What a compact cable guidance system on an indoor crane looks like

Jens Göbel | 25. March 2020

More and more well-known indoor crane system manufacturers have discovered how efficient the energy chain, and the energy chain guide system are. End customers are also appreciating the advantages of the energy chain more and more. But what specific advantages does the energy chain have over the classical festooning or cable trolley system in an indoor crane? Not all of them can be identified at first glance. Others only become apparent during use.

Below, we have listed several points that our customers have found important in deciding on a cable guide system. The advantages can be broken into roughly two areas:

Fitting:

• Increased range without obstacles
• Unexcelled distances under the entire crane girder – little chain system installation space needed on the crane
• No cables dangling from the crane girder – greater storage space
• Smaller clearance between the hook and the wall
• No additional steel structure necessary on the crane
• Low weight

Maintenance/repair:

• Long cable service life (condition: energy-chain-compatible cables such as chainflex)
• Operating and maintenance costs lower than those of festooning or a cable trolley system
• Less susceptibility to errors
• No components that require regular lubrication

The relative aesthetic attractiveness of an indoor crane with an energy chain guide system is a matter of taste.

Installation:

Characteristics favouring the use of an igus guidefast energy chain system in an indoor crane, besides aesthetics, very clearly include the compact, easy-to-install design. The system was designed to be installed on the crane girder quickly and easily by a single person. We have summarised the necessary work steps in a short video.

Of course this energy chain system is better suited to single-girder indoor crane applications. For guiding large cable packages, and for applications in special environments such as waste management, composting, steel works, shipbuilding, the aerospace industry, but also for material transport in clean environments, there are energy chain guide systems harmonised specially to the application in question.

Our website has further examples of and solutions for cable guidance on indoor cranes. You will also find our brochure for free download.

Do you have questions or an application that you would like to discuss with us? Arrange an appointment for virtual consultation now