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.
Longer service life - 375,000km running performance - due to maintenance-free tribo-polymer plain bearings in chain link connections.
Long travels of more than 1,000m
Speeds of more than 5m/s
Low vibration and noise thanks to split profile roller
Integration of sensors for predictive maintenance
Up to 36-month guarantee on energy chains and cables or the number of double strokes determined by the service life calculator.
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
Equipped with maintenance-free plain bearings in each chain link, the service life of the energy chain is more than doubled.
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.
Service life comparison* igus® rol e-chains® generations
Application examples
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.
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.
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.
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.
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®.