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Latest generation P4.1 rol e-chain®

Merging bearing technology & smart sensors for longer service life

The line of P4 energy chains has been optimized for greater reliability. With the new P4.1 roller chain, there is a bearing point for pivoting in every chain link connection. These points are integrated with maintenance-free plain bearings, which minimize friction and more than double the expected service life. Container cranes in ports, for example, can achieve a service life of more than 15 years or 20,000+ operating hours.

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Special features of the rol e-chain® P4.1

Drive power reduced

P4.1-rollers

Due to the offset between upper run and lower run, the polymer rollers are not rolled over, but roll past each other to allow very smooth running. As a result, the coefficient of friction decreases and the drive power is reduced by 57 per cent.

Longer service life

P4.1-bearings

Equipped with maintenance-free plain bearings in each chain link, the service life of the energy chain is more than doubled.

Predictive maintenance

Predictive maintenance

As an option, the new P4.1 can be fitted with smart monitoring sensors. Therefore, at a defined wear limit, a signal is issued to the igus i. cee communication module and with it maintenance can be planned in advance.

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Service life comparison of igus® rol e-chains® generations

Comparison based on indoor crane fitted with igus® products, the crane having an operating time of 9 years and more than 40,000
operating hours. The previous roller chains were replaced according to a maintenance schedule.

igus® roller chain

Application examples

Port and Terminal cranes

Port and Terminal Cranes

Engineered plastic energy chains have been reliably used on thousands of port and terminal cranes for over 30 years. Trusted by major crane manufacturers, e-chain® systems are quickly becoming the go-to technology for port applications. The igus® cable carriers withstand the harshest conditions while operating without fail.

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    • indoor and EOT cranes

    Indoor and EOT Cranes

    Energy chains are incredibly reliable solutions for indoor cranes. They can be used on single or double girder cranes, roller or box girder cranes, overhead traveling technology, and more. The designs are space-saving and provide a synchronous run of the trolley and e-chain® system. Maintenance and downtime is also reduced to an absolute minimum.

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    • Storage and retrieving

    Automated storage and retrieval systems

    Modern energy chain technology is enhancing a variety of automated storage and retrieval systems. Beneficial features of the e-chain® for these applications include quick and easy assembly, light weight, and reliability at high speeds and accelerations. The e-chains® are also low cost and very quiet running.

  • Storage and retrieval machine
    • Heavy machinery and plant construction

    Heavy machinery / Plant construction

    Energy chains are the most durable solution for guiding and protecting cables and hoses in heavy machinery. Steel mills, oil platforms and other application areas operate reliably when integrated with e-chains®, as the material is corrosion-free withstands temperatures up to +1,562˚F. Long travel distances and angles of rotation up to 900˚ can be achieved.

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    • Material handling

    Material handling

    High-performance plastic energy chains are ideal for shelving systems in material handling. For each type of shelving system, igus® creates customized e-chains to fit the specific application. Other machines for material handling such as industrial trucks and lift tables can also benefit from maintenance-free e-chains®.

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    • Smart e-chain® and cables

    Smart Plastics e-chain® and cables

    Use smart plastics to stay abreast of how your chain is doing.
    Our intelligent e-chain® systems are already reliably in use in hundreds of thousands of applications.

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    Smart bearing technology

    Smart plain bearings

    Don't let a defective plain bearing ruin your day.
    Smart plain bearings are great for sensitive or hard-to-reach spots on a machine, since they allow the bearing's condition to be assessed at any time.

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    Smart Applications

    Smart applications

    Customer application examples with smart plastics
    Whether a new project for Industry 4.0 or efficiency-driven retrofitting - our smart plastics solutions can be individually adapted to any system.

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    Contact Us

    Questions or product information? Please contact:

    Dan Thompson
    Dan Thompson

    Senior Product Manager

    +1 800 521 2747Contact an Expert

    Customer Service

    Customer Service:
    Phone: Monday to Friday from 8 am - 8 pm
    LiveChat: 24 hours

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