Following the final acceptance test, customers can be sure they have a comprehensive solution, including an acceptance test report if required. Alongside the complete on-site installation, igus offers to guarantee the system for a long period of maintenance-free operation, to agreed technical specifications. What are the benefits of the igus-installed service? Let experts do the job During system assembly or on-site installation, many complex technical details have to be considered and planned for, which is why more and more customers are handing over the whole energy chain system project to igus. For example, the cables must be assembled without tension, or twisting. Also, certain cable or hose types should not be routed next to one another because the different jacket materials might damage one another. “It’s much easier to take all this into account during assembly on a large purpose built work bench with all the tools and assembly aids available, than it is on site,” explains Michael Blass, Energy Chains Systems Manager at igus. Technical know-how The situation is similar for energy chain guide trough assemblies: The guide trough has to be assembled straight over the whole distance, which can be over several hundred meters. “The joints between the parts of the channel must be made precisely , and any lateral tolerances of the moving system must also be taken into consideration.” In this case, a so-called “floating towing arm” can be used to ensure correct operation. In another example, vertically suspended energy chains (for example on a storage and retrieval unit) may have lateral accelerations which must be absorbed. These could otherwise pull the energy chain out of its guide trough during acceleration or deceleration. Pre-assembly and installation Many customers purchase a variey of individual components and assemble these themselves. This can be very involved: assembly of the energy chains themselves, inserting the cables, crimping and fitting connectors. All of these activities are no easy task at height or outdoors in any weather! In such situations, igus offers the “ReadyChain” pre-assembly service, and tests each complete package thoroughly. The assembly can then be rolled onto a drum from which it can simply be unrolled on site, like an adhesive tape dispenser. Complete system responsibility There are two options as part of the “igus installed” service. Igus installation engineers can supervise the installation of the pre-assembled “ReadyChain” system or the customer can pass the complete responsibility to the igus installation team. “One of our customers recently reported that he used to have two or three employees working two to three weeks on an installation job. We can do the same job for him in two to three days, thanks to the experience of our engineers and the pre-assembly work done at the igus factory,” said Blass. The company now offers this installation service for all tasks – not just large-scale projects – whether for ten machine tools or where a single existing energy supply solution needs upgrading or replacing. The service includes professional, fault-free assembly to prevent further downtime, and fast implementation to keep production loss to a minimum. Also, logistics expenditure and complication will be reduced for the customer. A system guarantee and final acceptance report for the complete system can also be provided.
Monday, December 23, 2024
