Extended REIKU Jointed Tubing System
Can Now be Used Even More Universally
and Conveniently
REIKU has extended its proven jointed tubing cable protection
system for robotics and automation. This means that this efficient
alternative to corrugated conduits and energy chains is now available
in nominal widths of 48 and 76, whereby the NW 48 joints can be
also designed separably to improve accessibility. New accessories
available for both sizes such as end-pieces and adapters as well as
fixing elements make the use of the jointed tubing system even more
reliable, flexible and convenient.
The jointed tubings from REIKU, which are
produced from low-friction, highly impact-
resistant, oil and grease-resistant polyamide,
combine high life expectancy and mobility with
outstanding protection against mechanical
loads and other rough environmental
influences in industrial production. They are
built up in a “caterpillar-like” form from
individual joint elements clipped together.
Freely rotating against each other, they reliably
exclude the possibility of torsional moments
in the cable protection. Furthermore, the
bending radii of the jointed tubing are limited
to a minimum level dependent on the nominal
width. Unlike conventional cable ducts, the
wear-intensive bending of the cables is thus
avoided. Because the closed construction –
without any additional stiffening or struts
inside – produces stable statics, the entire
inside diameter of the tubing is freely available
without restriction to accommodate cable
strands or hose lines.
Depending on the overall length of the individual
links, the manufacturer is able, to a large extent,
to produce lengths individually adapted to the
customer’s requirements. For example, a 1,000 mm
jointed tubing consists of 26 main joints of size 48
or 16 main joints of NW 76, whereby connection
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TUBE NEWS March 2018
pieces mounted on both sides form the respective
end-piece. The smallest possible dynamic bending
radii here are 109 mm and 200 mm respectively. The
optional separable design of the main joints of the
NW 48 allows the jointed tubing to be opened in the
assembled state, for example for replacing cables,
subsequent assembly work or regular checks on the
cables and lines.
Among the many accessories available for both
sizes are, for example, adapters that ensure an
unproblematic changeover from the corrugated
conduit to jointed tubing. With special protectors,
corrugated tubing can be quickly and reliably
extended at places subjected to a higher load with
the aid of a jointed tubing. Easily mounted gripping
clamps with support jaws offer a flexible possibility
for fixing the jointed tubing. Separable joints allow
the application-specific extension of tubing systems,
also in combination with closed joints. Furthermore,
separable connectors that can be combined with
different end-pieces serve to connect jointed tubing
quickly and easily with housings. Special joint
connections for robots allow stable, tear-resistant,
impact-resistant assembly in the gripping clamp,
and can, for example, be combined with a cable
star as strain relief. For applications subjected to
particularly high mechanical stresses, REIKU has
also developed a metal connection fitting with strain
relief.