LIFTING EQUIPMENT
Advanced plastics for longer mining equipment life Technologically advanced materials have revolutionised many applications in the industrial environment with engineered plastics able to outperform and outlast steel in heavy-duty applications such as bearings, bushes and protective housings. They have also enabled modern manufacturers to develop strong and durable solutions for ageold problems such as protecting cables, reducing wear and providing flexible control for robotics and automation through the development of specially produced chain flex energy chains (e-chains). These can be developed for cables from 3mm to massive 300mm hoses in applications that replace festoons, busbars and cable reel drums and enhance machine operations. Simultaneously, modern-day cables are being developed especially for these applications and boast equally advanced materials that enhance cables’ strength, durability, longevity and can be developed to adopt properties that are required for many differing applications. Technology trailblazer At the forefront of these technological developments is German manufacturer, Igus, which 20
Lifting Africa - May/Jun 2021
