As with the first generation pre-harnessed energy chain system, it is ready to fit directly onto a machine without the need for specialist tools – however, this generation combines the connector, mounting bracket and energy chain as one single unit, which is said to connect 3 times faster and now accommodates 16 different modular inserts.
“In very high-cost production environments, such as the automotive industry, or for warehousing storage and retrieval systems, every minute of downtime can cost £1,000s,” says Justin Leonard, director, igus. “Whenever possible, spare sub-assemblies are kept in-stock to enable quick swap out should damage occur. The readychain speed 2.0 pre-harnessed energy chain system is a single unit and as such can be exchanged very quickly, reducing machinery downtime significantly.”
readychain speed 2.0 employs the established all-rounder E4.1 series energy chain. The integrated connection unit can combine 16 different modular inserts for any common connector type (160 contact options), be it for fibre optic, control, servo, data and pneumatic lines. Also, the energy chain itself doesn’t need to be bolted into place – it’s simply latched into position without the need for specialist tools.
