For cable guidance in drawers and pull-outs of all kinds, igus is launching the draw e-chain. Thanks to the minimalist design, the price of the compact energy chain is 30 per cent lower than the most cost-effective standard e-chains. This protects against expensive oversizing, especially if the application is only moved a little.

From drawers in camper vans to pull-outs in server racks in data centres: industrial energy chains for hundreds of thousands of cycles are oversized for guiding cables in applications where movement only occurs occasionally. Users would pay for features that they do not need. "We have therefore developed the draw e-chain, a new compact low-cost energy chain for cable guidance in drawers and pull-outs of all kinds," explained Jörg Ottersbach, Head of the e-chain Business Unit at igus. The new energy chain has a bend radius of 45mm, an external width of 45mm and an external height of just 22mm. "This makes it 13 per cent flatter than our flattest standard e-chain B17.1.048.0 to date."

The draw-e-chain is not only more compact than standard models, it also costs less. The reason: there are no mechanically complex components. The injection-moulded e-chain does not need any chain links to fold. Instead, the segments are flexible enough to allow the required bending. Thanks to this absence of chain links, the draw-e-chain consists of just six segments per metre, which can be connected via a simple connector system, which reduces effort and costs. "Due to this minimalist design, the draw e-chain costs 30 per cent less than our most cost-effective standard e-chain," said Ottersbach.

The draw e-chain is designed so that users can assemble it by hand in a very short time. The low-cost energy chain is designed for installation rotated by 90 degrees, for example on the inner side of a drawer. Connection elements are not necessary. The segments of the cable guidance have holes for screws. "Inserting cables is also done quickly," said Ottersbach. Unlike standard e-chains, there are no crossbars that users have to open first. "You can simply push the cables through the bendable tabs of the energy chain from above. That takes just a few seconds."

Igus GmbH develops and produces motion plastics. These lubrication-free, high-performance polymers improve technology and reduce costs wherever things move. In energy supplies, highly flexible cables, plain and linear bearings as well as lead screw technology made of tribo-polymers, igus is the worldwide market leader. The family-run company based in Cologne, Germany, is represented in 31 countries and employs 4,600 people across the globe. In 2022, igus generated a turnover of Euro 1.15 billion. In recent years, the company has expanded by creating internal startups, e.g. for ball bearings, robot drives, 3D printing, the RBTX platform for Lean Robotics and intelligent "smart plastics" for Industry 4.0. Among the most important environmental investments are the "chainge" programme – recycling of used e-chains - and the participation in an enterprise that produces oil from plastic waste.