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The evolution of the igus® rol e-chain®

More than 25 years of continuous improvement of the igus rol e-chains for long travels

The evolution of the rol e-chain

The roller energy chain for long travels and heavy duty

The rol e-chain has been the tried-and-tested energy supply for long travels for more than years. Besides the successful design that distinguishes all of our linear energy chain systems, stainless steel rollers are added, which upgrade the energy chain to an energy supply system for heavy-duty applications. As the energy chain rolls and does not glide, it runs quietly and with low vibration. Wear is significantly lower than for designs without rollers, and the power needed for movement is also lower by as much as 57%.

More about the latest generation

1999 - The revolution

Rol e-chain in crane systems

The first igus rol e-chain in Europe with a travel of 130 metres for the main power supply to a crane system.

2004 - The evolution

HD rol e-chain in STS cranes

The integrated rol e-chain 4040RHD Heavy-duty rol e-chain in an STS crane. The "HD version" of the rol e-chain is becoming the standard for STS crane applications and ship unloaders/loaders with long travels and high speeds, worldwide.

2008 - The innovation

P4 rol e-chain in crane systems

The split rol e-chain P4 complements the rol e-chain family product range for applications with very high speeds (<240m/min.) and installations where noise is a very important factor. Where used: worldwide on STS crane systems, ASC cranes etc.

2018 - the expansion

P4.1 rol e-chain

The smart rol e-chain P4.1 supercedes the P4 and becomes an endurance runner. In the case of ASC cranes, the P4.1 enables the primary supply of power and data and operates at very high speeds (<300m/min.). Where used: worldwide on STS crane systems, ASC cranes, etc.

The most fascinating projects with igus rol e-chains

Lignite excavator

Lignite excavator

Travels of 615m and in operation without failure since 2008
Compared to previously installed festoon systems, the 5050RHD series e-chain systems® can now reduce the required cable lengths, save installation space and safely and reliably guide all media, such as water and energy. The 5050RHD series is used in the large lignite excavator in the Czech Republic.

  • Lignite excavator
    • Conveyor system in a mine

    Conveyor system in a mine

    Long travel of 550m under extreme conditions
    The 5050HD series e-chain system and the CF35 chainflex motor cable were installed in a mine on the north coast of Lake Superior in Minnesota in October 2008. The travel distance is 550m.

  • Conveyor system in a mine
    • Conveyor systems

    Conveyor systems

    Energy supply under adverse environmental conditions since 2013
    igus energy supply systems (rol e-chain type 5050RHD, chainflex cables and push/pull detection system) are used in conveyor systems.

  • Conveyor systems
    • Ship unloader

    Ship unloader

    Travel of 441m and in operation without failure since 2001
    Series 5050R energy chains, CFCrane chainflex cables and fibre optic cables are used in ship unloaders at a modern coal-fired power plant in Malaysia. All energy chains are completely equipped with stainless steel guide troughs and withstand weather conditions.

  • Ship unloader
    • BANG slab handling crane

    Slab handling crane

    Pre-fitted energy supply system exposed to heat and dust
    Based on the special requirements for the energy chain and cables in the slab handling crane produced by BANG Kransysteme GmbH & Co. KG, the igus technicians recommended a rol e-chain. This was designed and supplied as a type 5050RHD pre-fitted readychain basic system.

  • Slab handling crane
    • Ship-to-shore crane with readychain

    Ship-to-shore crane

    Safe and smart energy supply system in harsh environments
    For the high-speed trolley drive of the ship-to-shore crane, a rol e-chain is used for power and data transmission.
    The system was delivered completely pre-fitted to the construction site, saving the customer a lot of time during installation and largely eliminating assembly errors.

  • Ship-to-shore crane

    • Comparison of how rol e-chains evolved

    E400R series

    E400R series

    1999
    Rollers in the e-chains links allow the coefficient of friction and therefore the drive energy required for energy supply systems to be reduced enormously. This is a decisive factor in the success of the rol e-chain from igus, especially on longer travels of more than 100 metres.

    4040RHD series

    4040RHD series

    2004In the second development stage of the rol e-chains, the chain was strengthened at all important points. In the case of this heavy-duty version, the pin/bore connection was enlarged by 100% while the size of the contact surfaces was increased by more than 30%. As a result, the expected service life doubled compared to the preceding series.

    4040RHD series

    P4 system

    P4 system

    2008
    The P4 is a new stage of development. It is characterised by the fact that it operates with significantly less noise and vibration thanks to the double roller design, which in turn increases the expected service life of the system. Due to the same-sized pitch of standard links and roller links, the polygon effect is reduced as well.

    P4

    P4.1 system

    P4.1 system

    2018
    In the latest development stage of the igus rol e-chains, the use of maintenance-free, tribo-polymer plain bearings in the connection of the e-chain links also considerably lengthens the service life. As an option, they can also be fitted with the i.Sense condition monitoring system to reliably predict the expected service life of the system. Compared to the first rol e-chain, the expected service life has been more than trebled.

    P4.1 rol e-chain
    smart plastics

    Robust and smart – How digitally networked energy chains strengthen STS cranes in the port of Rotterdam

    Free case study for download This case study clearly describes how EMO B.V. was able to achieve running performances of over 375,000km on its STS cranes with igus chains for cranes®.

    To PDF download

    Fail-safe even on long travels ... with igus chainflex cables
    Huge range with 1,354 cable types for motor, data, bus and hybrid systems, and much more. Specially developed for moving applications in e-chains.

    CFCRANE.PUR motor cable

    CF.CRANEPUR

    The "special" cable at the standard rate

    • For maximum voltages and outputs
    • Flame-retardant
    • UV & oil-resistance
    Learn more

    DNV-GL and NEK cables

    CF DNV-GL

    Certified and resistant to mud and dirt

    • Unique in the world with DNV-GL approval
    • MUD-resistant in accordance with NEK 606
    • More than 370 certified products for all cable types
    Learn more

    CF310.UL single-core cable

    CF price check

    Utilise various savings potentials with single cores

    • 1st advantage: Reduced installation space
    • 2nd advantage: Cost reduction
    • 3rd advantage: Longer service life
    Learn more

    More information

    Brochure

    Further e-chain applications

    "The evolution of the rol e-chains" (PDF)

    Download now!

    igus system guarantee

    igus system guarantee
    igus system guarantee

    Every application is different. igus warranty certificates are issued individually for your application. Ask for the igus guarantee: "Chain, cable, guarantee"

    Consulting

    I look forward to answering your questions

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