e-chains in use at -40 degrees
igus products ensure the friction-free operation of a fully automatic aircraft maintenance system
De-icing and washing aircraft is still a very manual process. To reduce time, delays and therefore costs, MSG Production AS developed a fully automated all-in-one concept that can de-ice and wash aircraft. The Norwegian company relies entirely on the advantages of motion plastics from igus: energy chains of the E2 and E4 series ensure reliable cable guidance and igubal pillow block bearings for the mounting of cleaning nozzles.
Profile
- What was needed: E4.1 and 2400 series energy chains and igubal pillow block bearings
- Requirements: energy supply systems and pillow block bearing that are reliable despite moisture, chemicals and extreme cold
- Industry: aviation
- Success for the customer: durable products for use in aggressive environmental conditions, high product service life predictability with support from online tools
Problem
De-icing aircraft is expensive and time-consuming, since multiple steps in the process still require manual intervention. As many aircraft have to be freed of ice simultaneously, the de-icing becomes the bottleneck at the airport. The same is true of cleaning aircraft: washing a Boeing 737 is an especially time-consuming process for which up to ten hours must be set aside. MSG Production AS took on these challenges and for the first time developed a stationary, fully automatic system, which fulfils two purposes: de-icing and washing. It reduces the de-icing time to seven minutes and the washing time to twenty minutes. The system consists of three beams, attached to each of which are two telescopic arms and bars. There is a nozzle system in the bars and on the floor. When an aircraft enters the hangar, it is pulled by an electric carriage and cleaned or de-iced by the system similar to that in a car wash. Since this must work reliably despite humidity, chemicals and cold, the manufacturer makes special demands on the system components.Solution
The developers chose igus energy chains for safe guidance of hoses and cables. In total, there are 25 energy chains in the system. In addition to 19 E4.1 e-chains, MSG Production AS installed six 2400 series energy supply systems. The material igumid G ensures that the chains are insensitive to moisture and chemicals. Even temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius are no problem. Both energy chains are dirt-resistant and do not require lubrication, making them ideal for use in de-icing or cleaning equipment.In cable guidance, igus products are also used for mounting nozzles. igubal pillow block bearings reliably ensure mobility for individual nozzles. Their position on the floor and the bars also permanently exposes them to chemicals and moisture. Like all products from the motion plastics specialist igus, the bearings are lubrication-free, corrosion-free, wear-resistant and have low-friction. Another advantage is that the service life of the bearings and e-chains can be calculated quickly and easily with online tools. The forecasts are based on more than 12,000 tribological tests and 10 billion test cycles a year in the company's own 2,750-square-metre test lab. This gives customers reliable information about the service life of the bearings, e-chains and cables they use and helps avoid unplanned system downtimes.
