Roller drag chain with integrated predictive maintenance sensors

P4.1 rol e-chain®

The P4.1 energy chain series is optimised for maximum reliability. Every link in the new P4.1 roller chain incorporates a pivot point with integrated, maintenance-free plain bearings. This design minimises friction and more than doubles service life, enabling demanding applications such as container cranes to achieve over 15 years or 20,000+ operating hours.

Longer service life - 375,000km running performance - thanks to maintenance-free tribopolymer plain bearings in chain link connections
Long travels of over 1,000m
Speeds of more than 5m/s
Low vibration and travel noise thanks to split profile roller
Integration of sensors for predictive maintenance
Guarantee of up to 4 years on energy chains and cables or alternatively the number of double strokes determined by the service life calculator

Special features of the roller energy chain® P4.1

Drive power reduced

Due to the offset between the upper and lower run, the plastic rollers do not roll over but past each other, allowing for particularly smooth operation. This reduces the coefficient of friction and drive power by 57%.

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.

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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.

Calculate your energy chain service life here

Free white paper:

Triple-E-class container ships and the energy supply requirements of STS cranes

This white paper addresses the following topics, among others:

Challenge: cranes for Triple-E-class container ships
Requirements for crane availability and reliability
Comparison of energy and signal supply systems for crane trolleys (festoons, busbar systems and energy chains)
Technological outlook: rol e-chains

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Test for long travels

The rol e‑chain was tested at travel speeds of up to 8 m/s over a distance of 200 m, corresponding to a total travel length of 400 m. The fully automated system accommodates a wide range of applications, covering various acceleration profiles and operating speeds. In addition to the mechanical loads generated by the movement of the transfer vehicle, the energy chains and cables under test are also exposed to environmental influences.

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Assembly instruction for P4.1 system

Quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the P4.1 energy chain

Assembly:

Press the chain links together
Tighten screws with screwdriver
Install autoglide crossbars

Disassembly:

Dismantle autoglide crossbars
Remove screws with a screwdriver
Separate chain links

Application examples

Port and intermodal cranes

Engineered plastic energy chains have been reliably used on thousands of port and intermodal 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 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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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

High-performance plastic energy chains are ideal for shelving systems in material handling. For each type of shelving system, igus® creates customised 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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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.