Cable Management Devices
Cable management devices are used to bundle, route, protect, and secure wires throughout the robot. They range from simple zip ties that fasten individual wires to structural members, to specialized products like cable chain that allow wires to survive thousands of cycles of repeated motion. Choosing the right device for a given location depends on whether the wires are stationary or moving, whether they are exposed to abrasion or mechanical contact, and how much flexibility or structure the run requires.
Cable Management Devices
| Name | Use |
|---|---|
| Zip Ties | Securing wires or bundles to the frame, plates, or other structural elements |
| Zip Tie Mounts | Providing an anchor point for a zip tie on flat surfaces where there is no convenient hole or feature to loop through |
| Spiral Wrap | Bundling wires into an organized run where the wires may sag or shift slightly but are not subjected to large or repeated bending |
| Cable Sleeve | Bundling wires with abrasion protection, particularly where wires pass through holes, along sharp edges, or anywhere the insulation could be worn away |
| Cable Conduit | Routing wires along a defined path and protecting them from mechanical contact around joints, gears, belts, or other moving parts |
| Cable Chain | Guiding wires through repeated linear motion on extending and retracting mechanisms such as elevators or linear slides |
Zip Ties
Zip ties are the most common fastening method on the robot. They are used wherever a wire or bundle of wires needs to be secured to the frame, a plate, or another structural element. Zip ties should be pulled snug but not so tight that they cut into the wire insulation. Excess tail length should be trimmed flush after installation.
Zip Tie Mounts
Zip tie mounts are adhesive or screw-in bases that provide an anchor point for a zip tie when there is no convenient hole or feature to loop through. They allow wires to be fastened cleanly to flat surfaces such as belly pans or side plates. The adhesive variant should be applied to a clean, dry surface; the screw-in variant is preferred in high-vibration areas.
Spiral Wrap
Spiral wrap is a flexible plastic coil that bundles multiple wires together into a single, organized run. It allows wires to flex and bend while keeping them from spreading apart. Spiral wrap is a good choice for runs that need to move slightly — for example, wires that sag or shift during operation — but are not subjected to large or repeated bending.
Cable Sleeve
Cable sleeve is a braided or woven covering that slides over a bundle of wires. It provides both bundling and abrasion protection, making it well suited for wires that pass through holes, along sharp edges, or in areas where the insulation could be worn away over time. Cable sleeve is more durable than spiral wrap in high-abrasion environments and collapses tightly around the bundle for a clean appearance.
Cable Conduit
Cable conduit is a rigid or semi-rigid plastic tube used to route wires along a defined path and protect them from mechanical contact. It is commonly used around joints and moving mechanisms to prevent wires from being pinched, abraded, or pulled loose. Conduit can be cut to length and secured with zip ties or clamps. It is especially useful when wires must pass alongside gears, belts, or other moving parts.
Cable Chain
Cable chain (also called drag chain or energy chain) is a linked plastic track designed to guide wires through repeated linear motion. It is used on mechanisms that extend and retract — such as elevators, linear slides, or telescoping arms — where the wires must move back and forth with the mechanism. The chain constrains the bend radius of the wires, preventing fatigue and tangling over many cycles. Wires should have adequate slack at both ends of the chain so they are never pulled taut at the limits of travel.