HELUCHAIN® plastic drag chains — Lightweight, Flexible & Cost-Effective Solution
Plastic cable chains (also known as plastic cable carriers, plastic chain trays, or cable chains) are a popular choice for many factories and automated production lines due to their lightweight design, reasonable cost, and wide range of sizes.
While steel cable chains are the optimal solution for high-temperature environments and heavy industry, the HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC system excellently meets the needs of most modern machine tool, robotics, and manufacturing equipment applications—where quiet operation, high speeds, and simple maintenance are required.
Advantages of plastic cable chains
Our plastic cable chain portfolio
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 1-PF
Technical specification
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 2-KL
Technical specification
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 4-PK
Technical specification
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 4-45
Technical specificationContact our HELU Vietnam engineers to get a quote & expert consultation
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 1-PF
Closed-design plastic cable chain for short travel distances, ideal for space-constrained installations where machine aesthetics matter.
These cable chains are engineered to provide maximum protection for cables against chips, dust, and mechanical impact during operation. In the types PFR 123, 223 and 323 the cables are kept in two separate chambers.
Typical applications: Machine tools, welding machines, sheet metal processing equipment, and a wide range of light-duty automation applications.
Our specialists are ready to advise on complete, pre-assembled cable chain solutions tailored to your requirements.
The HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 1-PF model features HELU’s exclusive metallic finish
PFR with metallic finish is a HELU specialty that mainly occurs in applications with hot chips and sparks. Due to the high surface temperature conductivity and scratch resistance there are no limits for this surface coating. In addition this type has an exceptionally high quality look with the shiny metallic surface. Note: The Metallic version is available only by special order.
Key features:
- Closed-tube design — provides comprehensive cable protection, meeting both technical and aesthetic requirements
- Positive interlocking bars for increased stability at high torque
- Quickly install and remove the crossbar without tools
- Easy on-site length adjustment
- Sealed tube design — provides comprehensive protection for cables against metal shavings and dust
- In the types PFR 123, 223 and 323 the cables are kept in two separate chambers
Technical specifications
| Inner height Hi | 23 to 57 mm |
| Outer height Ha: | 35 to 75 mm |
| Inner width: | 23 to 134 mm |
| Pitch t: | 35–65 mm |
| Bending radius R | 75 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 300 mm, |
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 2-KL
This low-cost plastic drag chain is optimally designed for light industrial applications requiring cost-effective solutions. The built-in plastic connectors completely replace specialized connecting accessories—reducing the number of installation components and shortening installation time.
Typical applications: Industrial robots, handling technology, conveyor systems, textile machinery, paper-making machinery, and many other light industrial applications.
Our team of experts is ready to provide consultation on complete, pre-assembled cable chain solutions tailored to your needs.
Special versions of the HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 2-KL series
HELU offers special material versions tailored to specific application requirements: ELTOLA (Silent Running), ATEX (Ex protection), ESD (Antistatic), and V-0 (Self-extinguishing).
Key features:
- Easy opening mechanism on both sides
- The patented opening offers high rigid torsion behaviour and comfortable handling in one
- Easy access by flap stays
- High torsional rigidity — minimizes twisting during movement
- Smallest dimensions — ideal for limited installation spaces
- Reasonable costs — a cost-effective solution for lightweight applications
- Ready to use without the need for connectors — saving time and installation costs
Technical specifications
| Interior height Hi | 7 to 50 mm |
| Outer height Ha | 10 to 65 mm |
| Inner width | 7 to 195 mm |
| Pitch | 35–65 mm |
| Bending radius R | 15 to 400 mm |
| Travel distance Lv | Up to 100 meters when following our design guidelines |
| Temperature range | Long-term operating temperature range: -20 °C to 100 °C |
HELUCHAIN® Plastic LINK 4-PK
The highest-quality plastic cable carrier chain in the HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC system, developed based on years of practical experience. The PLASTIC LINK 4-PK combines all the advantages of plastic drag chains into a single system—allowing flexible adjustment of length, width, and height without the need for specialized tools.
Typical applications: Industrial robots, handling technology, intralogistics, machine tools, textile machinery, and a wide range of other industrial applications.
Our team of experts is ready to provide consultation on complete, pre-assembled cable chain solutions tailored to your needs.
Special versions of the HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 4-PK series
HELU offers special material versions tailored to specific application requirements: ELTOLA (Silent Running), ALLROUND (All movements), ATEX (Ex protection), ESD (Antistatic), and V-0 (Self-extinguishing).
Key features:
- Adjust the length, width, and height with ease—no special tools required
- Easy to open and close the lid — quick cable installation and replacement right on-site
- Positive interlocking bars for increased stability at high torque
- Quick and easy installation and removal of bars
- Optional multi-band solution for increased stability
- Mounting bar for larger media tubing
- The only combo chain system that combines all the benefits of plastic chains into a single product
Technical specifications
| Inner height Hi | 16 to 80 mm |
| Outer height Ha | 25 to 104 mm |
| Inner width | 30 to 400 mm |
| Pitch | 35 to 115 mm |
| Bending radius R | 40 to 500 mm |
| Travel distance Lv | Up to 100 meters when following our design guidelines |
| Temperature range | Long-term operating temperature range: -20 °C to 100 °C |
HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 4-45
HELU’s latest generation of plastic cable chain—developed to meet the demands of applications requiring large widths and high lateral stability. With a fixed innẻ height of 45 mm and an inner width of up to 400 mm, the PLASTIC LINK 4-45 is the ideal solution for systems with a large number of cables or large-diameter conduits.
With its robust construction, flexible modular design, and high adaptability, the latest HELUCHAIN® PLASTIC LINK 4-45 cable chain is the ideal choice for many industrial applications requiring durability, ease of installation, and a high level of safety. The product offers flexible solutions for a wide range of industries, including traditional machinery manufacturing, internal logistics systems, material handling, packaging, the automotive industry, and indoor crane systems.
Key features:
- Ability to divide the interior space into modules
- Unique design on the market
- Bars are quick and easy to open for easy installation
- Quiet operation thanks to optimised stop system
- Increased lifespan of the filling thanks to smooth contour of chain and inner separations
Unraveling the breakthrough design of the HELUCHAIN PLASTIC LINK 4-45 cable chain
Technical specifications
| Inner height Hi | 45 mm |
| Outer height Ha | 64 mm |
| Inner width | 50 to 400 mm |
| Pitch | 65 mm |
| Bending radius R | 75 mm, 95 mm, 115 mm, 140 mm, 175 mm, 200 mm, 240 mm, 300 mm, 340 mm |
| Travel distance Lv | Up to 200 m when following our design guidelines |
| Temperature range | -20 °C to 90 °C |
Cables and accessories for plastic drag chains
FAQs about plastic cable chains
Plastic cable chains are systems designed to protect and guide electrical cables, as well as air and oil hoses, in machinery with continuously moving parts. These chains prevent cables from becoming tangled, overstretched, or worn during operation, ensuring the longevity of the cable system and the safety of the machinery.
These are two different names for the same type of product. This product is also known as a plastic cable chain, plastic cable carrier, plastic cable guide, cable chain, drag chain, or cable carrier—depending on the industry and region. All of these terms refer to a chain system designed to protect and guide cables in moving machinery.
Plastic chains are suitable for most automation applications due to their light weight, corrosion resistance, quiet operation, and low cost. Steel chains are the preferred choice in environments with temperatures exceeding 100 °C, sparks, hot chips, or extremely high mechanical loads, such as in steelmaking and metallurgy.
Learn about the differences between plastic chains and steel chains
Most HELU plastic cable chains can operate at temperatures up to +100 °C. If the ambient temperature is higher, we recommend using HELUCHAIN® STEEL LINK steel chains.
The dimensions of plastic chains are typically denoted as Hi × Bi, where:
- Hi (Inner Height) — the inner height in millimeters, which determines the maximum cable diameter that can be inserted
- Bi (Inner Width) — the inner width in millimeters, which determines the total number of cables that can be laid horizontally
For example, an 18×25 plastic chain has an inside height of 18 mm and an inside width of 25 mm. The outside dimensions (Ha, Ba) will be larger due to the chain’s side walls.
The following needs to be determined:
(1) the diameter and number of cables to be threaded,
(2) distance traveled and speed,
(3) Permissible bending radius
...
The HELU Vietnam technical team is ready to assist with calculations and help you select the correct size.
Yes. HELU offers pre-assembled energy chains in the exact dimensions, lengths, and compartment configurations you need—ready for immediate installation.
Cables specifically designed for continuous motion applications should be used. HELU offers specialized cable lines:
- HELUCHAIN® MULTISPEED control cable: a control cable capable of withstanding millions of bending cycles
- Ethernet cables and HELUCHAIN bus cables specifically designed for cable chains
- Encoder, bus, and servo cables specifically designed for high-speed systems
You should not use standard cables, as they will wear out quickly due to repeated bending.
View the catalog of cables designed specifically for plastic cable chains here
