Energy chains for reduced downtime and increased service life - a machine component for protecting and guiding flexible cables and hoses.

Energy chains

Cable carriers for reduced downtime and increased service life. The energy chain from igus® is a machine component for protecting and guiding flexible cables and hoses.

 

There are many advantages of our energy chains:

  • Cable-friendly because of their smooth contours
  • Strong, robust, quiet and low weight
  • Easy-to-perform maintenance, easy to install and open
  • Predictable service life
  • Modular and with a wide range of sizes

Our energy chains can be used in different environments (based on material):

  • Standard temperature range -40°C to +130°C (+170°C short term)
  • Resistant to hot swarf (up to +850°C)
  • Chemical resistance
  • Continuous use down to -40°C
  • Suitable for ESD use
  • FDA compliant
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Product overview: Energy chain systems for every application

Small energy chains for small installation spaces

  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Inner heights: 5 - 32 mm

Medium-sized energy chains for the medium-sized load range

  • Quiet, stronger and quick to fill
  • Inner heights: 21 - 48 mm

Large energy chains for high loads

  • Highly dynamic, light and cost-effective
  • Inner heights: 21 - 350 mm

Multi-axis energy chains for robots

  • Inner diameter: 12 - 46.8 mm
  • Three-dimensional for demanding multi-axis robots

Protection against dirt and swarf

  • Inner heights: 21 - 75 mm
  • Closeable chains

Smooth running and cleanroom

  • Inner heights: 10 - 80 mm
  • Suitable for cleanrooms: ISO Class 1
  • Quiet movement

Long travels and heavy duty purposes

  • Inner heights: 32 - 80 mm
  • Long service life, high stability and modular system

Simple applications

  • Inner heights: 9 - 47 mm
  • For static applications or ones involving little motion

3D movements – non-robotics

  • Inner heights: 13 - 75 mm
  • Enables very complex 3D movements without problems

Circular and spiral movements

  • Inner heights: 9 - 56 mm
  • Rotation angle over 7,000 degrees
  • Tough, quiet and high dynamics, suitable for high fill weights

readychain® basic

readychain® standard

readychain® standard plus

readychain® premium

Module Connect

Configured as required and harnessed ready for connection

Triflex application examples

The company ANYBRID uses the the three-dimensional energy chain triflex R for guiding cables in their mobile injection molding technology.

The PRO Plus CNC Machining Center is a machine tool that allows milling in 4 axes, used to process beams for building pergolas and canopies. Triflex R protects the cables against aluminium chips and, censequently, against mechanical damage.

There are many advantages of e-loops:

• Resistant to dirt
• Weather-resistant
• Corrosion resistance
• Defined bend radius
• Easy to open, easy maintenance
• All components individually replaceable
• Protects against impact with robust outer body

Dimensions:

Inner diameter: 150 - 360 mm
Outer diameter: 220 - 430 mm
Bend radius: 380 - 625

Industries:

Offshore, oil and gas industry, shore power supply, construction machinery, wind turbines

 

Top drive systems, drilling rigs

Different solutions for cable protection in special environments

Protection against dirt, swarf, hot chips and heat

Fully enclosed energy chains for the best protection of cables against dust, dirt and other external influences in harsh environments. Swarf-resistant energy chains up to +850°C also available.

Application examples: material transport, wood processing macines, in all areas with dirt….

Cleanroom and smooth running

Energy chains certified for cleanroom applications ISO Class-1 to-5. Solutions with low vibration, low noise and suitable for small installation spaces.

Application examples: semiconductor manufacturing, medical technology, FPD production, packaging.

Conductive ESD solutions

Energy chains made of conductive ESD material to avoid static charge in production of electronic components or assemblies.

Proven over years of use in ATEX areas.

Chemical-resistant energy chains

High density and very low total moisture absorption for increased resistance to aggressive chemicals. Energy supply chains and guide trough systems.

Application examples: galvanisation/electroplating or fertiliser production.

Energy chain for the food industry

The FDA-compliant energy chain is easy to clean, with good resistance to aggressive cleaning agents and chemicals.

Application examples: Packaging, food and beverage filling machines

Product overview: Energy chain systems for every application

RBR rotating energy supply

Rotation angle up to 360° for fast-rotating applications

twisterchain system

Rotation angle up to 540°, strong, high fill weights

e-spool system

Rotation angle up to 540° without slip ring, space-saving

PRM rotating energy supply

Rotation angle up to 360° with plastic guide trough

MRM rotating energy supply

Rotation angle up to 900° for fast-rotating applications

twisterband system

Rotation angle up to 7000° in the smallest installation spaces

Modular guide trough system

Guide troughs for long travels where the e-chain glides
  • Aluminium SuperTrough system in two versions: basic and heavy-duty
  • Steel guide trough system - very stable, rugged for heavy machinery
  • Tubular trough RS system for less demanding applications
  • Smaller, Snap-in trough system

Strain relief elements

Specifically developed for use in dynamic applications

Strain relief devices fix cables in energy chains and ensure cables not being torn out. The combination of chainflex cable materials and the contacting plastic components of the strain relief elements from igus are designed for long cable service life and maximum holding force.

Chainfix clamps

For cables in energy chains with clamps and stacker elements.

Strain relief separators

Separator with integrated strain relief teeth, for use on the first or last chain link.

Tiewrap plates

For cables in energy chains with clamps and stacker elements.

Honeycomb strain relief

Saves time, increases flexibility and reduces material wear thanks to its tribologically optimised clamping strength.

Strain relief elements CFV

Strain relief element outside of the chain cross section.

Strain relief nuggets

Simple strain relief with cable tiewraps.

Got any questions? Contact our product manager!

Hans Christian Maudal

Sales Manager & Product Manager –
E-chain® solutions

hcm@asi.no

+47 943 04 043

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