igus has developed the autoglide 5 to safely guide cables horizontally at speeds of up to 4 m/s and over distances of up to 80 meters, even without a rail. "The autoglide 5 can be easily installed in the aisle using a steel cable or profile. Its main appeal lies in its affordable price, an 88 percent reduction in installation time compared to rail systems, and its maintenance-free operation," explains Christian Strauch, Industry Manager for Intralogistics at igus. "Therefore, the new power supply system offers a viable alternative to electrified rails."
To install the Autoglide 5, the intralogistics technician only needs a metal cable, which is laid on the aisle floor. Alternatively, guidance via a plastic rope or profile is also possible. The energy carrier chain travels safely on the cable. The bottom of each link has a guide element in the center, allowing the energy carrier chain to rest stably on the metal cable. For wear resistance and precise winding of the upper strand of the chain over the lower strand, this system consists of injection-molded, comb-shaped crossbars that prevent the energy carrier chain from slipping off. This allows the user to completely eliminate the need for a guide rail.
