At a Glance. igus E-Chain cable carriers come in three main families used in industrial machinery: E4 — the high-load, heavy-duty series for long travels and high fill weights (e.g. E4.28, E4.42, E4.162); H4 — the classic, all-purpose series for medium travel and moderate speed (e.g. H4.32, H4.42, H4.56); and H4Q — the quiet, low-vibration series for high-speed applications where noise and smooth motion matter. The right family is determined by unsupported travel, fill weight, speed and environmental cleanliness.
1. Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Model | Series | Inner Height | Inner Width | Typical Bend Radius | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E4.28.040.250.0 | E4 | 28 mm | 40 mm | 55–250 mm | Compact, medium-duty machine tools |
| E4.42.400.350.0 | E4 | 42 mm | 400 mm | 75–350 mm | Heavy-duty long travel, cranes, gantries |
| E4.162.600.1000.0 | E4 | 162 mm | 600 mm | 200–1000 mm | Very long travel, container cranes, port machinery |
| H4.32.050.300.0 | H4 | 32 mm | 50 mm | 60–300 mm | Standard machine tools, semiconductor |
| H4.42.050.350.0 | H4 | 42 mm | 50 mm | 75–350 mm | General automation, packaging lines |
| H4.56.050.500.0 | H4 | 56 mm | 50 mm | 100–500 mm | Higher fill weight, automotive assembly |
| H4Q.34.387.300.0 | H4Q | 34 mm | 387 mm | 100–300 mm | High-speed, low-noise, cleanroom |
| E4 / H4 / H4Q share common accessories | — | — | — | — | Chainflex cables, strain reliefs, guide troughs |
2. Decision Guide — Which igus E-Chain Fits Your Application?
- Compact machine tool, short travel (< 5 m), low fill weight? → E4.28 (E4.28.040.250.0) — universal, low cost, fast delivery.
- Long travel (10–50 m), heavy cable bundle? → E4.42 (E4.42.400.350.0) with guide trough or roller chain.
- Container crane / port machinery, very long travel > 100 m? → E4.162 (E4.162.600.1000.0) with reinforced crossbars.
- Standard automation, mid-range travel, mid speed? → H4 family (H4.32.050.300.0, H4.42.050.350.0, H4.56.050.500.0) — broadest catalogue coverage.
- High-speed pick-and-place > 5 m/s, need low noise and cleanroom class? → H4Q (H4Q.34.387.300.0) — quiet, vibration-damped.
- Need to mix hoses + power + signal in segregated chambers? → E4 with dividers (the E4 series has the most accessories for segregation).
- Outdoor or dirty environment? → E4 with enclosed crossbar (top) variant for dust / chip ingress protection.
3. E4 vs H4 vs H4Q — Key Trade-offs
| Aspect | E4 | H4 | H4Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Load / fill weight | Highest (heavy-duty) | Mid | Mid-low |
| Unsupported travel | Up to 6 m (more with glide shoes) | Up to 4 m typical | Up to 3.5 m typical |
| Speed | Up to 12 m/s | Up to 10 m/s | Up to 8 m/s |
| Noise / vibration | Mid | Mid | Lowest |
| Cleanroom suitability | Limited | Limited | Best |
| Cost / metre | High | Mid | High (specialized) |
4. Filling the Chain — Quick Sizing Rule
igus recommends keeping the chain at < 50 % fill ratio with extra < 10 % clearance above the tallest cable, and using the chain inner width to form separated chambers for power, signal and hoses. Use Chainflex cables (igus brand) for longest flex-life; combined warranties are available for matched systems.
5. Quick FAQ
Q: Can I mix E4 and H4 in one application?
Yes — sometimes E4 is used on the long-travel section and H4 on the moving section, but stick to one series where possible for spares simplicity.
Q: Are igus E-Chains oil-resistant?
The standard igumid material is resistant to many cutting oils; for aggressive chemicals, request the special material variant.
Q: Do I need a guide trough?
For travels > 6 m, yes — a guide trough keeps the chain aligned and prevents sag. For shorter travels, unsupported is usually fine.
6. Related Products in Stock
- igus E4.28.040.250.0 — Compact heavy-duty E-Chain.
- igus E4.42.400.350.0 — Long-travel E-Chain.
- igus E4.162.600.1000.0 — Very-long-travel E-Chain for cranes.
- igus H4.32.050.300.0 — Standard H4 E-Chain.
- igus H4.42.050.350.0 — Mid-size H4 E-Chain.
- igus H4.56.050.500.0 — High-fill H4 E-Chain.
- igus H4Q.34.387.300.0 — Quiet low-vibration H4Q E-Chain.
Need help selecting the right igus E-Chain — E4, H4 or H4Q — for your machine or gantry? Request a quote with your travel length, fill weight, speed and environmental requirements; we will size and configure the right E-Chain with Chainflex cables.