igus sets a new standard with the first online tool for the automatic design of Clean Cables

New e-skin flat configurator allows for quick design of certified cleanroom cable guide systems, including technical drawing and STEP file

Cleanrooms for the production of microchips and semiconductors are characterised across the globe by the absence of particles and limited space. To safely guide cables under these conditions, igus has developed the e-skin flat. The new e-skin flat configurator now allows for the fast and automated design of flat cable guide systems in cleanrooms. This reduces the previously manual effort to just a few minutes. Users can configure a complete system, have it filled automatically and then immediately download a technical drawing and parts list. With the e-skin flat, which is suitable for dry cleanrooms, igus has now also received the "Best of Industry Award 2025" in the category battery development and production.

The design of a cable guide system for cleanrooms, also referred to as Clean Cable, is complex: it is necessary to take numerous requirements into account, select suitable cables and create technical drawings. This process requires expert knowledge and has so far involved a lot of time and manual effort. This is exactly where igus comes into play with the new e-skin flat configurator. Users can design a flat cable guide system that is suitable for their cleanroom in just a few minutes. "The online tool is the first of its kind for configuring cable guide systems for cleanrooms. It leads users step by step through the design of their system, checks the feasibility and immediately provides all relevant data," explains Kira Weller, Product Manager e-chains and cleanroom expert at igus. "This ensures planning security without waiting times or time-consuming coordination." The e-skin flat provides users with a clean, flat and abrasion-resistant complete system made of high-performance plastic. Thanks to easy-to-open chamber systems, cables and hoses can be quickly inserted and replaced during maintenance. As it complies with EN ISO Class 1 according to DIN 14644-1, the Clean Cable also has the highest cleanroom classification.

Automatic filling for optimum results

How to configure the e-skin flat with the online tool: in the first step, the user enters the required application parameters such as speed, acceleration and travel. In addition, environmental parameters, limited installation space or an offset centre-fixed system can also be specified. In the next step, the user selects the cable. The tool offers access to the large chainflex cable pool from igus as well as readycables already harnessed with connectors, prioritising suitable cables for the e-skin flat system. Users can also add their own cables. This is followed by automatic filling. An algorithm integrated into the online tool uses the product data stored in the system and the specified customer parameters and recommends the best possible solution for the application based on previously defined rules. The tool also signals if a configuration cannot be realised. Manual adjustments can be made at any time in the configurator.

From configuration to quotation request in just a few clicks

All relevant data is immediately available for download on the results page - from technical drawing to parts list to installation instructions. Customers can also download an additional STEP file. If the user is satisfied with the design, he/she can request a corresponding quotation and the igus experts carry out a final check of the configured system. "We wanted to make the configuration process for cleanroom cable guide systems as simple as possible," says Weller. "With the new e-skin flat configurator, we are providing our customers with a complete package that allows them to continue design work immediately. Thanks to intelligent automation, we are able to significantly reduce the manual workload for both our customers and ourselves and maximise planning reliability." e-skin flat has now also received the annual "Best of Industry Award 2025" from the trade magazine MM MaschinenMarkt in the category battery development and production. "We are delighted to receive this award, which is also an incentive for us to continue our development in this area," emphasises Weller.