01,21,2026 16 views
Bridge plastic drag chain is the core component in automation equipment that connects the fixed end and the moving end, protects cables and air pipes. Its "bridge" structure design not only adapts to the multi-directional movement needs of the equipment, but also efficiently utilizes internal space to avoid cable entanglement or wear. A deep understanding of its multi-directional motion implementation mechanism and internal space utilization logic is the key to ensuring the stability of equipment motion and the service life of cables.
From the principle of multi-directional motion implementation, the core of the bridge type plastic drag chain lies in the modular link hinge structure and guiding limit design. The drag chain is composed of several independent chain links connected in series through a pin shaft, and each chain link is designed with arc-shaped hinge surfaces at both ends. After the pin shaft passes through the hinge hole, the chain link can rotate around the pin shaft at a certain angle - the horizontal direction can be offset left and right, and the vertical direction can be bent up and down, thus adapting to the reciprocating, rotating or compound trajectory motion of the equipment's moving end. To avoid structural damage caused by excessive movement, there is also a "limit protrusion" at the joint of the chain link. When the rotation angle reaches the maximum travel required by the equipment (such as the bending radius adapting to the equipment's motion trajectory), the protrusions interfere with each other, limiting further rotation, ensuring both flexibility of movement and preventing the drag chain from breaking due to excessive bending. In addition, some drag chains will also be equipped with "guide sliders" or "guide slots" at the bottom. The sliders are embedded in the guide slots and move with the drag chain to avoid lateral displacement during high-speed operation, further improving the stability of multi-directional motion.
In terms of internal space utilization, bridge plastic drag chains achieve a balance between space utilization and wiring convenience through layered separation design and open structure optimization. Its "bridge like" feature is reflected in the detachable arch structure of the upper and lower cover plates, which exposes the internal space after opening the cover plates, facilitating the quick layout and maintenance of cables or air pipes. At the same time, modular partitions or separators can be installed inside the drag chain according to the needs, dividing the internal space into multiple independent areas - for example, placing power lines, signal lines, and air pipes in different areas to avoid signal interference between cables and prevent wear caused by friction between cables during movement. In addition, the height and width design of the internal space will be adapted to the diameter and quantity of common cables. The inner wall of the chain link is usually smoothed to reduce the frictional resistance between the cable and the drag chain inner wall, which not only improves space utilization but also reduces cable loss.
It is worth noting that the implementation of multi-directional motion and the utilization of internal space need to be coordinated and adapted - for example, when designing a bendable chain link structure, sufficient internal space needs to be reserved to avoid the compression of internal cables during bending; When dividing internal areas, it is also necessary to consider the stretching allowance of cables during the movement process to prevent cable breakage due to tight space. This collaborative design enables bridge plastic drag chains to meet the complex multi-directional motion requirements of CNC machine tools, robotic arms, and other equipment, while efficiently protecting internal cables, making them an essential auxiliary component in automation equipment.
