How energy chain systems are proven reliable for long travels

For operators of sewage plants, waste incineration plants, cranes, power plants or mines, one of the greatest challenges is to guide power, data and hydraulics safely on long travels. 

Conventional energy supply systems, including motor cable drums, busbars and festoons, have their limitations, particularly when operating at high speeds with a heavy fill weight. 

An alternative is to use energy chain systems from igus, which are tested over long distances at its automated test facility.

At the outdoor test rig, the energy chain system travels at a speed of up to 8m/s on a track of 240m.

The fully automated system accounts for a wide range of applications in terms of acceleration and speed. In addition to the mechanical load caused by the movement of the transfer vehicle, environmental influences act unimpeded on the tested energy chains and cables.

igus energy chains systems are used, both indoors and out, in more than 1,000 crane and gantry applications worldwide, with travels of up to 1000m, speeds up to 10m/s and fill weights of 50kg/m, for several million cycles.

In this video we see how the rollers integrated in the chain link of the P4 series keep friction to a minimum to increase service life. 

The offset between the upper and lower runs ensures that the plastic rollers are not rolled over to allow very smooth running. 

As a result, the coefficient of friction is minimised, which reduces the required drive power by 57%, saving energy costs.