Energy chain systems instead of motor cable drums

Save costs on long travels with energy chain systems

For long travels - for example in the bulk goods or crane industry - the so-called
motorised cable drums or cable drums can be used as the energy supply. Their
assembly is relatively simple and they usually do not require a guide trough,
to hold the cable in the required track.
As an alternative to motorised cable drums, igus - manufacturer of components made of high-performance polymers - offers complete energy chain systems,
which are particularly advantageous over long travels.

White paper: energy chains vs. motor cable drums

The advantages and disadvantages of two industrial energy supply systems

Whenever design engineers have to guide hoses and power and data cables in moving applications with long travels (more than 100 metres), the question arises of which energy supply system is the most efficient, especially considering such factors as reliability, maintainability, and future security? A motor cable drum? Or an energy chain? The advantages and disadvantages of the two systems are explored here.

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What is the difference between motorised cable drums and energy chain systems?

Energy chains systems

Large product selection
Many different types of movement possible
High requirements regarding service life where dynamic loads are very high
Ready-to-install harnessed energy supplies
Innovative products that can be assembled very quickly
Energy and data and media safely guided in one system
Travel up to 1,000 metres
Online tools for calculating service life

Motorised cable drums

Slip ring and motor for energy transmission
Cost-effective for simple and short travels
Easy transport and assembly
Easy change of location
Diameter of the drum up to 8 metres

Why are energy chain systems best suited for long travels?

No slip ring required

Energy chain systems have no slip ring, which is the reason it is also possible to transmit media such as air, water and oil without interruption.

Motor / Control system

Energy chain systems do not require their own drive, they are simply attached to the moving part of the system and carried along.

All in one system

Various cables and hoses for energy, data and media can be safely managed in one system and individually replaced or supplemented if necessary.

Space-saving

Depending on the travel/cable length, a motor cable drum has a diameter of up to 8 metres. In addition, space is required for the motor and the slip ring body. In the case of an energy chain system, irrespective of the travel, only one moving arm is required on the crane - which is integrated in the installation space of the crane - and the installation space for the trough of the chain on the ground.

Dynamics

A motor cable drum can be moved at a speed of approx. 300m/min. For the first few metres, the pace must be reduced for safe rolling. For medium feed, this means that the system must be braked and accelerated halfway. With an energy chain system, travel speeds of up to 600m/min are an option, and this is possible fully without any restrictions on the loads or speeds at start-up.

Cable length

In medium feed, half the travel length plus 20 metres reserve must be calculated as the cable length for motorised cable drums. In energy chain systems, one also calculates with half the travel length, but with only two metres in addition, which are needed for the radius of the chain. At higher travel speeds (over 60m/min), however, end feed is recommended for motor cable drums. This increases the cable length to the total travel length plus 20 metres reserve.

Download now white paper "energy chains vs. motor cable drums"

Real-world examples

Coal power station

Record-breaking application running for ten years with 100% reliability

Rolling energy chains from igus are used in the Czech lignite power plant. The travel is 615 metres and has been in operation for ten years without failure.

The longest travel with plastic energy chain

Cranes

Effective energy and data transmission in crane construction

Ready harnessed energy chain systems are used in crane construction and save a great deal of time during installation, and assembly errors are ruled out to a large extent. Expensive shut-downs and thus downtime can be avoided with igus energy chain systems.

Energy chains systems in crane construction

How do I find the right energy chain system?

The selection of energy chain systems is huge. In order to find the right solution for your application, we request you
to fill in the form with some basic information. You will then be advised by
one of our experts.

Fill in here!