Igus combines energy chain variants
An
Igus UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Dec 2, 2008
The E4.1 range is a further development of the E4 Igus system that combines the best design ideas of the two energy chain variants E4/4 and E4/100 in one single universal solution.
The system includes numerous enhanced design features and comes in a wide supply range of five different interior heights from 21 to 80mm, as well as widths from 30 to 600mm.
The E4.1 has new dividing links and new quick-action locking of the opening crossbars.
With the combination of inner and outer side-links, the user has the possibility of choosing different configurations.
Controlling the pre-tension can be managed by simply turning the outer side-link.
If, on the other hand, the inner side-link is turned, the rotation of the link is changed, and thus the direction of rotation of the energy chain.
This makes applications such as 'zigzag' possible, for example.
The sides of the energy chain are connected through a tongue-and-groove connection.
This increases stability in pull and push direction, especially when the chain is used lying on its side, or when high lateral acceleration forces are acting on the chain.
The torsional stability of the energy chain is also increased.
Igus has developed a quick-action lock for the crossbars of the E4.1.
Users can now open and close even tightly packed energy chains using only a screwdriver.
This feature helps during initial assembly, repairs or retrofitting.
Users do not need any screws, circlips, bolts or any other small parts that can be easily lost.
Since the energy chain is accessible from above and below, servicing work can be carried out without it having to be dismantled.
'This also applies to long gliding travels using guide troughs,' said Justin Leonard, director for energy chain systems at Igus.
The opening links are integrated with new components for dividing up the interior, which can be combined and are interchangeable.
'They have also been developed for even faster installation and cable routing,' added Leonard.
This means the interior division can be installed without opening the energy chain.
Separators can be inserted without force and cables already inserted can be divided again later.
The standard version of the E4.1 series of energy chains also has a noise-dampening stop system with an internal brake.
If even quieter noise levels are required, the outer radius of the energy chains can be equipped with additional sound reducing pads, which makes quiet rolling possible.
These pads are soft, dampening elements that reduce sound and vibration as the energy chain is moved.
The E4.1 supply range also permits numerous special solutions.
These range from cleanroom versions through to ESD energy chains and include variants that take special fire protection classifications or chemical resistance requirements into account.
When equipped with lids and made of the high-temperature material Igumid HT, the chain can even withstand attacks by chips heated to 850C.
The E4.1 is now also available in the XXL material for applications that require 25 per cent more self-supporting length.
Travel distances up to 13m can be achieved safely without channels and supports.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Igus UK
Tel +44 1604 677240
Other Igus UK stories
-
Igus launches wear-resistant Iglidur compounds
Igus has launched the Iglidur J3 and Iglidur X6 compounds. -
P4 energy chain system has two sizes
Igus has introduced a range of products for port cranes at the TOC Europe in Bremen. -
Plastic bearings versus other alternatives
Some engineers hesitate to use plastic bearings because they have trusted metal and bronze bearings for years or they simply don't think plastics can handle tough applications, according to Igus UK. -
Igus continuous-flex cables use bundling technique
In nearly all Igus Chainflex cables, the conductors are bundled to eliminate problems associated with cables constructed in layers. -
Igus offers free chain and cable inspections
Igus has announced that its engineers are available once again to examine energy chains and flexible cables free of charge, before or during factory shutdowns in July and August.
Browse by category
-
Capital Equipment (3,423)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (519)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,106)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (65)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (941)
- Consultancy and Services (909)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,068)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (807)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (187)
- Control and Instrumentation (2)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (295)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (202)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,185)
- Plantwide control (1,337)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (569)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (388)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,398)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,285)
- Industrial Motors (500)
- Linear Drives and Motors (115)
- Precision Motors and Gears (420)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,075)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,212)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (558)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (695)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (636)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (1)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (371)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (713)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (426)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (812)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,236)
- 2D CAD software (201)
- 3D CAD software (1,162)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (572)
- Data, document management software (313)
- Electrical design software (165)
- Engineering Design Software (15)
- FEA and structural analysis software (374)
- File conversion software, data capture (355)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Materials design and moulding design software (152)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (319)
- PLM and collaboration software (652)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (261)
- Publishing and documentation software (232)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (201)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (928)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,145)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Conferences (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (845)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (568)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (357)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (636)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Seminars (405)
- Engineering Training Courses (443)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (176)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (280)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (114)
- Machine Building (4,568)
-
Materials and Processing (2,994)
- Materials and components (2,237)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials processing and testing (288)
- Rapid Prototyping (464)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,543)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (479)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (498)
- Data loggers (423)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (636)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (736)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (445)
- Materials testing equipment (420)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (156)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (510)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,239)
-
Powertrain Design (3,652)
- Bearings (960)
- Chains and belts (329)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,456)
- Hydraulic Components (473)
- Lubricants (431)
- Powertrain Design (2)
-
Sensors (7,150)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (434)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (622)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (286)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (155)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (529)
- Linear Position Sensors (408)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (712)
- Pressure sensors (625)
- Proximity Sensors (708)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (551)
- Sensors (8)
- Temperature sensors (613)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,396)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,989)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,661)
