Reliable energy supply system in a gear grinder in a tight installation space

Plastic energy chains have been used in machine series for years without any problems

Realising a vertical lifting of over one metre and a pivoting range of 270° in a confined installation space was made possible in this application in the grinding head of a gear grinder. A conventional hanging installation of an energy chain was impossible, instead an e-chain with the fixed point mounted below was chosen. The e-chain, which can be moved from both sides, is directed over a guide roller and constantly tensioned.

Höfler Maschinenbau GmbH (now under Klingelnberg AG), a traditional company based in Ettlingen in Baden-Württemberg, specialises in the design of gear grinding and gear milling machines. For such a gear grinding machine, a special solution for the energy supply system had to be found for a customer due to the structural environmental conditions.  A vertical stroke of 1320 mm and a pivoting range of the grinding head of 270° (-180° to +90°) had to be achieved in a rather limited installation space. An energy chain in a conventional hanging arrangement could not be accommodated in the given installation space.
In order to meet the specified requirements, the energy chain system from igus was chosen as the fixed point at the bottom. The chain, which can move on both sides, is guided by a pivoting guide roller, which is connected to a counterweight by means of a toothed belt. This keeps the chain under tension at all times. In the meantime, the decision was made to install the energy chain in batch production due to the good experiences. The igus energy supply system has been used here for many years without any problems.