Hybrid energy chain YE - strong, shake-proof and compact

The hybrid energy chain YE is the best mix of lightweight plastic and strong steel that can easily handle high unsupported travels. It was developed to meet the requirements of construction machinery and lifting equipment. The requirement was to offer the maximum possible unsupported length with compact dimensions and the lowest possible weight. However, pure steel energy chains have the disadvantages of high assembly costs and weight. The YE system combines the higher strength of steel elements with the low weight and flexibility of plastic components. In addition, no screws, rivets or bolts are used, which can loosen under vibration.

Almost 50% less weight than comparable steel chains
YE.42: 91% more unsupported length compared to the E4.42 series
YE.56: 61% more unsupported length compared to the E4.56 series
YEHD.112: 68% more unsupported length compared to the E4.112 series

e-chain® with crossbars every 2nd link, openable from both sides

Series YE.42

Inner height hi: 42mm
Outer height ha: 76mm
Inner width Bi: 100 - 400mm
Outer width Ba: 118 - 418mm
Bend radii R: 100 - 150mm
Pitch: 67mm

Buy the YE.42 series now

YE.56 series

Inner height hi: 56mm
Outer height ha: 90mm
Inner width Bi: 100 - 600mm
Outer width Ba: 124 - 624mm
Bend radii R: 100 - 500mm
Pitch: 91mm

Buy the YE.56 series now

iSet YE | Travels: 6 - 18m

Save time and money with our complete energy chain system. No need to spend a lot of time searching for the right accessories. Suitable for construction machinery, cherry pickers, telescopic loaders, construction machinery.

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e-chain® with crossbars every link, openable from both sides

YEHD.108 series

Inner height hi: 108mm
Outer height ha: 146mm
Inner width Bi: 387 - 550mm
Outer width Ba: 435 - 598mm
Bend radii R: 250 - 600mm

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YEHD.112 series

Inner height hi: 112mm
Outer height ha: 146mm
Inner width Bi: 100 - 600mm
Outer width Ba: 148 - 648mm
Bend radii R: 250 - 600mm

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e-tube, openable from both sides, pivoting lid - protection against chips and dirt

YR.42 series

Inner height hi: 42mm
Outer height ha: 76mm
Inner width Bi: 100 - 300mm
Outer width Ba: 118 - 318mm
Bend radii R: 125 - 150mm

Buy the YR.42 series now

YR.56 series

Inner height hi: 56mm
Outer height ha: 90mm
Inner width Bi: 100 - 462mm
Outer width Ba: 124 - 486mm
Bend radii R: 150 - 500mm

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YRHD.108 series

Inner height hi: 108mm
Outer height ha: 146mm
Inner width Bi: 200 - 500mm
Outer width Ba: 248 - 548mm
Bend radii R: 250 - 600mm

Buy the YRHD.108 series now

Realised in practice

Hybrid tube YRHD in use at DWK Drahtwerk Köln as a replacement for steel tube
High stability and considerable fill weight - both requirements of the DKW Drahtwerk Köln have led to the selection of the hybrid chain YRHD.108.25.500.0 (tube variant) for implementing the unsupported travel of 12.5m with a fill weight of 28kg/m. The lids and shelves of the energy tube can be opened so that it is possible to add or replace cables later.

Two YE.42 side-by-side hybrid chains replace a steel chain at Sinopec
In steel chains, the built-in hydraulic hoses of this power catwalk application wear out very quickly, so that an alternative was sought. As the YE.42 hybrid chain consists of steel side plates that ensure an unsupported length that is approx. 100% longer (compared to plastic chains of the same size) and as the plastic links that have proven themselves for more than 35 years are used as crossbars, the YE series hybrid chain solves the customer's wear problem.

YE.42 hybrid chains for retrofitting a Genie work platform
The YE.42 series with a chain length of 7.5m is used in a Genie work platform. It functioned flawlessly after installation. The engineers on site particularly emphasised the ease of installation. It took much longer to remove the existing steel chain than to install the new YE hybrid energy chain, which was done within an hour in this application.

Order a free sample

Order a free sample of YE and see the quality of the product for yourself.

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Tech up

Almost 50% less weight ¹
50% longer unsupported length ²
High tensile strength
No screws, rivets or bolts that
can become loose under vibration
Robust: steel mounting brackets with attachment options from any side
Smooth operation due to plastic pin connection
Wide range of interior separation elements

¹As a pure steel chain of comparable size
²As a comparable plastic e-chain

Cost down

Easy installation - plastic outer links
with flange for easy assembly of the
e-chain links
Available as a ready-to-install readychain system with cables,
hoses and hydraulic components
Intelligent breakage detection - available with i.Sense EC.B to avoid unplanned downtimes.

Proof

First customer applications with high additional loads are already running
Tested in the igus laboratory: comparison of YE(HD) vs. E4.1 unsupported length at 5kg/m fill weight

Sustainability

Easy installation - plastic outer links
with flange for easy assembly of the
e-chain links
Available as a ready-to-install readychain system with cables,
hoses and hydraulic components
Intelligent breakage detection - available with i.Sense EC.B to avoid unplanned downtimes.

Test run: unsupported length with straight upper run with 5kg/m fill weight

igus compared the YE(HD) and E4.1 in its test laboratory, which is the largest in the industry. Both systems were evaluated in terms of their unsupported length unsupported with straight upper run at 5kg/m additional load.

Result:

With an additional load of 5kg/m, the YEHD.112 series can travel unsupported up to 7.1m and the E4.112 series reaches 4.5m. The YE.56 series can travel up to 5.5m unsupported, the E4.56 series reaches 3.4m. The YE.42 series can travel unsupported up to 4.6m, the E4.42 series reaches 2.4m.

White paper: Energy Supply in Work Platforms

Free white paper: Energy supply for machines with inclined axes
Whether on construction sites, fire brigades or Hollywood films: Aerial work platforms with inclined axes and telescopic extensions are used all over the world. Their designers need energy supply systems that are light, robust, resistant and easy to maintain. Manufacturers have therefore spent decades investing in research and development. In this white paper, you can read about the advantages of the YE hybrid chain for aerial work platforms as well as other machines and applications.

Download white paper now

Why plastic-steel hybrid energy chain

Standard steel energy chains in cherry pickers vs. igus YE hybrid energy chains

Standard steel chains
Frequently observed problems with pure steel energy supply systems:

Corrosion at the joints, resulting in stiffness of the entire energy supply
Deformation of the crossbars, which can cause the drag chain to seize/twist. Sharp edges can also damage the cables and hoses.
Screws, bolts and circlips can get lost over time and make the entire system unstable.
High weight as the energy supply is made of metal
Chain links of steel chains cannot be opened and are almost impossible to replace partially.

igus YE plastic-steel hybrid energy chain
The solution for the problem:

Plastic-metal joints prevent the e-chain® links from seizing due to corrosion.
Plastic crossbars do not deform permanently. They can also be replaced individually in the event of a defect. Rounded crossbars protect cables and hoses.
No screws or rivets are required to connect the e-chains®.
Up to 50% lighter hybrid e-chain®
E-chain® links can be opened as required. Cables can be added or removed as needed. igus® chainflex® cables for every application: whether high UV resistance or high/low temperatures. 36-month guarantee on all cables

Plastic outer links - high tensile force absorption using plastic pins. plastic outer links provide 50% less weight, quick installation and smooth running

Steel inner plates absorb the force of the stop-dogs of the plastic outer links and increase the stability by 50%

Strong and vibration-resistant - for high loads with compact dimensions and low weight. The advantage for cherry pickers is that each saved gram increases the payload.

Variable width: Crossbar from the proven E4 modular system. Available with an inner width of 50 - 400mm. Crossbars easy to open and remove along the inner and outer radii.

Standard interior separation from the proven E4 modular system available from stock

Tough steel mounting brackets with attachment options from any side

1. At an inclination of 0°: 2m with 10kg/m additional load
2. At an inclination of 60°: 6m with 4kg/m additional load
3. At an inclination of 75°: 7m with 4kg/m additional load

The smart breakage detection i.Sense EC.B is now also available for the YE(HD) series. This protects your application from unexpected downtimes.

Everything you need to know about telescopic work platforms and cherry pickers

See the quality of our products for yourself. The sample box contains a selection of igus solutions for use in telescopic extensions and inclined axes.

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Consulting

I look forward to answering your questions

igus® GmbH+49 2203 9649-0 Write e-mail

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