igus Develops World’s First Energy Supply System for Safer Jib Crane Operations

Cologne, Germany – igus GmbH, a developer and producer of motion plastics, addresses the potential danger posed by energy and data cables hanging from jib cranes. Careless movement of loads, forklifts, or other slewing crane systems in the immediate vicinity can cause them to become entangled and torn off. The company has therefore developed the guidelok swing, the only energy supply system of its kind in the world. It can be installed directly in the T-beam contour, and a special rocker system allows it to be used for long beam lengths cost-effectively with little wear, significantly increasing operational safety.

Jib cranes are an indispensable part of industry. They transport workpieces of all kinds—to loading ramps, processing machines, and assembly stations. However, failures can always occur—for example, when hanging cable loops are damaged by a forklift during workpiece unloading. The result is downtime, unplanned repair costs, and even production delays. “To increase system safety and productivity, we have developed a new energy supply system called the guidelok swing,” says Theo Diehl, Head - Industry Management Cranes, igus. “Energy and data cables no longer hang in the air, but move directly in the jib crane’s girder contour thanks to the energy supply system’s particularly slim, space-saving design. They stay out of the reach of lifted loads, industrial vehicles, or other jib cranes.”

A technical design trick ensures fail-safe operation

lower run rests on the T-beam flange and is connected to the trolley. Unlike traditional chain applications, the guidelok swing moves the lower run. The upper run is held above the trolley by the guidelok swing’s rocker elements. A classic energy chain movement would normally involve the upper run gliding on the lower run. igus, however, has introduced a design trick: every 800 mm, rockers are screwed to the T-beam crossbar. When the upper run passes, the chain radius pushes the rocker flaps up and engages. In the opposite movement, the flaps open like a trapdoor and release the upper run again. The advantage is that the upper and lower runs never touch. Wear is therefore low, extending the energy supply system’s service life. “Another advantage is that the guidelok swing eliminates the need for a guide trough, since the e-chain is held in position by the rockers and cannot break out sideways,” says Diehl. “The energy supply system is therefore also cost-effective, since it costs about as much as classic festoons.” Existing systems can also be converted more quickly because there is no guide trough.

The world’s first users have been won over

SEW-Eurodrive is the first to use the new guide system. The German drive technology manufacturer has equipped an indoor crane with the guidelok swing at its plant in Gauteng, South Africa. The crane moves components for chemical cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner. “Initially, the engineers considered working with classic festoon systems,” Diehl recalls. “But Sales Manager Marius Ferreira from our partner Stahl Cranes and Hoists quickly convinced them that the new guidelok swing guide system reduced the risk of accidents and increased crane reliability.” The energy supply system not only prevents collisions with forklifts, but is also chemical-resistant and corrosion-free and requires no maintenance or external lubricants. SEW-Eurodrive is enthusiastic about the solution, as is an industrial company in South Africa, Barloworld, which has announced that it will work with Stahl Cranes and Hoists to gradually convert more jib cranes in its workshops.

Image Source: igus GmbH

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