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Igus|Automation|Battery Production|Cleanroom|Pharmaceutical|Semiconductor|Ian Hewat|Energy Chain
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igus|automation|battery-production|cleanroom|pharmaceutical|semiconductor|ian-hewat|energy-chain

Innovative plastic energy chain protects cables

Image of igus C6 energy chain with e-spin upper run guide wheel

igus C6 energy chain with e-spin upper run guide wheel

24th July 2026

     

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With increasing automation and growing systems, the routes for material transport are becoming longer, explains advanced polymer manufacturer igus. The company notes a key challenge is to ensure that energy and data cables can move freely while minimising wear and tear.

igus has developed a new cleanroom energy chain with a guide system that allows for abrasion-resistant travel over distances of up to 30 m. It is designed for applications in microelectronics, semiconductor, pharmaceutical or battery production – wherever surroundings are required to be free of particles, while maintaining high production rates.

According to igus MD Ian Hewat, standard energy chains usually require complex extraction systems for microparticles while the new igus C6 energy chain in combination with the new e-spin upper run guide wheel offers a solution that allows compact and durable energy supply in cleanrooms even for long travels.

“Cleanrooms have strict requirements for cleanliness and the exclusion of particles which makes manual transport within the cleanroom unfeasible. This has led to the development of cleanroom-compatible energy chains that are durable and cost-effective alternatives to costly hoist and manual systems,” says Hewat.

He explains that igus developed a special guide system called e-spin for its C6 cleanroom energy chain. It consists of guide wheels that are made of tribologically optimised high-performance plastic which is optimised for friction and wear. The wheels are located between the upper and lower run of the energy chain. As a result, the chain parts roll on top of each other instead of gliding to prevent particle emissions.

This allows it to be used without the need for an extraction unit and allows design engineers to reduce the complexity of energy supply in transport systems, helping to save costs.

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