Drag chains are used in mechanical engineering applications to guide and protect the flexible cables, pneumatic lines and hydraulic hoses that supply power and data to moving machine parts. Without this kind of guidance, which ensures cables don’t overstep their permissible bending radii, the rough and tumble of long-term use would quickly destroy these vital lifelines of machinery. However, despite this solid protection, there is still a limit to the amount of cables and lines that can and should be installed to control increasingly complex machine components. Stuttgart-based Lapp Group, one of the leading suppliers of integrated solutions and branded products for cabling and connection technology, is at HANNOVER MESSE 2018 to showcase several innovative connection solutions for drag chains from the ÖLFLEX series.

For instance, ÖLFLEX CHAIN 819 P and the shielded model ÖLFLEX CHAIN 819 CP are highly flexible control cables with a robust, highly oil-resistant sheath that are designed for up to five million alternating bending cycles. Their strength and flame resistance can be attributed to the innovative, UL-certified Lapp PU special mix. The same material has also helped to lower the cost of the new drag chain cables, while the abrasion-resistant sheath material can even help extend maintenance intervals.

What's more, Lapp is also extending its already extensive range of PROFINET-compliant cables in time for HANNOVER MESSE 2018 with the highly flexible ÖLFLEX CHAIN PN cable. The new addition is particularly suitable for users in the automobile and automotive supplier industries that are designing their plants according to the PROFINET standard and therefore want to use PROFINET-compliant components.