The longest distance in the world by an igus® plastic e-chain® was designed and delivered for the largest power supplier in the Czech Republic, the CEZ Group. The "heavy duty" roller e-chain system® of the 5050RHD series is installed in the conveyor unit of a large brown coal excavator "Tušimice II". The distance covered is 2,018 ft. The record lengths until now was held by container cranes in Singapore Harbour that held almost 1,640 ft. and a taconite conveyor system in the USA with 1,903 ft.
The igus® plastic e-chains® with rugged chainflex® cables were selected because the customer was convinced by the technology, service and service life. A successful conversion of a similar facility (Pocerady, 2001) with igus® plastic e-chains®, which continues to function today without any failure, was taken into account. Compared to the previously integrated festooning systems, with the e-chain systems® the required cable lengths can be reduced and installation space saved. The e-chain systems® today clearly contribute toward the reliability, as system downtime's through cable breaks is reduced to zero.
In the facility, three more e-chain systems® from the E4/4 range are used with assembled Chainflex® cables: the 4040 series with 328 ft travel as well as two roller e-chains® 5050R each with 1,043 ft. travel. The systems are directly mounted on the excavator and safely supply energy, data and media.
