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Improve energy efficiency with igus® energy chain and cable

Reduce energy consumption by up to 57% with energy-efficient energy chains and cables

Electricity prices are rising, which is why saving energy is on the agenda. This applies to entire production lines, individual machines or components such as energy chains and cables. Energy chain systems not only transport energy, data and media to machines and systems, but also influence their energy costs. How much push-pull force, i.e. drive power, is required to move an energy chain at a given speed? How light but stable must the energy chain be designed so that as little energy as possible is consumed and the smallest possible motors including drive control, frequency converters and mechanics are sufficient? plastic-energy chain and chainflex® cable help to design and operate machines in an energy-efficient and cost-effective manner.

LOW FRICTION: Friction reduced by 75 %. Up to 57 % less drive power.

LIGHT: Weight reduction of up to 48 % can be realised.

STABLE: 10 years and longer with up to 4 years warranty.

Save energy with energy chain

Energy chains can be used to safely guide cables and hoses for energy, data and hydraulics in industrial systems. As a rule, in a sliding energy supply, the upper run of an energy chain slides on the lower run. This is not a problem over short distances, as the energy chains from igus® enable low-friction running. For longer travel distances of over 100 metres and high filling weights of up to 100 kg/m, the coefficient of friction and therefore also the energy consumption increase. The solution: With roller energy chains, friction can be reduced by up to 75 % and therefore 57 % less drive power.

Bar chart comparing energy efficiency for System P4, Rol E-Chain, System E4.1, chainflex and Standard.
Bar chart comparing energy efficiency for System P4, Rol E-Chain, System E4.1, chainflex and Standard.

Example: The friction loss can be reduced with roller energy chains. The coefficient of friction for a sliding application is approx. µ 0.3. By using rollers on an energy chain, this coefficient of friction can be reduced to approx. µ 0.1. Up to 37 % drive power can be reduced.

Ptotal 0.43 ≙ - 57 %: smaller/more stable e-chain®, rolling, optimised cable quality
Ptotal 0.63 ≙ - 37 %: Roller energy chain, rolling movement instead of sliding
Ptotal 0.83 ≙ - 17 %: smaller e-chain®, better/more stable design
Ptotal 0.83 ≙ - 17 %: lighter cable, better insulation / sheath materials
P1 ≙ - starting point 100 %: Standard e-chain®, gliding application

Energy-saving energy chain

Roller energy chain P4

  • Up to 57 % less drive power
  • Long travel distances up to 800 m
  • Additional loads up to 30 kg/m

To the calculation

To the product
ECS cable carrier with a sensor on the lower section.

Rolling motion instead of sliding

  • Up to 37 % less drive power
  • Travel distances of over 400 metres
  • Additional loads up to 50 kg/m

To the calculation

To the product
iglidur sliding elements in an energy chain with several connected segments.

Smaller energy chain

  • Up to 17 % less drive power
  • Smaller dimensions, more stable and lighter
  • Travel distances over 200 m

To the calculation

To the product

Energy-saving cable chainflex®

chainflex® cables especially for energy chains can also directly help to reduce energy consumption. According to igus® tests, high-quality jackets and insulating materials - depending on the cross section and cable combinations - can conservatively save between 5 and 30 per cent in weight. As a result, the power requirement of the drives can be reduced by 17 per cent. View calculations now.

igus chainflex CF9.UL cable in a cable carrier system.

CF9 control cable

  • Up to 17 % less drive power
  • For the highest loads
  • TPE-outer jacket
To the product
Chainflex CF34UL cable with multi-coloured insulated conductors.

motor cable CF34.UL.D

  • Up to 17 % less drive power
  • For very high loads
  • TPE-outer jacket
To the product
Chainflex cable with orange sheath and printed designation.

Servo cable CF270.UL.D

  • Up to 17 % less drive power
  • For medium loads
  • PUR-outer jacket
To the product

Discover the benefits of trusting igus® energy chains for your energy supply needs.

Test laboratory in a factory hall with conveyor systems and large cable carriers.

Tested in the igus® laboratory

In the largest test laboratory in the industry, over 10 billion test cycles per year are carried out with energy chain and chainflex® cable at a total of 180 test stations.

Further information on the igus® test laboratory
Guarantee for igus Products: up to 4 years guarantee.

Warranty on energy chain

The results of these tests are also the basis for the service life expectancy values that we specify in the online configurators or determine for you. This is why we can offer a guarantee of up to 4 years on all energy chains.

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igus energy chain shown as a recycling symbol with the text “the chainge”.

Recycling programme

Have used plastic drag and energy chains recycled instead of simply disposing of them with other products in industrial waste. We accept all energy chains, including those from other manufacturers.

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Contact us

Contact details

Seán Ryan
Seán Ryan086 0329555Submit form

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