Future developments

In the field of energy chains

A key trend in the future of energy chains is the development and use of advanced materials. The use of high-performance materials that are lighter and more resistant at the same time can extend the service life of energy chains and reduce maintenance intervals. Increasing attention is also being paid to sustainable materials and resource-saving manufacturing processes. Recyclable plastics and bio-based polymers are becoming more prominent in order to minimize the industry's ecological footprint. Companies are increasingly turning to “green” solutions to meet rising environmental requirements.

The increasing digitization of industry, known as Industry 4.0, is also promoting the development of intelligent energy chains. Energy chains of the future will be equipped with sensors capable of monitoring wear, temperature, and mechanical stress in real time. This sensor integration enables predictive maintenance, in which wear and potential faults are detected at an early stage. This helps to avoid unplanned downtime and costly stoppages. The energy chains then communicate directly with the central control systems and provide important data for optimizing operational processes. Such smart energy chains will make operations more efficient and safer.

Energy chains are becoming increasingly modular and adaptable to the specific needs of different industries. Modular designs allow energy chains to be easily expanded or adapted to changing production environments without having to replace entire systems. This flexibility not only saves costs, but also increases cost-effectiveness and enables rapid adaptation to customer requirements. Future developments could produce energy chains that are even easier and faster to assemble without compromising stability or resilience.

With the focus on sustainability, the energy efficiency of energy chains is also playing an increasingly important role. Future designs will aim to minimize friction resistance and thus reduce energy consumption. Lighter materials and optimized geometries can make the movements of energy chains smoother and more efficient, resulting in lower mechanical stress. In addition, technologies are being developed that make it possible to recover and reuse the kinetic energy generated in the movements of energy chains, which could further contribute to increased efficiency.

While large energy chains are still in demand in heavy industry, there is also growing demand for miniaturized and high-precision energy chains that are used in smaller and more sensitive applications, such as medical technology or micromechanics. These energy chains must not only be extremely flexible and lightweight, but also meet high standards of precision and reliability. At the same time, manufacturers are developing high-performance chains for extreme applications such as high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, or particularly demanding environments, for example in the offshore industry.

A far-reaching vision for the future of energy chains is the use of self-healing materials that can repair themselves after damage. Although such technologies are still in the early stages of development, they could contribute to dramatically increasing the service life and reliability of energy chains in the future.

The LQ Group is a leading provider of customized energy chain solutions that meet the requirements of modern industry. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, the LQ Group offers energy chains that not only guarantee maximum performance and durability, but also comply with the latest developments in sustainability and digitalization. Their solutions are flexibly adaptable and support companies in making their production processes more efficient and safer. The manufacture of complete, ready-to-install energy supply systems is one of our core competencies.