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Energy chain and bearing for amusement rides
Safe movement, less maintenance
Whether it's a fast-paced ride on the elevated chain carousel, looping on the roller coaster or spooky fun on a ghost train, the technology used is subject to very high safety standards and therefore places the highest demands on all the components installed. Our energy chain systems and bearing technology are just right: absolutely reliable thanks to a predictable, long service life, low maintenance, robust and quiet. No minimum order quantity. And if, e.g. themed attractions with decorations and animatronics need to be completely customised, special parts made of high-performance polymers in 3D printing have comparable specifications and can be configured and ordered online with just a few clicks.
Ferris wheels
Our maintenance-free igutex heavy-duty bearings are the right choice for the suspension of Ferris wheel gondolas. Consisting of a robust glass fibre fabric and an inner layer optimised for sliding properties, they are our specialists for high loads. For the door mechanisms in the gondolas, we recommend iglidur J plain bearings, drylin ZLW linear drives and energy chains from the E2.1 series.
Vertical lifts
Vertical lifts are often used on water rides and roller coasters to transport the cars. E.4 series energy chains, for example the E4.56, are used to supply the lift with energy, together with the vertical flizz system with matching chainflex cables.
If the entire lift or part of the track for a switch rotates, cables must be guided in the rotary movement. Our reverse bend radius systems, which enable uninterrupted cable guidance with up to 600 degrees of rotation, are suitable for this application.
Elevated rides
On elevated rides, the cables for drives and lighting must be guided upwards to ensure unrestricted enjoyment of the ride. This is possible safely and without interruption using our energy chains and a suitable trough. Just as with lifts in roller coasters, e-chains from the E.4 series, such as the E4.56 and the vertical flizz system, can be used as guidance with matching chainflex cables.
Giant swings
Even in giant swings or classic boat swings, a wide variety of media must be guided safely in the gondola. Our reverse bend radius systems are ideal for rides that do not roll over. The cables are guided here without interruption and there is no need for a fault-prone slip ring that requires maintenance. The SRM-V or PRM-V modules with the appropriate chainflex cables are used for the vertical movement.
In hydraulic cylinders that are used to get the ride upright and ready for operation, there are numerous bearing points that are exposed to high loads. Our fibre composite bearings made of the materials igutex TX1, TX2 or TX3 as well as bearings made of iglidur Q3E are the right choice here.
Roller coaster switches and transfer tracks
Large roller coasters have transfer tracks to transport the roller coaster trains to parking or maintenance positions. Our e-chains from the E4.1 or E4.Q series with matching trough systems and chainflex cables are suitable for supplying the energy on transfer tracks.
Success story
Roller coaster from Six Flags with maintenance-free bearings
The operator of the Six Flags amusement park chain relies on plain bearings made of the material iglidur Z, which have led to a considerable reduction in costs here. The reason: Maintenance work could be completely dispensed with during the season. With the dry-operating plain bearings made of high-performance plastic, there is no need to check the mounts and shafts or to relubricate them. Another plus: The bearings save a lot of weight.
Roller coaster car
Plain bearings made of the material iglidur Z are ideal for mounting safety bars. It enables maximum service life under extreme conditions and is also a good choice for bearing points on the wheel mounts of roller coasters.
Entrance areas
Our lubrication-free plain bearings are used in the entrance areas of amusement rides, for example, on automatic doors of luggage storage lockers, where iglidur G or iglidur J bearings are ideal. Our igubal pillow block bearings are used on automatic gates.
Success story
Pre-assembled energy supply system for gondola lift
The Trier-based lift manufacturer Baasch & Didong GmbH was looking for a solution that would reliably move all the cables during continuous operation - even when the gondola rotates 180 degrees when it is lifted. Further challenges for the material: Absolute reliability under constant UV radiation, extreme heat, frost, rain and splash water. With an E4/4-energy chain, a strong solution was found for continuous use. And as a completely pre-assembled readychain, quick and cost-effective installation and simple dismantling at a later date are guaranteed.
Simulators
Simulators can tilt in any direction and therefore require a three-dimensional, flexible cable guidance system. For this purpose, we offer our triflex energy chain systems with the appropriate twistable cables. In electric or hydraulic cylinders, which are responsible for tilting and tipping the ride, we recommend our plain bearings made of the materials iglidur QE3, Z or P. They are impressive with a long service life under high loads and are cost-effective.
Our self-aligning igubal spherical bearings and dryspin lead screw technology are used in joysticks.
Success stories
Better joystick feel with dryspin lead screw technology
A dryspin zero-backlash lead screw nut with matching lead screw is used in the control system of Brunner's flight simulator joystick. Compared to the metal ball screws previously used, the overall behaviour of the drive has improved significantly: The control system is now more precise and sensitive, the feel is better thanks to the minimised clearance of the lead screw nut and the vibration-free operating characteristics. And thanks to the dry-running plastic material, everything runs cleanly without the need for maintenance.
Racing simulator moves reliably with igus bearing technology and e-chains
In the racing simulator from Greaves 3D Engineering, 45 igus products ensure perfect movement of the seat and the four monitors. drylin linear and drive modules, iglidur slide bearings, xiros ball bearings and tribo-tape sliding liners are used. Linear e-chains that can move in three dimensions ensure complete cable management.
We have been an IAAPA member since 2023
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