Large machine tools

Energy chains, cables, and bearing technology for gantry machining centres

In tool- and mould-making, gantry machine tools allow the machining of large components. This places enormous demands on cable guidance systems, which often reach travels of more than ten metres and must safely move the heavy weights of the various energy and data cables and hydraulic lines.
In order to reliably handle this task even in three-shift operation, seven days a week, we are constantly refining our energy chain systems for machine tools. Maximum system and planning reliability in day-to-day operations are always the focus here.

Gantry machine with numbered components and an orange cable carrier system.

Tech up and Cost down: our top products for large machine tools

e-chain e4Q with several cables in a chain.

Energy chain system E4Q

Highly robust and modular design
Optional noise damping for quieter operation
Material savings lead to light weight

Learn more about the energy chain system

Guidelok on a guided cable carrier in an industrial setup, marked 2.

Horizontal upper run guide

Enables the energy chain to travel long distances
Swarf cannot settle between sliding surfaces

Learn more about the guidelok guidance system

igus Module Connect connector module with multiple cable connections.

Intelligent modular connector system

Strain relief in the housing
Space-saving due to flat housing
Connectors adapted to the energy chain geometry

Find out more about Module Connect

igus cable carrier with cables, sensor and radio symbols for motion monitoring.

Predictive maintenance

Intelligent software and sensors on the e-chain
Potential maintenance requirements are reported before a failure occurs

Find out more about smart plastics

iglidur plain bearings in black and beige.

Plain bearings for tool changers

Completely lubrication and maintenance-free plain bearings
Made of wear-optimised iglidur material
Service life predictable with online tools

Find out more about iglidur plain bearings

Several coloured chainflex control cables with different conductor constructions.

The best price/performance ratio

4-year guarantee
Use the price check to always find the cable that costs least and is guaranteed to work

Learn more about chainflex cables

Large machine tool application stories: The right solution for any challenge.

Particularly long travels

Reliability, rigidity and efficiency: For its horizontal lathe, Gurutzpe was looking for an energy and signal supply solution that could meet these requirements. Today, two guidelok energy chains running in opposite directions are used over a length of 13.5m.

Learn more about this application here

Cable carrier on a test rig in an industrial workshop.

High availability under continuous load

Waldrich Coburg's customers often use large machine tools for 20-30 years or longer and often require availability of at least 95%. Our robust cables and connectors are among the elements in demand here.

Learn more about this application here

Cable carrier for an industrial installation on a test track with blue modules.

Quick and easy installation

In its gantry machining centres, Hartfort, a tool manufacturer, uses pre-fitted readychain energy chains. The advantage: Work steps can be eliminated, reducing assembly time for this application from several weeks to just half a day.

Learn more about this application here

Two technicians assemble an energy chain prototype in the factory.

High cable weights on long travels

In this large-scale machine tool, an especially large number of cables and hoses were required to supply the various spindles with energy, media, and data. A guidelok energy chain system carries the heavy weight over a travel of 13 metres.

Learn more about this application here

Cable chain on a long X-axis guides cables and hoses in an industrial machine.

Vertical travels

In this milling machine for bicycles, no fewer than 15 energy chains are installed in all track axes, the stroke cabin and the tool changer. A plastic energy chain also ensures safe cable guidance on a vertical travel of 7100mm.

Learn more about this application here