Cable Chain for Standing Desks

This is a simple cable chain to protect the cables on standing desks.

The chain has been modelled in FreeCAD and can be easily adapted to your needs.

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Measurements

The chain is configured for an inner height of 14 mm and width of 20 mm.
One segment has a length of 44 mm.

With the necessary overlap, that amounts to approximately 33 segments per meter, not counting the ends.

However, you can use FreeCAD to change the parameters and adapt it to your needs.
If the models break when changing the properties, try changing them iteratively.

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Materials

• [1x] Zip tie per segment (short; 10 cm)

• [1x] Zip tie for the end (long; 35 cm)

• [4x] 3 mm countersunk wood screw for the other end

• Some double-sided adhesive tape

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Printing

• Filament material: PETG

• Layer height: 0.20 mm

• Infill: 60 % Grid

• Perimeters: 3

• Supports: Yes, organic

• Notes:

  • You can mark the cable tie slits with a support blocker. They bridge quite well without supports.

  •  Clean the hinges a little with a sharp blade and/or deburring tool.

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Assembly

End 1 (screw-on)

• Find a good location under your desk that is in line with a leg and screw on with 3 mm wood screws.

End 2

• Locate a position on the base segment of the telescopic table legs where you want the chain to end.

  • Position it right at the top to reduce the number of segments to print.

• (Recommended) Use some double-sided adhesive tape to stick the end to the desk.

  • (Recommended) Clean the back of the end 2 segment and the surface of the leg with some isopropyl alcohol to remove any grease before applying the tape.

• Use a long cable tie to affix the end 2 segment to the leg.

Segments

• Place a segment on the cables you are going to protect by the chain.

• Thread a cable tie through the slits in the segment and close it. Don't fasten it just yet.

  • Make sure that the hollow/ring end of the hinge faces up towards the desktop.

• Repeat above steps with the remaining segments.

• Clip the segments together with alternating orientations, the cable tie facing towards you and then away from you.

• Connect the chain with both ends and check the length in the highest position of the desk.

  • Add or remove segments until it fits the height satisfactorily.

• Tighten the zip ties so that they are taut. Don't overtighten them, or you will pull the hinges apart. Crop the excess.