Temperatures, oil, abrasive powders: energy chains for ROMI machining centres

• What was needed: E2/00 series chains, E4.1L series chain, chainflex®-cable
• Requirements: reliable energy supply for machining centre, high travel speed, small installation space, easy maintenance, components resistant to high temperatures, oils and grinding powders
• Industry: Machine tool manufacturing
• Success for the customer: Pre-assembled readychain® systems reduce assembly time and simplify maintenance

ROMI's portfolio currently consists of various machine tools such as turning centres, CNC machining centres and milling machines. Customers come from a wide variety of sectors, such as aerospace engineering, agricultural machinery, the automotive industry and consumer goods production.
With the new machining centre "ROMI DCM 620-5X Hybrid Vertical", which was launched in Brazil for the first time in 2017, ROMI is pursuing the goal of meeting the Brazilian industry's demand for solutions that increase productivity and efficiency. The system combines machining processes and additive manufacturing (3D metal printing) and allows different materials to be added to complex profiles.
The particular challenge in the application: The energy supply system must be able to cope with the demanding movements, high travelling speeds, a high number of cycles and impacts and friction on a wide variety of surfaces. And all this in combination with a limited installation space. The designers at ROMI were therefore looking for an energy supply system that could cope with the high loads in the system over a long period of time. Finally, the constant contact with oils and grinding powders in the machining and coating area of the system, as well as the high temperatures, are also factors that mean an additional load for the future components.

Two e-chain® from igus® are used in the machining and coating area of the system. They work reliably despite the contact with oils and grinding powders as well as the high temperatures. They ensure the safe guidance of the chainflex® cables, which are specially designed for moving applications.
In the ROMI GL240 gantry loader, e-chain systems from igus® also ensure safe cable management. This application is an automation system for loading and unloading workpieces in ROMI machining centres. These are characterised by high travel speeds in combination with a limited installation space. The customer therefore decided in favour of the E2/000 series energy chain, which has high stability and a crossbar that can be opened on both sides. This makes it easier to insert or replace the internal cables, which significantly simplifies and shortens assembly and maintenance.
The machine tool manufacturer also uses energy chains from igus® in the latest generation of its vertical machining centres, ROMI D. They are used for the movement of the X, Y and Z axes. Various energy chains from the E2 family guide cables and hoses in the X and Y axes of the systems. In addition, an E4.1L series chain is used on the Z-axis. It combines stability and easy accessibility. Rounded edges on the opening and separating bars of the chain also ensure a long service life for the hose and cable. The crossbars are also easy to open and swivel open, which significantly reduces assembly time.