Igus launches energy chains which are low in friction and light weight for long travels

Energy chain specialist igus GmbH introduces a new roller energy chain (based on the E2/000 family) and a modular plastic guiding profile. Both new products are particularly ideal for long travels. They are part of the permanently growing modular system for all types of movement.

Economic roller energy chain

If the travel is too long for a pure sliding application, and a robust P4 roller energy chain is over-dimensioned due to its filling weight and its dynamic, light weight roller energy-chains of the series 3500R - based on the proven two-piece energy chain family E2/000 - are the ideal solution. With this further development, long travels with low additional loads can be cost-effectively achieved. The known advantages of the design – safe, silent, durable and abrasion-resistant - are maintained. The energy chain, which can be opened from the external radius, is particularly variable due to its modular interior separation. Easy to install, it is particularly suitable for horizontal applications. The modular design of the roller chain link allows the use of all widths of the standard series 3500.

The roller system with low friction, not only safely drives energy. It is especially energy-efficient compared to sliding solutions. Travels up to 150 m at speeds up to 4 m/s can be achieved more economically. All “energy-chains” of the series 3500R are part of the comprehensive modular system, they are available at short notice and when required completely ready-to install.

Efficient plastic guiding profile

The chain series 3500R can be safely guided in the newly developed “guidelite” system, a modular plastic Guide Rails. While the lower run of the EC is guided in two L-shaped and glass-fibre-reinforced guiding troughs, the upper run partially passes through guide brackets that are mounted in distances of one meter. The system points at harsh conditions with its weather resistance, insensitivity against dirt and high impact strength at low temperature.

Because the upper run of the energy chain is only partly guided, it is designed for slow applications with low cycle numbers. Due to its open design it is particularly insensitive against dirt and for example can be used in greenhouses. In this case the EC(energy chain is used to guide water hoses. Generally many other applications are imaginable, where the requirements in terms of speed, cycle numbers and additional loads are at the lower range. Apart from that “guidelite” can be used as a cheap supporting trough for free-supporting applications. In addition of the series 3500R “guidelite” is suitable for different “e-chains” of the series E2/000 and E4.1. “guidelite” can be quickly installed, it is especially economic, corrosion-resistant and very lightweight.

Picture 01: igus GmbH, Cologne

Modular plastic guide profile “guidelite” for long travels also in harsh environments. Main components are two L-shaped and glass-fibre-reinforced guiding troughs and guide brackets mounted in a distance of one meter.

Picture 02: igus GmbH, Cologne

Roller energy chains of the series 3500R for long travels: safe, silent, durable and abrasion-resistant, in the picture with the new modular “guidelite” guiding trough.