Solution
In order to keep plant availability close to 100 percent, Carpenter relied on the most reliable and low-maintenance components possible when designing the cranes, including our energy chain systems. The fact that the original chains and cables are still in use after 15 years proves that the system is right.
Today, the hoist is connected to the gripper via an
energy chain of type E4 in
zig-zag arrangement, which is about six metres long. Approximately 90m long E4 energy chains, which run parallel to the crane rail in a horizontal galvanised sheet steel guide trough, are used as power supply lines for the trolley travel.
The travel is 80 metres, the lifting distance 5 metres. Experience showed that the chain system is exactly the right size for the application. It is true that individual cables and chain links have already had to be replaced, but not due to damage. It is because Carpenter has implemented a
"predictive maintenance" system to avoid failures at all costs. The importance of a functioning crane system is immense. Despite the great success of the project, Carpenter was persuaded to test the successor model to the E4/0, the
E4.1, which has been on the market since 2007, on one of the cranes. The advantages of the developed energy chain speak for themselves: The side parts of the E4.1 are connected to each other by a patented tongue and groove connection. This increases stability in both the pulling and pushing directions, for example when high lateral acceleration forces act on the chain. Overall, the E4.1 series are therefore more stable than their predecessors with the same or smaller dimensions. Almost all accessories and mounting dimensions are identical.