Whether Polymer e-chain can be used for 10 Meter and more unsupported travel length without Sag?

Shery George | 2 September 2021

A gliding application frequently looks better than unsupported energy chain. This is not just because the straight line of the upper run, but also because the sag leading to the chain drop is eliminated compared to unsupported application.

Unsupported systems will be better to use the space at the end of the travel (lesser Parking space). But at high fill weights in particular, an unsupported plastic energy chain travel limit reach about 5 M only. Here igus can give solution – “with igus guidelok system”.

It retains all the advantages of plastic chains, and the unsupported components are added. It allows up to 49kg/m of fill weight on a travel of up to 50m. The total maximum fill weight is almost 2.5 ton. More is possible by adding another e-chain as opposing movement.

Such a system consists of three components:

– e-chain,

-supporting trough

– guidelok support

The E4.56, E4.80, and E4.112 series e-chains can be configured as usual and supporting trough and supports added. These chains must be mounted without screws or lubrication, of course. The guidelok system also allows the use of e-tubes. They require much less assembly time than alternative products on the market do. The hinged lids provide the interior cables with optimal protection while keeping them easily accessible.

That all sounds great – where’s the catch? It is that the guidelok supports are about 280mm wider than the energy supply’s outer dimensions. There is no other catch.

That is why this system is especially popular in gantry-style machine tools. It often requires a great deal of effort to overcome your reservations and switch from proven steel chains to plastic with guidelok supports. By the time the cables have been inserted, however, any reservations will have disappeared.