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Plug-in e-chain®: make your energy chain ready to plug and play

Plug-in e-chain and readychain with micro-speed connectors as a mounting overview.

What is a plug-in e-chain? What distinguishes it from a readychain®? ...
The plug-in e-chain is a new evolutionary stage of the familiar readychain® variants. The cables are fully connected on both sides and the connectors are integrated. This means that the entire readychain® is designed as a plug-in assembly. The counterpart, an add-on housing with socket, can be flange-mounted to a machine housing, for example.

...plugged in in seconds...
With a plug-in e-chain, installing your energy supply is child's play. The connectors attached to the mounting bracket of the chain ensure quick and easy installation in the application. These ready-to-install assemblies can save up to 80% installation time. The plug-in principle enables quick replacement - like the power cable of a laptop - without tools, without expertise, without technicians. Faults are also ruled out thanks to absolute "concealment safety".

...100% customised!
The required connectors, housing and connections can be planned individually, making every plug-in e-chain a customised product. You receive an interface solution that is 100% customised to your application and replaces the previous configuration of different individual parts. Feel free to challenge us and show us your most complicated connection, because innovations are born out of challenges, such as the readychain® micro-speed shown here.

Request pluggable harnessing

Your benefits at a glance

Tech up

  • Simplest fastening in your application
  • Integrated strain relief and seal

Cost down

  • Save 80% assembly time
  • Optimised ready-to-install assemblies
  • For service: unplug it, plug it back in, done

Proof

  • cost-effective interface solution: one connector instead of many connectors
  • Almost infinite combinations
  • Absolute plug-in safety

Sustainability

  • Existing igus® cable carrier systems can be supplemented with customised configurations

Quick and easy installation

We have developed the Module Connect adapter for this purpose

Wherever fast response times are required in the event of a fault, for example, the plug-in e-chain with the Module Connect adapter can ensure that the energy supply is connected quickly, thus avoiding long downtimes.

For example, in an automated parking system where the customer drops off their car for parking. The car is weighed and measured by the system and then automatically driven to a suitable parking position. If a cable break in the e-chain® or a leak in the pneumatic hose brings the system to a standstill, any service employee should be able to disconnect the defective energy chain and connect a new, pre-assembled energy chain. The adapter makes this quick and easy - without the need for basic electronic knowledge.

However, the Module Connect adapter is not only used in automatic parking systems and ensures fast maintenance, but also in production or pharmacy systems and wherever energy supplies need to be plugged in.

Module Connect adapter - for easy connection of the energy chain
igus cable carrier with German Design Award Winner 2021 recognition.

German Design Winner 2021: The Module Connect adapter

Modular connector for energy chain - Module Connect

Connect your energy supply with just ONE connector

The connector modules can be adapted to the filling and geometry of the e-chain® in one or more layers. This enables optimal cabling in terms of function and design for every application.

In combination with the universal strain relief from igus®, secure fastening directly in the connector housing is possible. The soft elements used enclose the cable and hold it securely in place without damaging it. Visually modelled on honeycombs, the flexible structure adapts to different cable diameters, creating a universal strain relief.

There are many possible applications for the Module Connect, such as at the chain-fixed end or moving end, between two e-chains® or for inserting cables into terminal boxes or control cabinets.

Learn all about Module Connect here

Application examples with readychain®

Unique supply system enables safe and reliable energy supply

The heart of the MULTISPRINT multi-spindle lathe is the spindle drum with six spindles for simultaneous machining of several workpieces. The drum moves the workpieces to the tools quickly and very precisely. For spindles to return to the starting position after machining has been completed in the six stations, the drum has to turn 300 degrees in reverse. The biggest challenge: a safe energy supply system for all six spindles.

Multi-spindle lathe
Cable system on a lathe with energy chains and guided hoses.

Minutes instead of days: complete solution from igus reduces the assembly time of machining centres

In its robotic machining centres, Taiwanese tool manufacturer Hartford uses fully harnessed energy chain systems from igus.
This makes it possible to cut out many work steps and thus reduce the assembly time from several weeks to a mere half a day. At the same time, customers can always depend on receiving a safe and reliable solution from one source when they order readychain systems from igus.

Two workers install a cable carrier system in the machine room.

Automatic handling of medication: harnessed energy chains ensure 20,000 movements per day

Modular automatic medication picking systems are used for the fast storage and retrieval of medicines in chemists, hospitals or care homes and can be adapted to almost all spatial conditions on site. They must be compact and modular in order to enable problem-free extension and a reliable supply.
The readychain systems can be ideally adapted to circumstances and spatial conditions.

Energy chains in a picking system with 20,000 movements a day
Automated transport system with cable carrier on a machine.

3,000 shore power connections per year with flexible energy supply systems

The Mongstad offshore base is one of the most frequently used bases in Norway. The ships change twice a day in order to be loaded with equipment for the offshore platforms in the North Sea. The base works around the clock.
A reliable, robust and flexible shore power supply system from igus® is therefore used. A harnessed e-spool is integrated in a three-metre long container that can be handled by forklifts to position the system along the various berths.

Shore power connections
Shore power connection at the ship with a power container and cables on the quay.

Applications with readychain systems

Where the automation of machines and industrial plant is concerned, there is a whole series of different reasons to decide in favour of pre-assembled energy supply systems.
Manufacturing costs decrease, sources of errors are practically excluded. Less project planning work is needed whereas reliability increases. Possible areas of use are in assembly/installation engineering and handling technology, in conveyor technology or in mechanical engineering.

Go to overview
igus cable carrier with guided cables on a machine.

igus readychain & HARTING components

What makes this partnership so special?
The readychain® production of igus® can fully utilise its strengths with HARTING as a supplier and design-in partner. Quality, throughput, productivity and therefore also the price are clearly in favour of industrial cable assembly at igus®. If you combine this machine processing with specialised assembly areas and Kanban warehouses, you get the incomparable flexibility of igus® readychain®:

  • Ready to connect directly from the cable manufacturer
  • In the desired length: accurate to the centimetre with no minimum order value
  • Customised assembly is part of our daily business
Ready-to-install cables and guide systems with HARTING

Good reasons for a plug-in e-chain from igus

readychain components with arrow to the assembled energy chain.

There are a number of reasons to opt for pre-assembled energy supply systems in the production of machines and systems:

  • Assembly time is reduced by up to 95
  • Reduction in manufacturing costs
  • Minimised logistics costs - no storage space required
  • Procurement optimisation - one system, one part number
  • Reduce assembly time - less machine downtime
  • Assembly on site - international service with 35 branches
  • Customised products possible - igus® develops additional components
Readychain pen box with a pen and packaging insert.

Order the sample box free of charge

Ready-to-install instead of individual parts - no company needs to worry about assembling energy chains and cables for their machines. With our readychain® system, we supply customised, preassembled energy supply systems that are easy to install on site in a final step.

Order free of charge
igus chainflex cable carriers in an industrial facility.

The largest test lab worldwide

Over 15,000 tests per year have resulted in what is probably the world's largest test database. This database enables us to always select the right product for your specific application. Customised tests for your industry are also possible.

Test laboratory
ReadyChain with guided cables and connectors for industrial applications.

Ready-to-connect energy supply systems

Do you need a complete, customised cable carrier system? 
From the procurement of all necessary components to the assembly of the ready-to-install system, we take care of the entire procurement logistics. Save up to 95% on assembly time!

Go to readychain overview

Consulting

I look forward to answering your questions

Hennlich, d.o.o.+386 4 532 06 15Write e-mail

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