EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. –Igus® Inc. is a leading developer of plastic cable carriers to house and protect moving hoses and cables on automated machinery. Its industry-leading Energy Chain Systems® meet the needs of almost any application, large or small. The System E4/4 Energy Chain® line was developed for heavy-duty and demanding applications in harsh environments, making it an ideal solution for cranes used in port machinery, material handling and other indoor/outdoor applications.

System E4/4 is maintenance-free and an alternative to festoon and cable reel systems used on ship-to-shore cranes. The cable carrier can travel as far as 2,600 feet even with heavy loads.

Igus Energy Chains are wind and weather resistant and prevent external forces from inciting the cables to whip, swing or tangle. Using Energy Chains also eliminates the potential of the cables catching on the crane structure and causing cable or even crane damage and destruction, unlike a festoon, which has hanging cable loops. Furthermore, with an igus Energy Chain, a cable loop station is obsolete, opening up considerable space and enabling a crane trolley and spreader to lift up and deposit containers over the entire length of the crane bridge.

Igus Energy Chain Systems are installed on port machines worldwide, including ship-to-shore cranes, RTGs, RMGs, bulk-handling equipment, indoor cranes, shipyard cranes, man lifts, reach stackers and spreaders. Many of these applications took advantage of igus’ ReadyChain system, a complete preassembled harnessed system with cable carrier, cables, strain relief, connectors and all accessories.

The side links of the System E4/4 Energy Chain are designed to create an overlapping multipurpose grip. The snug mesh of the links increases stability for greater side loads, and the smooth contour seals out dirt, ice, snow and other debris. The E4/4 also can withstand 50 percent greater push-pull forces than the next comparable Energy Chain design, enabling longer travels.

All igus Energy Chains are the perfect partner for the company’s Chainflex® continuous-flex cables. Specially designed for high-flex applications, Chainflex cables deliver a longer service life and eliminate corkscrewing and insulation damage.