Flexible cable routing in stacker system for stocking warehouses

Profile

• What was needed: igus ®-energy chain type E2/000
• Requirements: Secure guidance of all energy, Ethernet and signal cables in a chain solution, high travelling speeds and accelerations with minimum bend radius
• Industry: mechanical engineering, warehouse logistics
• Success for the customer: type E2/000 energy chains reliably follow tight bend radii and can easily handle high travel speeds and accelerations; the chainflex® cables are also flexible and can fulfil all requirements in the system

Problem
The plant manufacturer IMV metalomecânica in Portugal specialises in the production of machines for the corrugated cardboard, ceramics and wood industries.
As part of a project for an automated warehouse for a supplier of cardboard boxes, a crane system was developed that can stack building materials in three dimensions. All movements of the crane system can be carried out independently of each other. The translatory movement is driven by two geared motors. The lifting platform (orange structure in the picture above) is also driven separately by a geared motor. 
There are also two rows of telescopic forks inside the lifting platform, which place the load securely in the racking systems. The opening movement of these forks is also driven by two geared motors. In order for the motors to work in the system, a power supply must be guaranteed. At the same time, data cables that transmit signals from the photocells to the control unit must be routed safely.

Solution
Today, energy chains from igus® are used in the forklift system. Specifically, energy chains of type E2/000 were installed in the system, which allow a travelling speed of 20 m/min. with an acceleration of 0.3 m/s2. They cover a travel of 6 metres and allow a particularly small bend radius as requested by the system manufacturer.
The particularly flexible chainflex® power cables, Ethernet cables and signalling cables are all routed safely in the energy chain. The cheinflex cables were chosen because they can easily cope with the high travelling speeds and accelerations and allow the tight bend radius. The additional copper used in the cables had the positive effect of reducing the noise level, which was amplified by the metal structure of the forklift truck.