Igus has commissioned a new test facility for energy chains on the outdoor area of its test laboratory in Cologne. The system is designed for high speeds and long travel distances.

                     Travel distances of up to 1000 m can be simulated on the automated test facility. (Photo: Igus)

The outdoor area of the Igus lab is designed for energy chain testing , according to the company . Up to now, it has been possible to simulate travel distances of 400 m over a distance of 200 m with process speeds of up to 8 m / s. The new system creates additional units of travel of a maximum of 1000 m. The system also works fully automatically. Various factors such as acceleration and speed are taken into account. In addition, the mechanical loads of the transfer vehicle and environmental influences act on the chains during the tests.

Over 10 billion test cycles per year

The entire laboratory of Igus in Cologne Porz-Lind covers 3800 m². According to the company, more than 10 billion test cycles per year are simulated with energy chains and "Chainflex" cables at 180 test stations. 4100 chain system tests would be conducted there annually. The fact that energy chains reliably transport data and energy over long distances is important for operators of wastewater treatment plants, waste incineration plants, cranes, power plants or mines, according to Igus. The company wants to ensure that these requirements are met through laboratory testing.

With the chain systems distances of up to 1000 m can be mastered, a filling weight of 50 kg / m is possible. For example, with the roller energy chain "P4", rolling friction is reduced by rollers integrated in the chain link. The rollers are mounted offset and do not move over each other, but past each other. The coefficient of friction and the drive power should be reduced by 57%. To extend the life of the systems, Igus uses, among other things, special "tribo-polymers".