Energy chain in indoor crane in metal processing in a scorching hot environment

Problem

This application is an Indian metalworking operation that uses a large EOT (electric overhead traveling) crane.
The environment is characterized by aggressive conditions, which are reflected in the high temperatures at the blast furnaces as well as sharp-edged metal chips and the highly abrasive, dense dust.
The adverse conditions led to problems with the festooning systems previously used to guide energy and data cables. Here, there had been an increase in cable failures, which were damaged by the prevailing conditions. The cable trolley in the festooning system also jammed more frequently, resulting in increased system failure and expensive productivity losses. At the same time, the cables took up a lot of space in this arrangement, which also reduced the space for replacing individual lines and made maintenance work more difficult.

Solution

The plant operator was looking for a reliable solution for cable routing and to avoid further costly production failures. He found what he was looking for in our range of plastic energy chains. We offer a wide portfolio of e-chains for a wide variety of applications, environmental conditions, loads or space conditions. The E4/4 chains are particularly suitable for cranes, as their high robustness and rigidity also allow long travel distances. In particularly abrasive conditions, the materials of the chains can also provide reliable protection of all cables against hot metal chips in foundries, for example.

In the end, the customer's decision to switch was worth it: Even during the last inspection at the customer's site, 35 months after installation, no incidents occurred, and the system works without failure. The customer is so satisfied that installation in other cranes is also planned in the coming years.