Energy chains for bulk handling cranes
Bulk handling cranes place extreme demands on cable solutions in many respects: While the travels for the transport of bulk goods often reach several 100 metres in length, all components must withstand outdoor weather conditions throughout the year. But also the high level of dirt and dust during transport of, for e.g., ores, sand or gravel require energy chains with high robustness, corrosion resistance, maintenance-free and long service life.
Durable products for bulk handling cranes
Heavy-duty roller energy chains
- Stainless steel energy chains with rollers
- Long travels of up to 800m
- Speeds of up to 5m/s
- 10x longer service life whilst using less drive force
Find out more about roller e-chains
Guide troughs
- Available in stainless steel or aluminium for seawater resistance to EN6060 and weight reduction
- Available as cost-effective and corrosion-free polymer trough
Find out more about guide troughs
Floating moving end
- As compensation in the case of long travels
- Small, lightweight and cost-effective
- Compatible with isense EC.P
- Can be deployed with a range of energy supplies
Find out more about floating moving ends
Predictive maintenance with i.Cee
Thanks to intelligent software in combination with sensors on the energy chains, unplanned downtimes of cranes are a thing of the past. The i.Cee consists of sensors and software that report possible maintenance needs on the energy chain at an early stage, even before damage or even breakdowns can occur. Expensive plant downtimes are avoided and safety is increased.Further information
Condition monitoring with i.Sense
The intelligent i.Sense sensor system and software monitors the condition of the energy chain on the crane around the clock. While heavy loads, long operating times and severe weather mean high loads for STS cranes, i.Sense helps to ensure operational safety. In the event of problems, the software can initiate an emergency stop to prevent major damage.Further information
CFXL chainfix clamps
Since STS cranes often have particularly long travels, high loads and forces prevail, especially in the area of energy supply. In order to relieve the heavily stressed cables in the chain, chainfix clamps are used. With simple retrofitting, they allow strain relief even for hoses and cables with large diameters.Further information
Robust and smart – how digitally networked energy chains enhance STS cranes in the Port of Rotterdam
Download a free case study
This case study illustrates how EMO B.V. is able to achieve over 375,000km on its STS cranes with igus chains for cranes®.
Go to the PDF download
System comparison
Energy chain systems instead of festooning, motor cable drums and busbars
Provide guidance for cables and energy chains while keeping them protected and safe in wind and fluctuating temperatures. This minimises downtime.
More about the festooning alternative
No slip ring on long travels. Guide all media safely in one system. Travels of up to 1,000 metres.
More about the motor cable drum alternative
Deliver data, energy, fluids and air safely in a single energy chain system. For narrow compact spaces and fast lane movement.
More about the busbar system alternative
Successful applications with bulk handling cranes
In operation for 10 years without failure
In this power plant in the Czech Republic, coal is stored in a heap on the edge of the power plant area. In order to be able to stack the coal on the heap, a “stacker” is required. To ensure that it is reliably supplied with energy, data and media over a travel of 615m, the operator has opted for one of our plastic energy chain systems.
Go to complete user report
Energy supply for dust and dirt in alumina production
The high amount of dust during mining and subsequent storage of bauxite in alumina production poses a major challenge for moving machine parts. The operator therefore opted for our energy chains in this application. For several years now, they have reliably supplied conveyor units and stockpiling equipment with energy, data and media.
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Bulk handling crane with durable energy chain
On 441 metres travel with a max. acceleration of 1m/sec², a motor cable drum and thus slip rings were used for the main power and data supply. Due to the high maintenance requirements, the operator opted for a new roller energy chain and fail-safe chainflex cables.
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Wind and weatherproof: energy chain on ship loaders
This ship loader has been converted to handle various bulk materials. Due to the elimination of other loaders and the high utilisation, the conversion of the loader had to be designed from the outset so that it could withstand the heavy loads at all times. Since final commissioning, the energy chain and chainflex cables have been working flawlessly.
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Failure free steelworks thanks to new plastic energy chain
Because the metal chain was constantly damaging the cables in this raw and scrap metal unloading station, causing breakdowns, the operator decided on a new approach. The replacement of a plastic energy chain with chainflex cables brought the breakthrough. Since then, there have been no more problems to report. The solution saves time and money.
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