15 energy chain in travelling column milling machine with up to 50 metres travel

• What was needed: 15 igus ®-energy chains in all travel axes, the lifting cabin and in the tool changer
• Requirements: long travel distances of up to 50 m, the vertically mounted e-chain® had to be supported in the Y-axis without protruding over the machine stand, chips reach the area of the X-axis energy chain
• Industry: Machine tool construction, milling machines
• Success for the customer: a pneumatically foldable support plate ensures that the e-chain® is securely supported on the Y-axis while the overall height of the machine is not exceeded; the use of plastic-energy chain enabled the weight to be reduced by 40 per cent; telescopic covers ensure that the e-chain® on the X-axis is protected from chips

SHW Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH is one of the world's leading manufacturers of travelling column machines. The SHW-WM PowerForce 8 universal travelling column milling machine is the largest and most powerful machine in the SHW-WM product range with travels of up to 50 metres (in X-axis, Y=7.1 m, Z=2.01 m) and a drive power of up to 90KW at the spindle. For the new development of the PowerForce 8, cable guides had to be installed in all travel axes, the lifting cabin and in the tool changer. The Y-axis energy chains (double arrangement) are installed vertically throughout the SHW-WM product range in order to minimise cable and hose lengths. However, due to the long vertical travel of 7100 mm and the high weight, the energy chains require support on both sides. This is not a problem at the fixed end. On the headstock side, the energy chain can be supported over a maximum length of 1500 mm so as not to protrude beyond the machine column in the Y+ travel end position. However, this is too short for this long travel and the weight of the energy chain. In addition, the working area of large travelling column machines cannot be separated from the rear area of the machine. This allows chips to enter the area of the X-axis energy chain. With the PowerForce 8 in particular, a large volume of chips can be expected, which can have a negative effect on the service life of the energy chain.

In the new development of the PowerForce 8, a total of 15 igus ® energy chains were installed in all travel axes, the lifting cabin and in the tool changer.
In addition to the permanently mounted support plate for the energy chain, a pneumatically foldable support plate was installed above it. When the headstock is moved in Y+, the movable support plate is now folded in. This arrangement ensures that the energy chain is safely supported towards the headstock and that the total height of the machine of 9350 mm is not exceeded. This principle made it possible to use plastic energy chains and reduce the weight by 40 per cent thanks to the standing application.
For the energy chain in X-axis, it was decided to integrate it into the machine bed to protect it from chips. In the case of the PowerForce8, a total of four open energy chains (double arrangement) are mounted on the sliding side under flexibly travelling X-telescopic covers. This guarantees safe separation of the energy chain from the work area.