igus energy chains used to create world's largest starflyer
igus UK supplies and manufactures plastic energy chains and energy chain systems for moving cables that are durable, low cost and maintenance free. When commissioned to design the 'Star Flyer' theme park ride - an extreme vertical Chair-O-Plane in Vienna - ride designer Funtime Industries faced the mammoth task of specifying a reliable moving system to supply power up to the top of the 117m tower.
One of the biggest challenges to overcome for extremely high vertical applications is to support moving cables both safely and securely. The two most important factors for the cable carrier are that the cables lay perfectly within the energy chain, so as not to absorb any of the tensile forces that occur whilst the cables are in motion, and that they are securely fastened at the end points. In addition, the cables must be able to travel smoothly, whilst supporting their own weight.
As igus manufactures energy chains with an interior separation system, these issues were effectively resolved for Funtime Industries. The cables were securely and neatly harnessed into the energy chains, with end fixings providing strain relief to the cables. This ensured there was no flexing, wearing or twisting of the cables and that each cable was able to move totally independently from one another.
