What are the best cables for robotics?

Robotics is one sector that has experienced a vast expansion in the past couple of years. Advances in technology, plus the demands of a global pandemic, have accelerated the use of robots in many areas. Automated workflows are becoming standard, with the desire for less human input, and increasing demands on efficiency and smooth working pointing to an increased use of robotics as the obvious choice. Like any electronics, robotics require cables – but which are the best options where this advanced tech is concerned?

What kind of cables are used in robotic applications?

There are many different cable demands in the context of robotics. For example, data cables, control cables, motor cables, fibre optic cables, bus cables and hybrid cables – these are just some of the many types of cables that tend to be required. Cables that are designed for use in robotics need to be able to cope with some very specific challenges, including:

• • The ability to withstand mechanical stress that occurs not just in one direction (as with other cable applications) but in multiple directions. Robots’ rotational movements occur on multiple axes, which means that cables must be incredibly flexible no matter which way they are stressed.
  • Extreme stress and pressure resistance. Another big challenge is the extreme stress and pressure that the rotational movements of robots can put on the cables that are used in this technology. Constant torsional movements occur and it’s vital that robotic cables are able to withstand this.
  • Resistance and continuity. Cables that are used in robotics but which haven’t been specifically designed for the unique pressures of this kind of environment can end up being affected by abrasion or kinking and may even break. This can result in a failure that brings an entire production line to a standstill and creates a lot of expensive downtime. So, it’s vital that robotics cables are up to the challenges of resistance and continuity.

What are the best cables for robotics?

Given the extreme stress and pressure that cables used in robotics applications tend to be under, it’s vital that they meet certain standards. The best cables for robotics are:

• Designed to withstand higher stresses than most other cables – they will have torsion-optimised shield structures to achieve this.
• Created to be long-lasting – robotic cables will need to support equipment through millions of cycles, which is why they must be designed to last.
• High flexibility – both in terms of the cables themselves and also the materials that are being used to protect the cables.
• Protected by effective cable carriers – there are a number of different ways to do this and the cable carrier selected will impact how long-lasting the cable can be. Corrugated hose, for example, tends to be the cheapest and least reliable solution while specifically designed robotic cable carriers – which factor in high tensile force absorption etc – tend to be the best.

The best cables for robotics are those that have been designed for the unique pressures of the environment and suitably protected too. The robotics industry has become one of the most dynamic areas of development, find out more on the work we do in the robotics industry.