New standard for crane cable guides
June 2023
Electrical Power & Protection
Trend setting crane manufacturer, Stahl Cranes and Hoists, is shifting its jib crane cable management systems from the old system of festoons and pulleys to reliable and snag-free energy chain systems from specialist supplier, igus. Manufactured from engineered polymers, the energy chains are mechanical machine elements that guide and protect data and power cables needed to operate the crane. Rather than the cables being exposed and hanging from the festoon system, the energy chains secure the cables within the chain and provide the required movement without damaging the cables.
Stahl Cranes and Hoists sales manager, Marius Ferreira says the latest crane, manufactured for and supplied to SEW-Eurodrive’s Gauteng factory, has an energy chain system from igus. Its ease of installation on the crane and lack of rotating moving parts makes for a less complicated system, with fewer structural attachments, clamps and weld points. The 3-ton monorail system is used in the company’s parts wash bay for the cleaning of equipment from its customer sites around the country.
He adds that cranes using energy chains are considerably more reliable, need almost no maintenance, do not use lubricants, and most importantly, keep the cables out of harm’s way. There is no reason why the energy chain and cables should not last the lifetime of the crane with just routine maintenance. Energy chains from igus are used in applications as diverse as heavy port cranes, mining machines, industrial machines and even 3D printers and robotics.
Further reading:
World’s fastest 14 bit arbitrary waveform generator
Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The ARB Rider AWG-700 from Vepac is the world’s fastest 14 bit arbitrary waveform generator, with a 20 GS/s real-time update rate and 14 bit vertical resolution.
Read more...
Transformers for mining house in Botswana
ACTOM Electrical Machines
Electrical Power & Protection
LH Marthinusen is completing the manufacture of two 30 MVA transformers for a mining house in Botswana.
Read more...
DIN-rail power supplies for reliable and efficient AC/DC conversion
Conical Technologies
Electrical Power & Protection
The Claf Power AD75-2BxxS series DIN-rail power supplies are designed for industrial automation, control systems and process environments.
Read more...
Rethinking power for Africa’s data centres
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s digital economy is scaling faster than its power systems. If it wants resilient, competitive and sustainable data centres, the starting point must be a grid-to-chip architecture rather than a genset-first mentality.
Read more...
The growing decentralisation of power grids
Electrical Power & Protection
The decentralisation of power generation is changing how national grids function. For electrical engineers, several new challenges and opportunities are on the horizon.
Read more...
Custom mini substations for Zambian copper mine
Electrical Power & Protection
Recent orders to supply seventeen specially engineered mini substations for an underground copper mine in Zambia reinforces Trafo Power Solution’s track record in delivering customised electrical solutons for challenging environments.
Read more...
Unifying building information into a sea of insight
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Facility managers realise that in order to gain the most from building automation, they can longer deploy and operate technologies in isolation. Modern, integrated building management solutions address this challenge by bringing data from multiple sources and dispersed locations like HVAC, lighting, access control, lifts, generators, field devices, energy and
Read more...
Smart power solutions for a low-carbon future
ABB South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
As the world marked Earth Day 2026, ABB is highlighting the role of low-voltage smart power solutions in improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions and enabling more sustainable infrastructure.
Read more...
Why digital LV switchboards matter
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Today’s buildings account for up to 40% of global energy consumption and CO
2 emissions. However, buildings are also expected to deliver higher availability and stronger safety performance while also being sustainable. Digital swirchboards make a difference in the way buildings are developed, upgraded and managed.
Read more...
Next-generation charging solution for tough mining and heavy-duty demands
Electrical Power & Protection
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new generation of charging solutions tailored to the specific challenges of underground mining and heavy-duty electrification.
Read more...
printer friendly version