Energy supply systems
Energy chains: glide easily over long distances
The energy chain specialist Igus presented its new energy chain called Glide-Chain at the Hannover Messe. It has been specially developed for gliding applications and is particularly suitable for travel distances of up to 30 meters, such as those found in indoor cranes. According to the supplier, its design ensures cost savings of 30 to 40 percent.
Energy chains made of high-performance plastics are used for a wide variety of applications. Their main task is to reliably guide cables. This can also be the case for indoor cranes used in production halls, for example. Igus has now developed a new, lightweight chain especially for very simple gliding applications with a travel distance of up to 30 meters. The Glide-Chain G4.42 is designed to impress with its large sliding surfaces and targeted use of material. This is used where it is needed for the gliding movements.
The design makes the G4.42 up to 25 percent lighter than standard Igus chains. In combination with the large pitch, the glide chain consists of few individual parts and also few different parts. This results in a price advantage of 30 to 40 percent compared to standard chains with the same dimensions from the E2 and E4 range from Igus. "In times when customers are under massive pressure to reduce their costs, we have developed a product that not only saves money, but also has a long service life in the application," says Christian Ziegler, Head of Product Management E-Chains at Igus. The new Glide-Chain was also subjected to intensive series of tests in the company's own 4,000 square meter test laboratory.
Closing the loop
But what happens when the maximum service life of an energy chain is reached? Igus has launched the Chainge program to answer this question. The recycling initiative aims to recycle used energy and drag chains in an environmentally friendly way. Regardless of the manufacturer, old plastic chains can be sent in to be recycled.
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