The evolution of the igus® rol e-chain®

The rolling energy chain for long distances and heavy duty

The roller energy chain has been the tried-and-tested energy supply system for long travel distances for around 20 years. In addition to the successful design that characterises all our linear energy chain systems, we have added stainless steel rollers that upgrade the energy chain to an energy supply for heavy-duty applications. Because the energy chain rolls and does not slide, it runs quietly and with low vibration. Wear is considerably less than with a version without rollers and the force required for movement is also up to 57 % less.

More about the latest generation

Continuous improvement of the igus® rollers e-chain® for long travel distances for over 20 years

1999 - The revolution

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

2004 - The evolution

The integrated e-chain® 4040RHD heavy-duty e-chain® castors in use on an STS crane. The "HD version" of the e-chain® castors is becoming the standard for STS crane applications and ship unloaders/loaders with long travel distances and high speeds, worldwide.

2008 - The innovation

The split roller e-chain® P4 complements the roller e-chain® family programme for applications with very high speeds (<240 m/min.) and systems where particular attention is paid to noise levels. Application: Worldwide on STS crane systems, ASC cranes etc.

2018 - the expansion

The smart roller e-chain® P4.1 replaces the P4 and becomes the endurance runner. The P4.1 enables the main power and data supply for ASC cranes at very high speeds (<300 m/min.). Application: Worldwide on STS crane systems, ASC cranes, etc.

The most exciting projects with igus® e-chain rollers®

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

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 is 550m.

Conveyor system in a mine

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

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

Slab handling crane

Pre-assembled energy supply in hot, dusty environments
Based on the special requirements for the energy chain and cable in the slab transport crane at BANG Kranksysteme GmbH & Co. KG, the igus® technicians recommended a roller energy chain. This was designed and supplied as a pre-assembled readychain® Basic System type 5050RHD.

Slab handling crane

Ship-to-shore crane

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

Ship-to-shore crane

The evolutionary comparison of the e-chain roles®

E400R series

1999
Rollers in the e-chain® 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, especially on longer travel distances of more than 100 metres, which led to the success of the e-chain® rollers from igus®.

4040RHD series

2004
In the second expansion stage of the e-chain roller®, the chain was reinforced at all key points. In this "Heavy Duty version", the pin/bore connection in particular has been increased by 100 % and the stop surfaces by more than 30 %. This doubles the expected service life compared to the previous series.

4040RHD series

P4 system

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

P4.1 system

2018
In the latest expansion stage of the igus® e-chain® rollers, the service life is once again significantly increased through the use of maintenance-free tribopolymer plain bearings in the connection of the e-chain link. These can also be optionally equipped with the i.Sense condition monitoring system in order to reliably predict the service life expectancy of the system. Compared to the first e-chain® rollers, the service life expectancy has more than tripled.

P4.1 rol e-chain

Robust and smart - How digitally networked energy chain boosts 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 mileages of over 375,000 km on its STS cranes with igus® chains for cranes®.

Go to the PDF download

Reliability even over long distances ... with chainflex® cable from igus®
Largest range with 1,354 cable types for motor, data, bus and hybrid systems, and much more. Specially developed for moving applications in e-chain®.

CFCRANE.PUR motor cable

The "special"-cable at the standard rate

For the highest voltages and outputs
flame-retardant
UV- & oil-resistant

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DNV-GL and NEK cables

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 pipe types

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CF310.UL single-core cable

Utilise various savings potentials with single cores

1st advantage: Reduced installation space
2. advantage: cost reduction
3. advantage: longer service life

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More information

Brochure

"The evolution of e-chain roles®" (PDF)

Download now!

igus system guarantee

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