Megalife: Maintenance-free chains for applications in conveying systems

18. Apr 2017 | iwis drive systems

MEGAlife maintenance-free industrial chains Conveying technology iwis

Munich-based chain manufacturer iwis antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG introduces Megalife-branded maintenance-free roller and conveyor chains. The special characteristics of the Megalife chains allow longer replacement intervals and reduce maintenance costs and downtimes of conveying systems. The chains are used wherever relubrication is not possible or disadvantageous, for example in dry ambient conditions and on installations with restricted maintenance access. This includes conveying systems and applications in the packaging and food industry, in textile machines, in the printing industry, in paper processing and bookbinding, in the electronics industry, in printed circuit-board production, in wood, glass and ceramic processing industries and in medical engineering. 

Megalife chains feature seamless sintered bushes made from a material developed specially for this product. For enhanced tribological properties, the bushes have been hardened and specially treated. The pin features a wear-resistant, friction-optimised surface coating, and the seamless roller has a corrosion-protected surface that is also wear-resistant. Thanks to these properties, the Megalife chains have a longer service life and greater strength than conventional low-maintenance chains. Their components are nickel-plated for corrosion protection and can be used in a temperature range from -40 to +150 °C. The maintenance-free chains can be supplied dry or with additional special lubrication to suit any application. 

The Megalife I series products are suitable for normal chain applications without relubrication at speeds of up to 3 m/s. Under certain conditions, the chains are entirely maintenance-free, can be easily dismantled and can be used in corrosive environments. Using the same range of attachments as iwis' standard conveyor chains, the Megalife chains are fully compatible with the standard products. As well as roller chains, the Megalife I series also includes transfer chain, accumulation chain and grip chain variants. 

The Megalife II series offers a solution for demanding applications with high-speed chain drives running at more than 3 m/s and exposed to high loads. The pins are treated in a special thermochemical process to achieve an exceptional surface hardness and ideal adhesive strength, which improves the chains' wear resistance and lifespan. Being used mainly as drive chains, they are not suitable, however, for corrosive environments.

"Megalife maintenance-free roller and conveyor chains have a much longer service life than conventional low- or zero-maintenance roller chains. Benefits for the customer include fewer downtimes, longer replacement intervals and significantly lower maintenance costs", explains Helmut Spell, Key Account Manager at iwis' headquarters in Munich. "The chains also contribute to sustainability: they are dry, clean and environment-friendly. For the customer that means no need for manual relubrication or lubrication systems as well as lower energy and investment costs and, not least, savings in fossil resources." 

Marketing Manager Irene Christofor-Ziechmann adds that there is plenty of demand for maintenance-free products: "Every year, the number of chain-based conveying applications that are equipped with maintenance-free roller and conveying chains increases by more than 25 percent. Our proven Megalife product series continues to be a market leader in this sector." 

Munich chain specialist iwis supplies a comprehensive product range for all drives and conveying applications. The full product range comprises precision and high-performance roller chains, conveyor chains, maintenance-free and corrosion-resistant chains, accumulation chains, special-purpose conveyor chains, flyer chains, flat-top chains and modular belts for industrial applications, chains and accessories for agricultural machinery, and timing drives for the automotive industry.

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