Igus has presented an energy supply solution for cleanrooms, intended for applications requiring simultaneous transmission of energy and data with limited particle emissions. The system is based on the C6 cable carrier for cleanrooms, which in combination with the new upper e-spin guiding system is designed to enable operation over travel distances of up to 30 metres. According to the company, the solution achieved ISO Class 1 in certification conducted by the Fraunhofer IPA Institute. Such systems are intended for environments where process cleanliness and operational reliability are critical, including the production of microelectronics, semiconductors and batteries. As the level of automation increases and transport systems continue to develop, the requirements for energy supply systems are also growing, as they must operate over increasingly longer distances while maintaining compatibility with cleanroom conditions.
In modern semiconductor manufacturing plants, silicon wafers pass through many technological stages, from lithography and etching to metallisation. Due to strict cleanliness requirements and limits on particle presence, manual transport in such conditions is not possible, which is why automated systems for moving wafer cassettes are playing an increasingly important role. One example is overhead hoist transport, OHT, a rail-based system that moves cassettes under the ceiling. This solution saves space in the production area, but at the same time creates requirements related to supplying power and transmitting data to moving systems. As the manufacturer points out, busbar systems do not allow data transmission, while standard cable carriers usually require the use of complex microparticle extraction systems.
Rolling instead of sliding
To address these requirements, igus developed a special guiding system called e-spin for the C6 cable carrier. The solution consists of guide rollers made, like the company's other carriers, from tribologically optimised high-performance plastic designed to reduce friction and wear. The rollers are positioned between the upper and lower runs of the cable carrier. In practice, this means that the carrier elements roll on each other instead of sliding, which is intended to reduce particle emissions without the need for an additional extraction unit.
Rafał Wach, e-chain product manager and cleanroom expert at igus, explains: "Busbar systems do not transmit data and require extensive maintenance work. Cable carriers usually require complex particle extraction equipment. Demand in the industry is therefore high for a cleanroom-compatible, durable and cost-effective alternative."
As the company representative adds: "Thanks to the e-spin system, cable carriers can be used in cleanroom production without the need for an extraction unit. This allows design engineers to reduce the complexity of energy supply in transport systems and save costs in the process."
System parameters and application
According to igus, the combination of the C6 cable carrier with guide rollers is intended to provide abrasion resistance, ease of maintenance and high operational durability. The company states that laboratory tests carried out in cooperation with Fraunhofer IPA confirmed achievement of the highest ISO Class 1 cleanliness rating at a speed of 0.5 m/s. The manufacturer also indicates that the solution can simplify the configuration of energy supply systems in transport applications used in cleanrooms. The company's materials also state that users can use the online e-chain expert tool to configure the e-chain system.
