What are the top 5 benefits of ready-to-install energy chains?

Ready to install: All readychain® systems are assembled at one of the worldwide igus factories. Lifetime guarantee: All readychain® components undergo extensive checks through quality and functional tests. Reduce the number of your suppliers by up to 75%: Lower project planning expenditure and increase efficiency. Flexible production plans: State of the art technology to ensure optimised production. Safeguarded and short delivery times: Our experienced and consistent team guarantees customer satisfaction for high quality at low costs.

Ready-to-Install Cable Carrier System

Q: What are ready to install cable carrier systems, and why should I use them?

Fully harnessed energy chains are complete plug-and-play systems including an energy chain , chainflex® cables , and connectors ( readycable® ) — preconfigured and tested. With igus® readychain® systems, you can reduce installation time by up to 95% while eliminating integration risks.

Q: Why choose readychain®?

igus e-chains® are already being used reliably in hundreds of thousands of applications all over the world. From small devices up to steelworks, or very simple linear applications up to the most complicated task — igus offers thousands of options for all types of applications.There are over 1,300 chainflex® cable types available from stock, each backed by an up-to 36-month, UL-verified service life guarantee. Our cable assemblies can be designed to meet over 20 different manufacturer standards, such as Siemens , Allen Bradley , and Beckhoff .igus handles the entire procurement, assembly, and delivery process, ensuring your readychain® system arrives on time and ready for integration. Whether you're automating packaging machines, gantries , machine tools , or production lines, our systems are designed for seamless plug-and-play installation.

Q: How does igus ensure long service life of its readychain systems?

igus validates every component in its 3,800 m² test lab. Results from these tests are published and fed into the igus service life calculator , allowing accurate lifespan predictions under real-world conditions.

Q: Can I customise a readychain® to my specific application?

Yes. igus allows full customisation — choose from 1,400+ chainflex® cable types, hundreds of energy chain styles, and connectors from all major manufacturers. Use the e-chain configurator to design your system. Contact your local sales engineer to review your application.

Q: What industries benefit most from igus® fully harnessed, ready-to-install energy chains?

All manufacturing industries such as automation, robotics , machine tools , packaging and other motion applications gain the most. These systems are ideal where uptime, predictable service life, and compact installation are priorities.

Q: Are chainflex® cables inside readychains® UL or CE certified?

Yes. Nearly all chainflex® cables carry UL approval, CE conformity, and EAC certification. Many also comply with NFPA 79 and ISO Class 1 cleanroom standards , ideal for regulated or sensitive environments.

Q: What kind of connectors are available with igus® readychains®?

igus supports connector brands like Harting , LAPP, TE, Phoenix Contact among others. Assemblies can include over moulded, field-attachable, or hybrid connectors with customer-specific pinouts and labelling.

Q: What is the turnaround time for a custom readychain® solution?

Custom solution lead times vary based on the complexity of the design.Contact your local sales engineer for current lead times.

Q: How does igus® test for readychain® reliability under dynamic motion?

igus® tests systems at speeds up to 10 m/s and accelerations to 50 m/s² across a range of bend radii, up to 70 million cycles. These parameters ensure readiness for high-performance, continuous-flex environments.

Increase your factory's productivity and improve product quality with readychain®

readychain® is a ready-to-install cable carrier system combining e-chain® cable carriers, chainflex® cables or readycable into a single, plug-and-play solution. igus® manages the entire procurement process and delivers the complete system on your scheduled date. Additionally, we offer on-site installation and personalised customer support.

The advantages of readychain at a glance:

Reduced assembly time - less machine downtime
Harnessing time is reduced by up to 95%
Reduction of manufacturing costs
The number of your suppliers and orders reduced
All components from stock
Procurement optimisation - one system, one part number
Custom readychain systems tailored to your application
Installation service on site
Long service life with a 4 year warranty

Ready to Install Cable Carrier System readychain

Configure your readychain® system online

Still spending valuable time sourcing cable carriers, cables, connectors, and accessories from multiple suppliers? With igus readychain, there's a faster, simpler way.

readychain is a complete, ready-to-install cable management solution that can be configured online to match your exact application requirements. Once configured, your system is fully assembled, tested, and delivered directly from igus UK, ready for immediate installation.

By handling the entire procurement and assembly process, we help reduce project complexity, minimise downtime, and save valuable engineering and purchasing time. No more coordinating multiple suppliers or worrying about compatibility.

Simply configure, order, and install.

Configure your readychain®

readychain® Basic

Ready to Install Cable Carrier System basic readychain

e-chain® with chainflex® cables
Reduces installation time
Reduces failures
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readychain® Standard

e-chain® with readycables®
No electrical termination needed
No cable surplus
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readychain® Standard+

Equipped with electric cables, pneumatic, hydraulic and sensor systems including connectors and mounting plates for fixation
Ready to install, multi-axis system
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readychain® Premium

Equipped with electric cables, pneumatic, hydraulic and sensor systems including connectors
Optimised transport & assembly
Plug & play system
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Take a look at our production: readychain® Factory igus® Cologne

Reduce number of suppliers and orders by 75%

One order - One invoice - One delivery - One partner
Reduce your project planning effort - we take as much work off your hands as possible. Our trained staff will support you every step of the way in realising a smooth readychain® project.

The complete system readychain® minimises the storage and planning of e-chain®, cable and connectors. At the same time, you reduce the number of your suppliers and orders by 75%.

We can answer many questions over the phone and show you all the advantages of readychain® for your company. On site, we record all the necessary data to create precise project planning documents. In doing so, we take a personalised approach to your specific application.

Not just a component manufacturer

From site assessment to system integration, we support all stages of your project

We don’t just supply components—we offer on‑site measurement and concept design, through to engineering, assembly, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Support is available at whatever scale you require.

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Tell us how we can support you

Applications with readychain®

Ready-to-install solutions that utilise e-chain®, chainflex® cables and readycables®

Industry: Civil / transport infrastructure

igus supplies and installs new energy chain system for Fort Augustus swing bridge

What was needed?
A new energy supply system to protect and guide electrical and hydraulic services on a continuously moving structure, replacing a worn and failure‑prone cable carrier system.

Requirements:
Compact, space‑efficient design, high durability, resistance to moisture and corrosion, smooth and quiet operation, reduced mechanical stress, and minimal maintenance in continuous daily use.

Success for the customer:
The energy chain system ensures smooth, reliable movement every time the structure operates. Secure fixing and protected routing drastically reduce wear, prevent snagging and extend service life. Supplied as a robust, pre‑engineered solution, the system minimises maintenance effort, avoids unplanned downtime and delivers long‑term operational security. By extending the life of existing infrastructure rather than replacing it, the solution also supports sustainable operation through reduced material use and fewer future interventions.

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fort augustus swing bridge mechanism installation

Industry: Stage technology & machinery

25 years of loyal service to London's Royal Opera House

What was needed?
New energy supply system including cables for the new LED stage lighting.

Requirements:
Space-saving design, stability and durability, lightweight (<150 kg), smooth running, minimum maintenance requirements.

Success for the customer:
With the new zig-zag system, the Royal Ballet and Opera has an energy supply that is not only reliable and familiar, but has also been perfectly adapted to the high loads in daily theatre operations. igus supplied a completely pre-fitted system consisting of box, e-chains and cables, which could be installed immediately and offers maximum operational reliability. This ensures that the lighting technology remains strong and trouble-free in use over the long term. At the same time, recycling the old energy chains via the igus Chainge recycling programme improves the company's sustainability balance.

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Royal Opera House, London, view of the zig-zag system and auditorium

Industry: Packaging technology

Bread packaging machine: avoid cable breaks with chainflex and smart plastics

What was needed?
E4.1L series energy chain and highly bend-resistant chainflex® cable (control cable and measuring system cable), supplied as a pre-assembled readychain® system, CF.Q isense sensors, connector concept Module Connect, drylin® W linear bearing

Requirements:
Minimum bend radius of only 63 mm, high bending strength cable, high load of up to 80 double strokes per minute.

Success for the customer:
The E4.1L is characterised by high force absorption and is used together with highly bend-resistant chainflex® cables. The i.Sense sensors with CF.Q module detect wire breaks before they occur and save the user high downtime costs.

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Module Connect in the packaging industry

Industry: Crane

Heat and dust: reay-to-install cable carrier system for indoor crane under adverse conditions

What was needed?
Pre-assembled cable carrier for use in a heavy-duty application

Requirements:
Tight installation space, resistance to high temperatures and heavy soiling, trouble-free operation.

Success for the customer:
Quick assembly on the crane bridge by delivering the filled energy chain on transport drums. The very compact chains also do not have to be dismantled or packed for onward transport to the place of use.

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Harnessed energy chains for crane systems

Industry: Robotics

Cable guidance for pick & place robots: safely guided despite a rotating axis

What was needed?
E2 micro series energy chain, designed as a reverse bend radius energy chain and travelling in a rotation module, supplied ready assembled as a readychain®.

Requirements:
Gentle cable routing to the rotating axis with a high number of cycles, in continuous operation, with 360° rotations in less than a second, speeds of up to 7 m/s and accelerations of up to 60 m/s2.

Success for the customer:
The energy chain with reverse bend radius achieves high rotation angles and, thanks to its extremely low weight, supports the robot's high flexibility and fast movements. The failure rate of the cable leading to the A5-axis has been significantly reduced.

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Industry: Building material manufacturing

Cable guidance for dust and dirt

What was needed?
E4.1 energy chain; E4/4 energy chain; pre-assembled readychain®

Requirements:
The environment in the production of concrete and sand-lime bricks is characterised by large amounts of dirt, sand and splash water. The cable ducts therefore had to be extremely stable and reliable. Quick and easy to install systems with a high level of user-friendliness were also important.

Success for the customer:
The robust e-chain system® E4.1 and E4/4 provide the machine specialist with safety despite abrasive dust and dirt. They also have a modular design and are particularly easy to install.

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Energy chains for building material manufacturing

Industry: Automation machine tool

Automated loading of machining centres with the help of harnessed energy chains

What was needed?
Reliable solution for the automated loading of the MH HEIDI machining centre.

Requirements:
Space-saving solution and small bending radii, high load capacity, dynamics.

Success for the customer:
Time savings during assembly, reliable machine operation in automatic mode thanks to the ready-to-install cable assembly system.

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Industry: Aerial work platforms

Safe and reliable energy supply in lifting work platforms with readychain®

What was needed?
Ready-to-install cable assembly system solution.

Requirements:
Harsh environmental conditions, long unsupported length.

Success for the customer:
The ready-to-install, pre-assembled energy chains can be replaced quickly during maintenance work and no assembly work is required.

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Industry: Machine tool construction

80% less working time thanks to readychain

What was needed?
energy chain of type E4.1L, energy chain of type E4/light, both designed as pre-assembled readychain®, chainflex® cable

Requirements:
As the machine takes up just seven square metres, the chains also had to fit into a small installation space. It also had to be assembled quickly.

Success for the customer:
The pre-assembled energy chains save the customer 80% of the installation time. The first machine with the readychain® has been in operation 24 hours a day, six days a week for more than 18 months without any problems.

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Ready-to-install energy chains for machine tools

Frequently asked questions regarding pre-assembled energy chains

Fully harnessed energy chains are complete plug-and-play systems including an energy chain, chainflex® cables, and connectors (readycable®) — preconfigured and tested. With igus® readychain® systems, you can reduce installation time by up to 95% while eliminating integration risks.

igus e-chains® are already being used reliably in hundreds of thousands of applications all over the world. From small devices up to steelworks, or very simple linear applications up to the most complicated task — igus offers thousands of options for all types of applications.

There are over 1,300 chainflex® cable types available from stock, each backed by an up-to 36-month, UL-verified service life guarantee. Our cable assemblies can be designed to meet over 20 different manufacturer standards, such as Siemens, Allen Bradley, and Beckhoff.

igus handles the entire procurement, assembly, and delivery process, ensuring your readychain® system arrives on time and ready for integration. Whether you're automating packaging machines, gantries, machine tools, or production lines, our systems are designed for seamless plug-and-play installation.

Ready to install: All readychain® systems are assembled at one of the worldwide igus factories.
Lifetime guarantee: All readychain® components undergo extensive checks through quality and functional tests.
Reduce the number of your suppliers by up to 75%: Lower project planning expenditure and increase efficiency.
Flexible production plans: State of the art technology to ensure optimised production.
Safeguarded and short delivery times: Our experienced and consistent team guarantees customer satisfaction for high quality at low costs.

igus validates every component in its 3,800 m² test lab. Results from these tests are published and fed into the igus service life calculator, allowing accurate lifespan predictions under real-world conditions.

Yes. igus allows full customisation — choose from 1,400+ chainflex® cable types, hundreds of energy chain styles, and connectors from all major manufacturers. Use the e-chain configurator to design your system. Contact your local sales engineer to review your application.

All manufacturing industries such as automation, robotics, machine tools, packaging and other motion applications gain the most. These systems are ideal where uptime, predictable service life, and compact installation are priorities.

Yes. Nearly all chainflex® cables carry UL approval, CE conformity, and EAC certification. Many also comply with NFPA 79 and ISO Class 1 cleanroom standards, ideal for regulated or sensitive environments.

igus supports connector brands like Harting, LAPP, TE, Phoenix Contact among others. Assemblies can include over moulded, field-attachable, or hybrid connectors with customer-specific pinouts and labelling.

Custom solution lead times vary based on the complexity of the design.

Contact your local sales engineer for current lead times.

igus® tests systems at speeds up to 10 m/s and accelerations to 50 m/s² across a range of bend radii, up to 70 million cycles. These parameters ensure readiness for high-performance, continuous-flex environments.

igus® designs readychains® with tight bend radii and optimised fill percentages, reducing system footprint. Custom bracket designs also help adapt to limited mounting space while protecting cables.

igus® customers typically reduce total system costs due to reduced design time, minimised rework, increased throughput, decreased logistics costs and faster installations. There’s also lower risk of miswiring or early failure.

Yes. igus® offers triflex® R robotic cable management with integrated chainflex® torsion-rated cables, retraction systems, and pre-pinned connectors for 6-axis robots.

igus offers i.Sense condition monitoring and i.Cee predictive maintenance tools to track wear and prevent unplanned downtime through real-time analytics.

Every readychain® undergoes 100% electrical and mechanical QA. Tests include cable continuity, pinout validation, strain relief integrity, and visual inspection. Documentation is available on request. All cable and wire harness assemblies are made to IPC/WHMA-A-620E standards.

Every harnessed cable in our readychains® is 100% tested before leaving our factory. This covers continuity and HIPOT tests, removing risk and giving you confidence in your assembly.