Pneumatic hoses for energy chains

Safe transmission of pneumatic forces: The igus® compressed air hose

Pneumatics is the transmission of forces by means of gas pressure. It is closely related to hydraulics, the transmission of forces via liquids. However, it has one decisive difference: gases can be compressed up to a certain point, whereas liquids cannot. This has advantages, but also considerable disadvantages. The compressibility of gases leads to high power losses. Nevertheless, pneumatics is a very popular form of energy in general industry. It is easy to handle, very fast in action and, above all, very safe: hydraulic fluid cannot escape and there are no power cables. Damage is detected quickly and can be repaired easily. The reliability of pneumatic systems depends largely on the cables used. Here, igus® can offer you tested quality that guarantees the reliability and operational readiness of your pneumatic applications.

What does a pneumatic hose have to do?

A pneumatic hose is a highly stressed component on whose reliability the operation of a system depends. It must therefore fulfil a number of conditions. The main points are

• Tight sealing
• Resistance to high temperatures, aggressive media and vibrations
• Flexibility in the bending direction
• Stiffness across the media guide

The last point is often given too little consideration by many pneumatic hose manufacturers. In many pneumatic applications, the cross elongation of a compressed air hose results in high power losses. After all, the force of the gas pressure should reach the actuator and not blow up the cable along the route. With a compressed air hose from igus®, you have all the advantages on your side:

• Resistance to oils and coolants
• Flexibility in the bending direction
• Tested tightness over any length
• Bend radius under dynamic load: 10 x diameter
• Abrasion-resistant
• Sufficient wall thickness for optimum transverse rigidity
• Optionally made of polyutherane or polyethylene
• Pressure resistance 10 bar (PE) or 12 bar (PU)

PE or PU compressed air hose?

The difference between a PE or PU compressed air hose lies primarily in its abrasion resistance. The pneumatic hose made of polyutherane is slightly superior to the polyethylene product in this respect. On the other hand, the PU hose has a two bar higher compressive strength. With this selection, igus® provides you with exactly the right pneumatic hose for your application.

Application examples for the igus® pneumatic hose

The pneumatic hose from igus® is used wherever cables are exposed to dynamic loads. This makes the pneumatic hose ideal for installation in energy chains or other solutions for the dynamic connection of actuators. Typical examples are

• Pick and place modules
• Turning stations
• Light processing (cutting or bending thin-walled material)
• Front derailleur and slider
• Opening and closing of protective devices
• General power transmission in critical areas

We supply your pneumatic cable from order size 1. Order a sample today and convince yourself of the igus(R) quality for your applications.

We also offer you our special service for igus® pneumatic cables: With igus® readychain®, you have a pre-assembled module that is ready for installation. This service saves you installation time and provides you with a tested guarantee that your system is ready for operation. We are also happy to help you install our readychain® modules on site. Give us a call and we will find the optimum solution for your challenge.