Save costs on the indoor crane

The new glide-chain energy chain from igus is specially developed for gliding applications and is ideal for travel distances of up to 30 meters, such as those found in indoor cranes. Its slim design ensures cost savings of 30 to 40 percent.

Energy chains made of high-performance plastics are used worldwide. Their primary function is to reliably guide cables. This can also be the case, for example, on indoor cranes used in production halls. igus has now developed a new, particularly affordable, and lightweight chain specifically for very simple gliding applications with travel distances of up to 30 meters.

The glide-chain G4.42 is characterized by its extra-large gliding surfaces and the targeted use of material, which is used exclusively where it is needed for gliding movements. This innovative design makes the G4.42 up to 25 percent lighter than standard igus chains. Another advantage of the G4.42 is the cost-optimized side section, which can be used on both the left and right sides.

Combined with the large pitch, the glide-chain consists of a few individual parts and also a few different parts. This results in a price advantage of 30 to 40 percent compared to standard chains of the same dimensions from the igus E2 and E4 range. "In times when customers are under enormous pressure to reduce their costs, we have developed a product that not only saves money but also has a long service life in use," says Christian Ziegler, Head of Product Management e-chains at igus. The new glide-chain was subjected to intensive testing in our in-house 4,000 square meter test laboratory. igus also offers a four-year warranty on all its energy chains.

Closing the loop on energy chains

But what happens when the maximum service life of an energy chain is reached? That's why igus created the "chainge" program. The recycling initiative aims to recycle used energy and drag chains in an environmentally friendly way. Regardless of the manufacturer, old plastic chains can be sent in for recycling, thus contributing to the circular economy. Program participants receive a voucher for the purchase of new igus products in return. Since the program's launch, igus has already recycled over 170 tons of plastic. The plastics specialist uses the recycled material to manufacture new energy chain series. For example, the standard E2.1 series from igus has recently been made from recycled material.