25 E-chains when de-icing airplanes

Details: Released: 25.02.2019; Last updated: 27.05.2023; Hits: 5898

When deicing and washing aircraft is still much manual labor in the game today. To reduce time, delays and thus costs, the MSG Production AS a fully automatic all-in-one concept that can deice and wash aircraft. The Norwegian company set up energy chains from Igus.

The de-icing of aircraft is expensive and time-consuming, since several steps here still require manual intervention. As soon as many aircraft have to be freed of ice at the same time, the de-icing becomes the bottleneck of airport operation. The same situation applies to cleaning: Washing a Boeing 737 is done by hand - and that can take up to 10 hours.

The whole world of igus robots

MSG Production AS took on these challenges and for the first time developed a stationary, fully automatic system that fulfills two processes: de-icing and washing. Thus, the de-icing time can be reduced to seven and the washing time to 20 min. The system consists of three trusses, to each of which two telescopic arms and bars are attached. There is a nozzle system in the ingot and floor. When an aircraft enters the hangar, it is pulled by an electric sled and cleaned or de-iced through the system like in a car wash. Since this must work reliably despite moisture, chemicals and cold, the manufacturer makes special demands on the system components. The developers therefore rely on energy chains from the Motion Plastics specialist for safe guidance of hoses and lines.

How the MSG system works

Wiring made easy

A total of 25 energy chains move in the system. In addition to 19 energy chains from the E4.1 series, MSG Production AS installed six energy chains from the 2400 series. The material "igumid G" ensures that the chains are insensitive to moisture and chemicals. Temperatures down to -40 ° C are also no problem. Both energy chain series are insensitive to dirt and do not require any lubrication, which makes them ideal for use in a de-icing or cleaning system.

Lubrication-free nozzle movement through pillow block bearings

In addition to the cable routing, MSG Production AS also relied on Igus products for the nozzle storage. “Igubal” pillow blocks reliably ensure the mobility of the individual nozzles. Their positions in the soil and bars mean that they are also permanently exposed to chemicals and moisture. Like all of the manufacturer's products, the bearings are free of lubricants and corrosion, are wear-resistant and have low friction.

Another advantage: The service life of the bearings as well as the e-chains can be calculated quickly and easily using online tools. The predictions are based on the annual 12.000 tribological tests and 10 billion test cycles in the in-house 2750 m² test lab. This gives the customer a reliable statement about the service life of his used bearings as well as e-chains and cables. This helps to avoid unplanned plant downtime.

Another contribution of the manufacturer