Increasing electricity costs is now a challenge for entire production lines, individual machines or components such as energy chains that guide cables and hoses for energy, data and hydraulics in industrial plants. As a rule, the upper run of an e-chain glides on the lower run. On short routes, energy is not a problem because the igus high-performance plastics ensure low-friction operation. For longer travels (several hundred metres) and high payloads (up to 100kg/m), the coefficients of friction increase and, consequentially, energy consumption.
As its remedy, igus offers a version of E4.1, the E4.1R, with integrated rollers. This series is one of igus’ best-selling energy chains and a universal solution for 90% of gliding applications. Rollers reduce drive power by up to 37% — savings that minimise energy requirements now that electricity prices are soaring. A pleasant side effect is that the E4.1R runs more smoothly thanks to the rollers, with noise and vibrations reduced.
The roller chain links are also fully compatible with the entire E4.1 series modular system, so that indoor linear robots in the machine tool industry can still be retrofitted. In addition to internal heights of 42 and 56mm, a height of 80mm is available for the E4.1R. Add several widths and radii, and you have a total of over 900 variants for individual applications.
For further information: E-mail: kramanujachar@igus.net, www.igus.in
