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Closed energy chain for dirt and swarf protection up to +850°C
In harsh environments, cables require special protection against dust, swarf, dirt and other external influences. The best protection is provided by the closed energy chain from igus - also known as energy tubes or e-tubes.
No burning or melting marks in the swarf area thanks to the igus® material igumid® HT
igus® Energy tubes have been used in the chip area for over 20 years. However, some applications - depending on the number, size and temperature of the chips - left burn and melt marks. The new igus® material igumid® HT puts an end to this. New possibilities are now opening up for replacing more unwieldy metal energy supplies.
Typical industries and applications: Material handling, woodworking machinery, in all areas exposed to dirt and swarf ...
igumid® HT in the test
Test: 20 g of hot swarf (200 to 850 °C) applied to various materials. The graph shows the amount of swarf burnt in. Test winner: igumid® HT up to 850 °C.
Chip-resistant energy chain up to +120°C
What are closed energy chains?
Compared to open energy chains (diagram 1), closed energy chains (diagram 2) are completely closed. Closed energy chains made of the igus material igumid G can be used at temperatures up to +120°C and those made of the material igumid HT for hot swarf up to +850°C. Laboratory tests and numerous references have made igus closed energy chains a safe cable protection for welding robots and machine tools for over 20 years. Discover below the best closed energy chains that protect cables from dust, dirt, sludge, compost, wood, textile fibres, paper dust, grinding paste, coolants, glass dust, glass splinters, coal dust, sand, etc.
Closed energy chains for reliable cable protection
R2.1 e-tubes - cost-effective chip protection
Cost-effective, robust e-tubes with an inner height of 26, 40, 48 or 75mm. Openable and removable lids along inner or outer radius, openable from both sides. Designed to provide a tight seal, with strong double stop-dogs for high fill weights and unsupported lengths.
Advantages of System R2.1:
- Large inner height and cost-effective
- Cables are protected from chips
- Easy to fill, lid can be opened on both sides in the inner or outer radius
- Quiet operation thanks to built-in brake
- Integrated ratchet in the e-tube chain link and lid for side-mounted application
Lids openable from both sides along the outer radius
R2.26
inner height hi: 26 mm
inner width Bi: 25 - 150 mm
bend radius R: 60 - 175 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 2.00 m
R2.40
inner height hi: 40 mm
inner width Bi: 50 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 80 - 250 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 2.75 m
R2.48
inner height hi: 48 mm
inner width Bi: 50 - 250 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 250 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 2.75 m
R2.75
inner height hi: 75 mm
inner width Bi: 111 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 130 - 400 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 3.00 m
Lids openable from both sides along the inner radius
R2i.26
inner height hi: 26 mm
inner width Bi: 25 - 150 mm
bend radius R: 60 - 175 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 2.00 m
R2i.40
inner height hi: 40 mm
inner width Bi: 50 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 80 - 250 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 2.75 m
R2i.48
inner height hi: 48 mm
inner width Bi: 50 - 250 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 250 mm
Unsupported length: ≤ 2.75 m
E2 R system
Two-piece e-tubes - Chip protection - Very smooth running
E2R energy tubes - small pitch for higher speeds and quiet running. igus® e-tubes also for the direct chip area and applications with heavy dirt and dust loads such as in wood or metal processing as well as in the paper, textile and agricultural industries or other adverse environmental conditions.
- Very good protection against swarf (including hot swarf)
- Robust and leak-proof
- Space-saving with a good ratio of internal to external dimensions
- Modular interior partitioning options
- Universal "all-round" mounting bracket
E2 R100 - Two-part e-tubes - Chip protection - Swivelling lid
inner height 21 mm
Series R117
inner height hi: 21 mm
inner width Bi: 20 - 100 mm
bend radius R: 63 - 180 mm
pitch: 30.5 mm
Series R118
inner height hi: 21 mm
inner width Bi: 20 - 100 mm
bend radius R: 63 - 180 mm
pitch: 30.5 mm
inner height 40 mm
Series R157
inner height hi: 40 mm
inner width Bi: 40 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 250 mm
pitch: 46 mm
Series R158
inner height hi: 40 mm
inner width Bi: 40 - 200 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 250 mm
pitch: 46 mm
inner height 50 mm
Series R167
inner height hi: 50 mm
inner width Bi: 50 - 250 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 300 mm
pitch: 58.8 mm
Series R168
inner height hi: 50 mm
inner width Bi: 50 - 250 mm
bend radius R: 100 - 300 mm
pitch: 58.8 mm
AX e-chain® Series - Special chain for fine dust applications
AX chain link with external stop-dog system
The 4240AX was developed for applications in which fine dust makes the use of a conventional e-chain® difficult. With conventional stop systems, very fine dust can accumulate on the stop-dog and cause the radius of the e-chain® to increase over a longer period of time. This is not the case with the 4040AX and 4240AX thanks to the external stop dogs.
Advantages of AX chains: External stop-dog, no accumulation of (wood) dust on the stops, no "setting up" of the e-chain® and optimised interior space
Typical areas of application: woodworking industry, coal-fired power stations, mines and in applications with very fine dust/particles
The external stop-dog prevents dust from collecting in the stop pockets and is pushed straight back out of the chain.
Technical data: Material: igumid® G, Temperature: -40°C to +120°C, Flammability class: UL94-HB
Real-world examples
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