The management of moving cables and hoses in machine building is critical to the safe operation and longevity of the equipment, with modern systems like energy chain cable carriers often replacing conventional systems like cable festoons, reels or free-hanging loops.
igus energy chains act as a protective guide for cables and hoses and are increasingly widely used in industry.
German polymer manufacturer, igus, offers its innovative polymer chains to the South African market. The energy chains act as a protective guide for cables and hoses, ensuring that they move in a defined, controlled path without tangling, twisting or wearing prematurely. They are widely used in manufacturing, automation, packaging, mining, robotics and machine tool industries. Due to their low-maintenance characteristics and ability to handle different types of energy (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fibre optic) and auxiliary components such as hoses, all in one neat, flexible solution, igus energy chains are fast replacing traditional festoon and cable reel systems.
“Our e-chain cable carriers are increasingly being designed into new systems or in retrofitting festoons and cable-reel systems in most industries. The e-chains simply act as a moving conduit that keeps the cable neat and always protected,” says igus South Africa Managing Director, Ian Hewat.
He cites ten main reasons why engineers and system integrators in South Africa are increasingly turning to igus energy chains when designing and building machines.
Cable-friendly design: igus energy chains have smooth inner surfaces and a controlled minimum bending radius based on cable specification. The energy chains also protect cables and hoses from micro-abrasions and stress cracks. This reduces premature failures and extends cable life even in highly dynamic applications.
Modular, lightweight and strong: made from high-performance polymers, igus chains are lighter than metal systems yet offer effective strength and stability. Their modular construction means they can be easily extended, shortened or customised on site, which makes them ideal where tight project timelines are to be met.
Multi-media integration: igus energy chains can carry electric cables, pneumatic lines, hydraulic hoses and fibre optic cables simultaneously in a coordinated and well protected housing. This helps streamline machine design and reduces the number of separate systems required.
Predictable service life with warranty: igus backs its products with a guaranteed service life based on millions of lab-tested cycles. Many igus chainflex cables carry up to a four-year warranty or the prescribed minimum cycles lifespan. OEMs and machine users are thus assured of performance.
Low-friction energy-efficient operation: with their self-lubricating plastic design which significantly reduces drag forces, igus chains glide with minimal resistance. This makes them more efficient than festoon or reel systems that suffer from mechanical resistance or cable overlap.
Maintenance-free operation: no greasing or lubrication is needed throughout the life of the chain. This reduces downtime and makes igus energy chains ideal for use in clean environments like food processing or high-dust areas like cement and mining operations.
Quick configuration and customisation: designers can use the free igus online configurators to select, model and download their preferred energy chain setup. This speeds up the design process and ensures compatibility with machine layout.
Intelligent condition monitoring: with igus’s i.Sense smart plastics add-on sensors can be embedded to monitor wear, cable tension and chain motion in real-time. This enables predictive maintenance and reduces the risk of cable failure.
Space-saving and safe: energy chains allow for neatly routed cables and hoses that don’t hang or swing, improving machine aesthetics and workplace safety. They also fit into compact machine designs where festoons or loops would be impractical.
Broad industry applications: igus e-chains are in use in over 50 industries – from CNC machines and robotics to packaging lines, quarries and marine applications. Their proven versatility makes them a reliable choice across virtually any moving cable application, with travels from as short as 100 mm up to the current longest application of 950 m.
For more information visit: www.igus.co.za