Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Cable Carriers Go on Cruise Control

By Laura Carrabine | November 4, 2010

Traditional heavy-duty cable and hose carriers frequently move long distances at high speed. However, due to the weight of the carrier, cables, and water-filled hoses, the components can sag as the carrier doubles back on itself during travel. This problem can cause wear and create objectionable noise that interferes with the host machine’s manufacturing process.

Fortunately, the GORTRAC Div. of A&A Manufacturing solved this problem with a Nylatrac carrier design called the Marathon Long Travel System. It handles the machine’s lengthy travel and fast speed without sag or excessive noise. The machine was designed and manufactured by Matec Instrument Companies, Inc., that builds controlled ultrasonic C-Scan imaging gentry-scanners.

Matec-ultrasonic-testing-machine
Twin gantry towers on this Matec ultrasonic testing machine travel along 50-ft ways to inspect helicopter blades. Gortite accordion-type covers protect
the ways.


A helicopter blade inspection system is one such scanner that uses two ultrasonic testing (UT) heads, each mounted on a gantry tower that travels along 50-ft ways. The blade mounts on a fixture between them, and a dual gimbaled array of UT heads follow the profile of the blade’s pitch accurately as the gantry travels its length.

The multiple cables that provide power, control, and relay inspection data must be managed reliably, as well as a ¾-in. hose that supplies the water to the UT heads. A cable and hose carrier keeps the various lines separated and provides a gentle rolling motion that minimizes cable fatigue and wear. The gantry tower travels at speeds of up to 30-in./s, which makes the task of moving the cables smoothly and efficiently more difficult.
Unlike traditional systems where the carrier glides upon itself, the Marathon uses a retractable roller system that rides on a simple rail system. The carrier uses a polygonal design, in which the rollers rise form the guide rail and move inward as the links pass through the radius. On the return travel, the roller sets move back out and travel on the rail, providing rolling support through the complete travel distance.

Nylatrac-cable-carrier
Nylatrac cable carrier provides gentle rolling motion to protect cables as gantry towers travel along the ways.

Installation of the cables and hose in the carrier is claimed to be easy. Unlike many carrier designs in which the cables must be pulled from one end to the other, the sections of the Nylatrac carrier open so the cables are easy to place inside. From a repair or maintenance standpoint, only damaged sections need to be replaced.

An additional benefit of the Marathon design is a reduction of tow force – as much as 90% — that can contribute to increased machine efficiency. The carrier links have no gliding friction. To protect the 50-ft long ways on both sides of the machine, A&A Manufacturing also provided four heat-seated Gortite way protectors. The covers incorporate external tie strips to ensure that the convolutions open evenly and internal stiffeners spaced throughout the length to maintain its shape.

:Update June 11, 2018 A&A MFG  name to Dynatect:

Dynatect

::Design World::

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Factory automation, Cables + cable management, LINEAR MOTION, MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION, Motion control • motor controls

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more