55mm Series CNC Drag Chain - Bridge Open Type

55mm Series Overview

The 55mm series CNC drag chain (bridge open type) is molded from 30% glass-fiber reinforced PA66 nylon for heavy-duty CNC and automation applications requiring maximum cable capacity and long travel capability. With 55mm inner height, this series accommodates cables up to 50mm outer diameter — making it one of the largest standard series in our lineup . Available internal widths range from 50mm to 300mm, accommodating 20-25+ cables or hoses in a single chain . Also referred to as 55mm cable carrier, 55series plastic cable chain, or 55mm cable track.

When to Choose the 55mm Series

The 55mm series is the right choice when your 45mm series drag chain is too narrow for your cable bundle, and you need a significantly larger cross-section for multiple heavy power cables, thick hydraulic hoses, or fiber optic lines running together. This series is ideally suited for very large cable bundles — typically 20 to 25 or more standard cables or hoses, depending on the width you select. It works best on heavy-duty CNC equipment such as large gantry machining centers, heavy-duty lathes, large-format laser and plasma cutting systems, and long-travel automation systems where cable loads are substantial and routing spaces are generous. The bridge type design provides fast heat dissipation and easy cable access, even with large bundles. The 55mm series also handles longer travel distances than smaller series, with unsupported spans exceeding those of the 45mm series , making it suitable for machines with extended axis strokes.

Not recommended for: tight installation spaces that require a smaller 25mm, 35mm, or 45mm series, or compact CNC equipment with limited routing space. For those applications, consider our smaller series instead.

Material - 30% Glass-Fiber Reinforced PA66

Our 55mm series CNC drag chain is molded from 30% glass-fiber reinforced PA66 nylon. This material formulation delivers significantly higher strength and impact resistance compared to pure nylon, making it well-suited for the repeated flexing and mechanical stress encountered in heavy-duty CNC applications. The glass-fiber reinforcement also provides exceptional wear resistance, giving the chain a service life of over 10 million cycles under normal operating conditions.

The material maintains stable performance across a broad temperature range from -40°C to +130°C, ensuring reliable operation in both cold workshops and high-heat machining environments. It offers good resistance to oils, coolants, and mild acids or alkalis, so it won't swell or crack after prolonged exposure to industrial fluids commonly found in machine tool applications. The compound is UL94 V-2 rated for flame retardancy, adding a layer of safety protection. Additionally, the material's natural damping properties keep operating noise below 60dB, which is beneficial for precision machining environments where low noise is preferred.

55mm Series Size Chart

Item No	Internal Dimensions      (H x W)    mm	External Dimensions       (H x W)           mm	Bending   Radius    (R)             mm	Pitch           mm	Chain Links per Meter     pcs	Opening Principle	Max Cable Diameter               mm
YDLRB5550	55X50	75X80	R100     R125     R150     R200    R250   R300	80.5	13	bridge    type	50
YDLRB5560	55X60	75X90
YDLRB5575	55X75	75X105
YDLRB5590	55X90	75X120
YDLRB55100	55X100	75X130
YDLRB55117	55X117	75X147
YDLRB55125	55X125	75X155
YDLRB55150	55X150	75X180
YDLRB55175	55X175	75X205
YDLRB55200	55X200	75X230
YDLRB55250	55X250	75X280
YDLRB55300	55X300	75X330

Bridge Open Type - Key Advantages

The bridge open type design means the chain is openable at the top and bottom. This provides three key benefits: fast heat dissipation – airflow keeps cables cool during high-speed operation; easy installation –openable links allow cables to be laid in with the help of a screwdriver; visual inspection – cables remain partially visible, making it easy to spot wear or damage. Additionally, the bridge type is significantly lighter than steel drag chains — about one-third the weight — which reduces the load on your machine's drive system and allows for faster acceleration and deceleration, even with very large cable bundles.

Common Applications for 55mm Series

The 55mm series is the heavy-duty workhorse of our CNC drag chain lineup. It is specifically designed for the largest and most demanding CNC equipment, including large gantry machining centers, heavy-duty CNC lathes, large-format laser and plasma cutting tables, heavy industrial automation systems, and robot transfer units with long travel distances and substantial cable bundles. This series also handles gliding applications where travel length exceeds the carrier's unsupported span — in these cases, the chain operates in a guide trough or with support rollers, allowing travel lengths up to 150 meters in extreme applications .

For machines with smaller routing spaces or lighter cable loads, we recommend our 35mm or 45mm series instead.

Related Product - Enclosed Type

Need full chip ,swarf and coolant protection for your 55mm series?
→ See our 55mm Enclosed Type CNC Drag Chain:
[Internal link to /cnc-drag-chain-enclosed-type/55-series]