The innovative Charger from Künz requires 57% less drive force for cable guidance

What was needed: A cable guide including cables and guide trough for his electrically operated RTG

Requirements: Long service life and the most energy-efficient cable guide possible

Industry: Cranes

Success for the customer: The P4.42 roller energy chain saves up to 57% drive energy compared to a gliding version. This is in line with the energy-efficient concept of the electrically powered RTG. The rollers design also enables significantly quieter and vibration-reduced operation. Künz procures the data and power cables as well as the guide trough together with the energy chain from a single source.

Switching to more sustainable terminal solutions is a challenge for operators. RTGs are mainly powered by large diesel engines, which result in very high fuel consumption and emissions. Added to this are significant noise levels and maintenance costs.

Austrian company Künz GmbH has come up with an alternative solution. With its "Charger", the globally active company has developed an electrically powered RTG specifically for intermodal terminals. A diesel unit is only used here to charge a Li-ion battery. The power required is much lower and the electricity demand remains constant. Overall, the energy consumption is significantly reduced, the total energy costs are reduced by up to 70%, the maintenance costs by up to 60%.

When realising the environmentally friendly crane, Künz not only had to rely on a low-emission drive, but also on the right components being installed. While the hoist, gantry and trolley are driven by highly efficient electric motors, the power and data supply to the trolley also had to be carefully selected. In line with the efficient concept, the cable guide system also had to be as durable, cost-effective and energy-efficient as possible.

To make the Charger more energy-efficient and cost-effective, Künz is focussing not only on the drive concept but also on the components used. For example, the Charger uses the profile-rol e-chain P4.42, which is designed for high speeds and loads. Thanks to the double roller design, it is characterised by significantly reduced noise and vibration, which in turn increases the service life maintenance of the system. The e-chain is specially designed for high travel speeds of over 10m/s and high fill weights of up to 50kg/m.

The rollers run smoothly over the entire travel on a continuous running surface. As a result, the coefficient of friction decreases and the drive power is reduced by 57%, which leads to significant energy savings. The wear inserts added to the side of the chain links ensure a long service life in contact with a guide trough.

When it comes to cable guide, Künz also benefits from the experience of crane manufacturers worldwide with the system: the P4 roller chain series has already proven itself in well over 1,000 crane and gantry applications, with travel distances of up to 800 metres, high speeds of over 5m/s and several million cycles.

The roller energy chain has also been equipped with chainflex cables for energy and data transmission. Like all chainflex cables, the used CF9 and CF10 control cables, CF27 servo cables and CF330 motor cables have been specially developed for a long service life in moving applications. Together with a guide trough, the cable guide is ready. The result is a fully harnessed readychain energy chain system - everything from a single source.