risks, shortens delivery times, and improves overall system reliability.
All cables undergo full electrical testing and mechanical endurance checks in the company’s laboratory. Test data feed into an online service-life calculator that estimates cable durability based on application parameters such as stroke length and operating speed. igus offers a four-year warranty on cables specified using this tool, claiming it is unique in the market.
The new Keyence-compatible assemblies are cut to length and delivered as plug-and-play components for immediate installation in existing camera systems.
