Unsupported energy chain in the horizontal lathe's chip area

• What was needed:  double-running "guidelok" energy chain
• Requirements: particularly long travel distances, high reliability of energy and signal routing
• Industry: Mechanical engineering
• Success for the customer: robust and reliable energy supply, perfectly tailored to the application

The success story of a now world-renowned manufacturer of horizontal lathes began 52 years ago. We are talking about the Spanish machine manufacturer Tornos Gurutzpe S.A. The turning machine manufacturer Gurutzpe specialises in custom-made products for customers who often have special requirements. In addition to prismatic lathes, Gurutzpe also builds four-guide machines, for example, which allow extremely flexible applications. As a rule, these are equipped with fixed or hydraulic steady rests and other accessories of the latest generation. Market demand is increasingly focussing on large and long lathes. Gurutzpe has already built lathes with a length of 20 metres. Of course, these dimensions also require energy supply systems that can enable the particularly long travel distances involved. But that was not the only requirement in this application: Global buyers of lathes place particularly high value on 3 things: reliability, rigidity and efficiency. For its horizontal lathe, the "A-2000 4G CNC", Gurutzpe was ultimately looking for an energy and signal supply solution that could fulfil these requirements.

For the new horizontal turning machine "A-2000 4G CNC", the first model of which has now been delivered to a customer in the wind energy sector, Tornos Gurutzpe S.A. opted for two double-running  "guidelok" energy chains from igus®. Over a length of 13.5 metres, the two reverse energy chains are connected to the carriage in a self-supporting manner. The new energy chain solution from igus® was specially developed for long unsupported travel distances of up to 50 m in the chip area. The guidelok system guides the upper run of the energy chain on swivelling roller holders, which fold into the moving radius of the chain and thus always guarantee unhindered travel. Guided in a light channel, the energy chain first travels past the roller holders. These then swivel in and out again after the radius. The upper run then rests on the roller holders again. Thanks to this innovative design, no chips can get stuck between the sliding surfaces of the upper and lower run of the energy chain.