Space saving energy chain for indoor crane

• What was needed: autoglide 5 energy chain
• Requirements: An exceptionally space-saving energy supply solution had to be found to supply a trolley
• Area of application: Cranes
• Success for the customer: The autoglide 5 energy chain completely dispenses with the guide trough and relies on a space-saving steel cable guide. Despite a well-filled energy chain, the safety distance to the travelling trolley could be maintained - to the satisfaction of the customer.

The energy chains that BANG requested from igus were actually supposed to be "completely normal" ones. The BANG engineers working for ZSB Zwickauer Sonderstahlbau GmbH had planned a project for two identical cranes for steel plate handling. The 22.5m bridges, each with a 12.5t hoist, were to be equipped with a component kit (drives, wire rope, energy supply) from a German manufacturer.
For one of the two cranes, however, the energy supply that was part of the standard package could not be used. This crane can also use an electromagnet instead of the hook if necessary. Therefore, a stronger power supply up to the load handling attachment is required here and thus also a larger energy chain. The trolley's primary power supply alone requires five individual cores with a cross section of four square millimetres. At the same time, this resulted in a space problem: for example, a safety distance to the moving trolley had to be maintained on the upper belt and crushing edges had to be avoided.
It was precisely this challenge that BANG had asked us about. At that time, our industry manager for cranes had a conversation with BANG and mentioned a new development: the autogilde 5 energy chain. Two days later, BANG modified its request to read "Please send us a quotation for the autoglide 5 - we need all the space we can get."

The autoglide 5 energy chain was developed for such applications. To save as much space as possible, the guide trough is replaced by a cable that is tensioned on the substructure. The cable engages in additional guide elements on the chain, ensuring that the chain is reliably guided.
The autoglide 5 was developed for indoor cranes and storage and retrieval machines with travels of up to 80 metres. Users of this system save space, installation time and costs. This is why the new energy supply immediately met with interest not only at BANG, but also among users looking for a low-wear alternative to the busbar system.
In order to be able to use the autoglide 5 for this project, however, a special solution had to be realised: with the autoglide 5, an end-fixed is standard. However, as two separately travelling trolleys had to be supplied with power and signals, two reverse chains with a common guide were required. This small challenge was solved with a customised fixed end bridge that we manufactured using 3D printing - the first autoglide 5 with twin-opposing.
The two cranes have now been installed in the new building of ZSB Zwickauer Sonderstahlbau GmbH and the customer is happy. Peter Knösel, Director of Project Management and Sales: "We are very satisfied with both the cranes and the project process, and the new trough-free energy chain is also proving its worth."