Unsupported applications for short travels

What does "unsupported length" mean?

If the upper run of the energy chain does not touch the lower run over the entire travel distance, we speak of a self-supporting application. The unsupported length unsupported with straight upper run is the distance between the moving end and the start of the radius arc of the energy chain at which the upper run of the energy supply has no significant sag. The energy chain therefore offers the Longest service life. The unsupported application is the most common use of energy chain.

10 tips for long-lasting energy supply in "unsupported" applications

You are interested in an energy chain to guide cables and hoses in machines and plants safely and in an economic way? Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of your investment.

From the contents:

Minimum length to maximum travel
Acceleration, travel speed and cycle frequency
Clearance space within the energy chain
Accessories

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The unsupported length has three distinct stages:

Unsupported length - Straight unsupported with straight upper run:
The energy chain has a pretension or is straight.
Unsupported length - with sag unsupported with permitted sag:
The energy chain has a sag of more than half an e-chain® height sag.
Critical sag:
The sag is higher than the permitted value for unsupported with permitted sag. Installation with critical sag must be avoided.

Use the load diagram to check the standard values for unsupported lengths

The values in the load diagram are important so that you can find a suitable energy chain for your filling weight and travel distance and determine the maximum load for the selected energy chain.

The black line in the load diagram indicates the area of the unsupported lengthFLG in which the energy chain has no slack. If the travel distance or the cable weight increases, the energy chain begins to sagFLB (light grey curve).

Y Axis	X Axis	S
Fill weight [kg/m]	Unsupported length [m]	Travel [m]
1.5	2.0	4.0

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Preferred series for unsupported applications

What to do if the unsupported length is not sufficient?

If your application (fill weight, travel) falls outside the unsupported length range of the desired energy chain, you have the following options:

Select a more stable energy chain
Support the energy chain in the unsupported range. This option results in restrictions in terms of acceleration, speed and noise. Three basic examples are shown in the graph below. Please contact us if you are considering this option. We will be happy to make you a detailed proposal
Use a multiband e-chain® or place two energy chains inside each other. (Please contact us)
Designing the travel as a gliding application

Supports in the unsupported area unsupported with straight upper run and unsupported with permitted sag

A: The total unsupported straight travel can be max. 50 % of unsupported with straight upper run can be extended.

B: The total travel unsupported straight can be max. 100 % of unsupported with straight upper run.

C: The total travel unsupported straight can be max. 100 % of unsupported with permitted sag can be extended.

The influence of speed and acceleration on service life

In unsupported applications, the acceleration (a) is the critical factor rather than the travelling speed (v). High accelerations can cause the energy chain to vibrate and impair the service life. This is particularly the case if the energy chain already has a sag greater than FLG . Maximum values for speed (v), acceleration (a) and service life can only be achieved with energy chains that are designed unsupported straight FLG. In this case, however, igus® e-chain systems can withstand very high loads. A peak value of 784 m/s2 acceleration has been achieved so far in continuous use.