HELU Group has renamed EKD Systems to HELU Connectivity Solutions Haan GmbH, consolidating its cable drag chain offering under a single brand identity. [S1]
Specifying engineers working on robotics, intralogistics, and machine tool projects now have a unified HELUCHAIN portfolio to evaluate, with plastic, hybrid, and steel options covering short self-supporting runs through long rolling systems. The four named plastic-link series give discrete selection criteria by travel length, load class, and interior separation, which matters for cable bend radius, retrofit modularity, and indoor vs outdoor duty. Procurement also gains a single vendor touchpoint under the renamed subsidiary for custom-engineered chains and on-site commissioning. [S1]
What happened
EKD Systems, a member of the HELU Group since the beginning of 2022, now operates under the name HELU Connectivity Solutions Haan GmbH, and the associated website content has been relocated to the HELU domain. The company frames the move as a rebranding of its connection technology business while keeping the same organizational anchor within the group. The product page in question is a drag chain category landing page that consolidates the renamed subsidiary's portfolio under one navigation path. [S1]
The numbers, names, and product details given
The portfolio is built on almost five decades of experience and spans plastic, hybrid, and steel drag chains. Three chain architectures are listed: self-supporting chains for short travel paths, gliding models, and rolling systems for long distances and heavy dynamic loads, with dedicated trough systems and special glide blocks for wear reduction. Four plastic HELUCHAIN series receive individual callouts: PLASTIC LINK 2-KL (cost-effective cable guide with integrated plastic connectors for light mechanical engineering), PLASTIC LINK 4-PK (tool-free modular chain that can be extended, shortened, widened, elevated, or closed), PLASTIC LINK 4-45 (polygon-optimized design with vertical and horizontal interior separators and lateral stability), and PLASTIC LINK 1-PF (closed plastic conduit for short travel distances, extendable and shortenable). Stated application sectors include machine tooling, material handling and lifting, paper and textile machinery, outdoor crane installations, offshore operations, robotics, automation, intralogistics, packaging, welding systems, and sheet metal processing. [S1]
What it means for the cable drag chain category
For specifying engineers, the page functions as a single entry point for selecting chain material and architecture against travel length and load class rather than mixing multiple vendor catalogues. Plastic chains are positioned for light to medium loads, with stated advantages of quieter operation, lower cost, and easier installation compared with steel, while hybrid and steel cover heavier and more demanding duty. The four named plastic-link series map onto different selection constraints: 1-PF for short, closed runs in machine tools and welding; 2-KL for general light mechanical engineering; 4-PK when tool-free reconfiguration matters; and 4-45 where interior separation and lateral stability are required. The presence of trough systems and special glide blocks indicates the vendor expects to be evaluated on long-travel guidance, not just chain pitch and bending radius. [S1]
How to check the primary source
Open the HELU drag chains product page directly to confirm the current brand wording for HELU Connectivity Solutions Haan GmbH and to download the linked datasheets for HELUCHAIN PLASTIC LINK 2-KL, 4-PK, and 1-PF before locking a part number. Cross-check the travel length, fill weight, and interior separation options against your cable and hose manufacturer's minimum bend radius, and contact the vendor for confirmed lead times on the custom-manufactured complete solutions that are referenced but not priced on the page. [S1]
Primary notice: Industry news.
Product encyclopedia: Cable Drag Chain.