Plastic energy chain systems

What is an energy chain?

An energy chain (also called energy supply systems, drag chains and cable carriers) are mechanical machine elements used to guide and protect energy, data, signals and fluids together in one system, whilst withstanding the most diverse environmental conditions.

Our energy supply systems work best when all elements - cables, hoses, interior separation elements, strain relief devices and guide troughs – are designed to work together. At igus® we optimise the design and materials of all these elements to offer the longest possible service life – guaranteed.

Download the energy chain catalogue here

Would you like more information about e-chains® or an individual consultation? Our experts will be happy to get in touch with you.

energy chain configurator

Configure complete energy chain supply systems for short or long travel as well as for hanging applications.

To the energy chain configurator

3D CAD portal

Quickly design your energy chain system to build into your CAD model. Supports a variety of formats and systems.

3D CAD portal

Small energy chains

Inner heights: 5 – 32mm

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Medium-sized energy chains

Inner heights: 21 – 48mm

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Large energy chains

Inner heights: 21 – 350mm

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energy chains for robots

Inner diameter: 12 – 46.8mm

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Protection against dust and swarf

Energy chains for protection against dirt and swarf

Inner heights: 21 – 75mm

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Low noise and vibration

Inner heights: 10 – 80mm

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Clean room energy supply systems

Cleanroom energy tube: 28–40mm

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e-spool® alternative to a cable reel

Cable drums without slip rings

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Special solutions & accessories

Troughs, service loops, PMA hoses.

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Selected application examples

Our energy chains are modular and therefore can be used for a large number of different applications.

Energy chains in the area of medicine handling

Automatic medicine handling

20,000 movements each day and still fit

"For economic and technical reasons we have chosen to use exclusively standard products from igus. In this way, the necessary changes can be simply made when systems are expanded, for example."

Engine factory

smart plastics in use

A finished engine every 14 seconds. This only works with a great degree of automation. Our smart plastics help to make it possible to monitor the plant in Austria.

Predictive maintenance: smart plastics

Riveting of aircraft fuselages with energy chains

Riveting aircraft fuselages

Energy chains performing complex movements

Here, two robots were equipped with a wide range of guided cables and hoses involving a complex geometric design. The dust generated here can be extracted directly.

Robot end effector

Lignite excavator with energy chains from igus®

Brown coal excavator – conveyor unit

Energy chains with a length of 615m

As long as six football pitches: here, the world's longest chain from igus has already been in use for ten years. With a PPDS early warning system for any faults that may occur.

Energy chain for stackers on 615m travel without failure for 10 years

Further examples of energy chain applications

Here you will find an overview of further successful customer applications.

Energy chains applications

Frequently asked questions regarding energy chains

What benefits do energy chains offer?

Energy chains enforce a minimum bend radius for the cables and hoses they protect and offer physical protection around them. The biggest benefit is that different services can be run side by side together in the same system e.g hydraulics, power cables, data cables, fibre optic cables, fluids etc. This makes them flexible and versatile, even allowing easy and cheap cable upgrades during the system life. By being passive (i.e. being pulled and pushed by the machine), they need no extra power or drive system and being made from low friction plastics they are therefore corrosion resistant and virtually maintenance-free.

How many cables fit into an energy chain?

The number of cables that can be fitted into an energy chain is virtually limitless. Since we offer a full range of internal separation solutions, this can be done safely and to meet almost any layout required. The huge benefit of energy chains is that almost any combination of cables and hoses can be run in the same system, something that cannot be said of alternative technologies like busbars and festoons.

Where can energy chains be used?

Energy chains can be used anywhere and everywhere! From electronics pick-and-place machines, to car washes, from theatre lighting cable management to nuclear decommissioning cranes, from underwater turbines to offshore oil platform skidding. Anywhere where cables and hoses are moved.