Gore expands capacity for clean cables

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) has now doubled its manufacturing capacity for flat cables to keep pace with customer demand for cables capable of reducing particles and outgassing in semiconductor manufacturing steps such as lithography, ion implantation, and inspection. The additional capacity includes the ability to make flat cables up to 300 mm wide so multiple cables can be replaced with a single, self-supporting cable perfect for stroke lengths of 500 mm or less.

Gore designs high-flex cables that survive the extreme conditions found in cleanroom environments. The cables can be used in ISO Class 3 (FED-STD-209E Class 1) environments. According to the company, the key to its high flex and low particulation performance is its ePTFE composite jacket. This material has a low coefficient of friction and high tear resistance. It is also very flexible and enables flat cables to be stacked on top of each other and slide smoothly without generating particles. Alternative flat cable options use extruded jackets, such as silicone and polyurethane, which create particles as they wear because their coefficient of friction is much greater than the ePTFE composite jacket.

Gore offers several high-flex, clean (low particulation and outgassing) cable solutions including GORETM High Flex Flat Cable, GORETM Trackless Cable, and GORETM High Flex Round Cable. High Flex Flat Cable provides excellent cable management because it does not require cable dividers within the cable track, says Gore. This reduces particulation and results in extended cable life. Trackless Cable eliminates the need for cable track and many of the problems associated with cable track, such as particulation, vibration, size, weight, and noise. Additionally, a low particulation jacket is available for High Flex Round Cable.

These cables are available on Gore's online design tool, where design engineers can choose from standard cable cores and components to design high-flex cables and/or assemblies. The High Flex Cable Configurator can be accessed at www.gore.com/designacable. The company's online cable offerings include all of the components necessary to drive and control a motion system including shielded/unshielded power and signal, video, Ethernet, IEEE 1394, fiber-optic, and pneumatic lines.

About W. L. Gore & Associates
Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics, and medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, DE; posts sales of almost $2.5 billion; and employs more than 8,000 associates at 45 facilities throughout the world.