Unlocking 600° of Freedom: The New Unsupported twisterchain for Industrial Robots

By Shizu Yamaguchi

In the rapidly evolving world of North American manufacturing, engineers are constantly pushing the limits of automation. However, compact industrial articulated arm robots have long presented significant challenges regarding their energy supply. Many designers are forced to compromise on reliability because the right tools for the job simply haven’t existed.

The Engineering Challenge: Common Pain Points

For many engineers, three primary pain points often drive the search for a superior cable management system:

1. Confined Workspaces: Compact robots often lack the necessary space at their base for traditional, bulky rotary modules.
2. Lack of Market Solutions: There have historically been few, if any, “off-the-shelf” rotary modules capable of handling the fast rotational movements of compact robot axes.
3. Unreliable Improvised Solutions: Because suitable modules were missing, engineers often resorted to makeshift solutions, such as hanging hoses that drag across the floor, leading to rapid wear and unpredictable downtime.

A New Solution for Modern Robotics

To bridge this gap, igus has launched the unsupported twisterchain, a product specifically designed to eliminate these compromises. This new rotary module is engineered to handle the intense rotational demands of a robot’s first axis as well as the complex needs of the fifth axis on palletizing robots.

The unsupported twisterchain solves a wide variety of engineering hurdles simultaneously:

• Eliminates Collision Risks: The module is positioned in a “sag” around the robot base, allowing for 360° (and up to 600°) rotation without colliding with the robot’s connector plates.
• Superior Cable Protection: Unlike uncontrollable corrugated hoses, the twisterchain provides a defined, controlled movement on two levels, ensuring cables never collide with the robot arm or end-of-arm tool.
• Reduced Design Effort: Because the system is self-supporting, it removes the need for expensive, heavy guide troughs and complicated alignments.
• Versatile Assembly: It can be installed on the floor, on a raised plinth, or even directly on the end-of-arm tooling depending on the specific application.
• Enhanced Reliability: By replacing improvised solutions with a dedicated rotary module, the overall service life and repeatability of the robot are significantly increased.

Main Features and Benefits

The unsupported twisterchain is not just an incremental update; it is a technical and economic advancement for robotic energy supply. Key benefits include:

• Maximum Movement: It supports rotation angles of over 600°, providing incredible flexibility for applications with extended motion requirements.
• Self-Supporting Design: Its high inherent rigidity allows for a clean, space-saving installation without additional guide plates.
• Quick and Intuitive Assembly: The system requires only two connection points on the robot, making it easy to install or retrofit.
• Service-Friendly Access: The energy chain can be opened from the inner radius, allowing users to insert or replace cables from the outside without tedious threading.
• Adjustable Fine-Tuning: The system features adjustable pretension, allowing it to be precisely adapted to specific cable weights and rotational profiles for maximum stability.
• Sustainability: Like other igus e-chains, it can be recycled at the end of its life cycle through the igus Chainge recycling program.

Get Started with Your Application

Whether you are designing a new robotic cell or seeking to improve the reliability of an existing palletizing line, the unsupported twisterchain offers a cost-effective, high-performance solution.

We invite you to get in touch with our team of experts to discuss your specific application or answer any further questions you may have. We are reachable by phone at 1-800-965-2496, by live chat at www.igus.ca. You can also fill in a contact form on our website with your details, and a specialist will reach out to you directly.

References

Editorial Team, ER. “Maximum freedom of movement for industrial robots: self-supporting twisterchain with a rotation angle of 600°.” Engineering Review, Divya Media Publications Pvt. Ltd., 2 July 2026, https://www.engmag.in/maximum-freedom-of-movement-for-industrial-robots-self-supporting-twisterchain-with-a-rotation-angle-of-600/.

“Unsupported twisterchain®.” igus Canada, igus, 2026, https://www.igus.ca/energy-chain/robot-cable-management/products/unsupported-twisterchain.

“igus Launches Self-Supporting twisterchain for 600° Rotation and Maximum Robot Flexibility.” PRLog, igus Singapore Pte Ltd, 16 July 2026, https://www.prlog.org/13158909-igus-launches-self-supporting-twisterchain-for-600-rotation-and-maximum-robot-flexibility.html.