smoke halogen-free insulating materials with fire- retardant properties.
In space-restricted areas, flat flexible cables (FFC) designed to connect PCB or devices including actuators are a good solution to save space. They are usually insulated with polyester or with polyimide for a higher temperature resistance. For repeated movements of the robot, high flexibility of the FFC can be achieved with very thin conductors and very thin insulating material. Axon’ cable assembly made with a Flexorad high flex life RF cable terminated with round connectors. The high flexibility of the cable enables the arms of the rescue robots to move easily. The cable shown here is also radiation resistant.
WHEN THE ACCESS IS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE When everything has been done to protect the safety of personnel and optimize the lifespan of equipment and this is still not enough, the last resort is to send in robots as an extension of the human arm. These robots, which handle or maintain the electronic systems, are subjected to the same harsh environment, with the added challenge of needing good flexibility to allow for their movements. In this case, interconnects, including cables and cable assemblies, have to provide flexibility and ruggedization against the environmental challenges to provide sufficient longevity and reliability. In most robotic applications miniaturization and weight-saving properties are also a priority. Axon’ low smoke and halogen-free composite cable with fire-retardant properties is used in submarines. Its high flexibility allows for easy installation. The low-smoke, halogen-free, and fire-retardant properties of the cable protect the crew.
Flexlife test of Flat Flexible Cables designed by Axon’ Cable. Extra flexible versions with 25 µm thick conductor and very thin polyester can reach 70,000,000 cycles (flexlife) with a 10 mm bend radius. This is an ideal solution for dynamic applications including robotics.
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