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Hygienic cables and detectable energy chains ensure food safety

15 April, 2013

igus has launched a pair of products – anti-microbial cables and plastic energy chains containing easy-to-detect metal particles – designed to help food manufacturers to produce food that is safe for consumption.

The hygienic versions of igus’ chainflex cables (above) prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses and mould. Unlike cables that are given anti-bacterial coatings that can wear off over time – especially when used in energy chain applications – the new “blue” CFSpecial 544 cables contain additives dispersed throughout the jacket material. This ensures that the anti-bacterial properties are maintained for a long time and are not affected by the jacket wearing. The material, which has passed international tests for anti-microbial activity in line with ISO 22196 and JIS Z 2801, can be applied to a variety of cables.

The second development is a range of polymer energy chains (above) with metallic particles dispersed throughout the plastic material. This ensures that if a tiny part of the chain breaks off, it can be spotted by end-of-line magnetic detectors. Igus says that particles of the plastic material as small as 1mm across can be detected at speeds of 20m/min by standard metal detection systems.

In the event of a machine failure, this ensures that no part of the energy chain will enter and contaminate the food. The detectable igumid DT material is available for igus’ E2/000 and E4.1 series energy chains.




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