Igus "Guidelok" Offers Total Chip Protection for Machine Tools

Online, July 20, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Metal chips are a problem for long travels and for when energy chains need to be used for gliding applications. Now the designers from igus have developed a horizontal upper run guiding system called "Guidelok". This new energy chain solution is ideal for longer travels up to 50 m and unsupported travel in the machining industry.

The new system carries the upper run of the energy chain on a swivelling roller bracket which moves away from the moving radius guaranteeing an unhindered ride. Guided in a lightweight aluminium trough, the energy chain passes through the roller brackets first. The roller bracket then moves out again behind the radius. Afterwards the upper energy chain run is supported on the roller brackets. Due to this construction no debris can settle between the sliding surfaces of the upper run and lower run of the energy chain.

With less material and energy, almost no wear.
Along with the main benefit of protecting cables and hoses against chips and debris, this design offers a number of other advantages. The enormous improvement of the free-supporting length allows users to choose a smaller energy chain for the given length, saving material and overall costs. Secondly - by using a smaller and unsupported energy chain the required drive force reduces. Thirdly upper run and lower run of the new "Guidelok" are separated from each other. This minimizes friction and wear, which increases the lifetime once again.

Already in service
Just introduced, the new energy chain system is already used successfully in an industrial application at a German manufacturer of machine tools. A heavy steel chain has just been exchanged with "Guidelok". Changing the existing system for a gliding energy chain solution was out of the question. Metal chips of a 1 Euro coin size would have settled in the inner radius between upper run and lower run, which could have caused damage. In contrast the new system for long unsupported lengths is ideal for such applications.

The "Guidelok" energy guiding is - designed modular and with few parts, and is optional with or without side troughs - available ex works straight away. The company from Cologne is showing the product at http://www.igus.in/wpck/default.aspx?Pagename=overview_guidelok_hor&C=IN&L=en ; among other things, a movie illustrating the new principle of design. The manufacturer igus can deliver within 24 hrs or at the same day. The program includes more than 70,000 energy chain, cable, plug and connector components as well as other accessories.

About igus India:
igus® operations in India started in the year 1998 with head quarters in Bangalore. igus offers widest range of products that includes polymer bearings, igubal®, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments