Guiding Energy along Travel Distances up to 80 m

The autoglide 5 energy chain system from igus has been specially designed for the horizontal runs in the intralogistics and crane sectors. The system is easy to install, because it does not have a guide channel, it is quick to clean, and it does not require maintenance. It is therefore a valid alternative to busbars, which are subject to wear and tear.

Many users rely on busbar systems for power and data transmission in tight, compact spaces and for fast lane movements, for example, in storage and retrieval units. Their major disadvantage is that they are expensive to maintain, they can only be used for power transmission as standard and must be cleaned regularly to avoid contact faults. igus has developed the autoglide 5 to be able to safely guide horizontal cables at speeds of up to 4 m/s and up to 80 m travel distance even without a trough. The autoglide 5 can easily be installed in the aisle on a rope or a profile. Among the advantages is the installation time, which is reduced by 88% compared to systems with a guide channel. Another advantage is that it requires no maintenance. This system can be a valid alternative to the busbar system.

Guide energy and data safely even without a trough

To install the autoglide 5, the intralogistics technician only needs the supplied metal rope, which he stretches on the aisle floor. Alternatively, guidance via a plastic rope or a profile is also possible. The e-chain can travel safely on the rope, because the igus developers have come up with a special guide concept. The underside of the chain links has a guide element in the middle, so that the energy chain can rest safely on the rope.
For wear-resistant and precise gliding of the upper run of the chain on the lower run, the engineers relied on the igus autoglide elements. This system consists of comb-like injection-moulded crossbars that prevent the energy chain from sliding out. This allows the user to dispense with a guide trough completely.

Long-lasting, maintenance-free and easy to clean

Busbar systems, or the contacts of the pantograph, are very susceptible to wear and need be replaced after only one to two years. With the autoglide 5, igus has developed a durable and maintenance-free energy supply system made of high-performance polymers. Since the autoglide 5, unlike the busbar system, has no open contacts, the aisle is easy to clean. igus offers the energy chain system already fully harnessed as a readychain with highly flexible chainflex cables. igus is testing the long service life of the new energy chain in its own 3,800 mq test laboratory. In the laboratory autoglide 5 recorded low noise levels: at a speed of 2 metres per second the measured value was 63dB(A).