Energy chains
What happens when a plastic energy chain reaches its maximum service life? Usually, it is simply disposed of and incinerated with other plastic waste. With its “igus green chainge recycling program”, the motion plastics specialist igus is now doing something completely new: users can send their plastic chains to igus for recycling – completely irrespective of the manufacturer. They can eliminate disposal costs and also receive a voucher for making purchases from igus. Customers and the environment both profit from this.
While many stars and starlets can hardly wait for the spotlight of an awards ceremony, designers do not often rush into the limelight. But the jury of experts at the vector award is certain that it is precisely they and their innovations that deserve attention – after all, they shape everyday life in the industry and far beyond. That’s why developers are called upon to compete for the 7th vector award with their bold and extraordinary energy chain applications.
igus has developed the twisterband HD so that cables and hoses can be guided safely and reliably even during rotary movements. The lightweight energy chain is very stable, easy to fill and can even cope with rotating speeds of up to 180 degrees a second. It rotates around its own axis. Due to the long service life of the series, igus has now added two further sizes to the twisterband HD product range, these new sizes being intended for especially small installation spaces.
High unsupported lengths and long travels with large fill weights create extreme stress on energy chains. igus, the motion plastics specialist, has developed the E4Q energy chain series to tackle this. Based on the robust and proven E4.1 energy chain standard, the new range brings a long service life and a high degree of modularity.
For a reliable energy supply in cleanrooms, igus has developed its modular and openable e-skin energy supply range. The energy chains provide plant with data, media and energy without unwanted particles contaminating the air. This was also proven by the Fraunhofer Institute IPA. All four energy chain types were convincing in the tests – with and without cables – and received the Fraunhofer Tested Device Certificate of ISO Class 1 for use in cleanrooms.
Wind and weather, dirt, and rough handling: shore drilling rigs, the oil and gas industry, offshore, construction machinery and wind turbines are subject to gruelling conditions. These act on plant and the machine elements, and for this reason long-lasting components are called for.
The motion plastics specialist igus operates the largest test laboratory in the industry on more than 3,800 square metres. 10 billion cycles are covered every year for energy chains and cables alone. Now igus has commissioned a new automated test facility for long distances in outdoor premises in Cologne Porz-Lind.
From technical innovation and the standard up to a far-sighted solution: this characterises the evolution of igus roller energy chains. For more than 45 years, the motion plastics specialist has been developing energy supply systems that reliably guide cables for all media – such as Ethernet, servo, motor – as well as hoses.
When people and machines stand shoulder to shoulder in production, safety at work is an important issue. Therefore, igus has now developed a new clamp for energy chains and protective hoses on cobots. The Lean Robotics retaining fixture produced by injection moulding, has a uniform size which makes it very cost-effective. The retaining fixture can be installed in seconds with a Velcro strip.