From Car Lifts to Concert Stages: The Evolution and Impact of Rigid Chain Technology

Rigid Chain Technology is a bit of a hidden gem in the engineering world, often flying under the radar despite its long history. Many engineers are still discovering its incredible potential for advanced lifting and moving of heavy loads.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look into Rigid Chain Technology and see how SERAPID has brought their unique invention into the modern era. With insights from SERAPID experts, we’ll explore its history, design principles, and unique capabilities.

The Power of Pushing and Pulling

Rigid Chain Technology might seem unbelievable to those accustomed to the limitations of traditional chains, such as those found on hoist systems or bicycles. The rigid chain can both push and pull, making it particularly valuable in linear motion systems.

As the name suggests, this technology features a unique type of chain that can coil, yet also become rigid, like a steel column. It accomplishes this through interlocking links that lock together when pushing or lifting a load.

When the chain links engage, they lock together, forming a solid bar capable of lifting up to 15 tons per chain. With multi-unit systems easily lifting several hundred tons. This design allows for precise telescopic movement of heavy loads both horizontally and vertically with remarkable efficiency and repeatable positioning. 

3D animation detailing how Rigid Chain Technology works.

A Legacy of Innovation: The Birth of Rigid Chain

The story of Rigid Chain Technology stretches back over a century. Its roots lie in the development of “chain rammers” used in early cannons. In 1901, Robert Matthews patented a “Mechanical Rammer” that employed a single chain to load heavy ammunition, further refined by Oscar Knoch’s “Chain Rammer for Guns” patent in 1908.

Fast forward to 1972, and French company SERAPID took the concept to new heights. They pioneered the use of articulated chains within a track system, electromechanical power, and magazine storage system, creating the robust and versatile Rigid Chain Technology we see today.

SERAPID’s innovation quickly gained international recognition. Their technology found applications in automotive manufacturing, stage engineering, aircraft assembly, and medical equipment. 

By the 1980s, SERAPID had expanded across Europe and by the 1990s, into North America. Most recently, SERAPID has extended its reach to Asia, opening offices in China to serve the Asian market.

SERAPID's USA office meets the demand for engineering, design, manufacturing and installation of rigid chain systems in North America.

The Key Advantage of SERAPID’s Rigid Chain Technology

SERAPID combines innovative mechanical design with robust electromechanical components to provide reliable and versatile linear motion in its Rigid Chain Technology products. 

The electromechanical drive system, consisting of electric motors, gears, and controls, ensures smooth and efficient extension and retraction processes.

Additionally, its unique telescopic operation means that the chain can extend outward to move a load, release the load, and then retract back into a compact form. It’s what allows the chain to function in confined spaces and leave the area free for other uses when not in operation.

Bob Adams,  PhD. of Mechanical Engineering and Lecturer at Oakland University, lays out how Rigid Chain Technology creates a metastable structure for lifting.

SERAPID products can be employed with or without guides, offering flexibility in various applications. 

• With guides: Allows for practically unlimited strokes and maximum weight limit.
• Without guides: Used for shorter distances and offer more compact systems.

In either case, the chain becomes completely rigid when the links lock. The coiled chain can be stored in a multi-return magazine, minimizing space usage and reducing the overall length to a compact unit. 

This results in significant space optimization, enabling facilities to maximize their footprint by occupying space only when needed.

Standing Out From the Crowd: Rigid Chain vs. the Rest

Traditional linear movement systems like pneumatics or hydraulics can struggle with long distances, imprecise movement, tight spaces, and environmental impact. In contrast, rigid chain offers a superior solution:

• Electromechanical Power: Offers efficient and reliable power, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs compared to hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Higher Weight Limit: Rigid chain actuators handle much heavier loads than traditional actuators like ball screws or rack and pinion systems.
• Precision Movement: Locked chain links ensure precise movement, eliminating play or drift in lift systems.
• Telescoping Capability: Ideal for saving space in die transfers, navigating uneven surfaces, and even powering a 40-meter welding boom crane.
• Long-Lasting Performance: Unaffected by temperature fluctuations or environmental factors, rigid chain systems provide impressive durability.
• Eco-Friendly Operation: Unlike hydraulic systems, rigid chains require no environmentally unfriendly fluids to operate, making them “clean and green.”

Get more details and a free Comparison Chart to explore further differences in traditional linear movement systems. 

SERAPID Rigid Chain Technology in Use

SERAPID rigid chain products are widely used across various industries due to their reliability and adaptability to different needs.

Video highlighting various proven examples of Rigid Chain Technology used in practice.

• • Vehicle Lifts: Ideal for situations where space is limited, such as vehicle repair shops and parking structures due to their small footprint and lack of a machine room requirement.
  • Stage Systems: Used in theaters, opera houses, and other performance venues to seamlessly move stage elements and platforms as well as transform modular venues. 
  • Automotive Manufacturing: The SERAPID HD Lift is used for high cycle lifting of heavy loads in the automotive industry, and is known as the industry standard for manufacturing. 
  • Quick Die Exchange: In the metal stamping industry, used in die handling carts to move heavy dies precisely and efficiently, with some systems capable of handling loads of up to 100 tons.
  • Horizontal Movement in Manufacturing: Creating linear transfer systems that move heavy loads horizontally in factories, ensuring reliable and precise operation.
  • Vertical Movement: Lifting Heavy Loads: SERAPID Rigid Chain Technology is known for it’s powerful lifting without the use of hydraulics for safe, clean, accurate lifting with repeatable positioning. 

The Future of Linear Motion Systems

As industries evolve, the demand for precise, high-capacity lifting and moving solutions continues to grow. Rigid Chain Technology, with its ability to handle heavy loads with precision and its environmental advantages over traditional systems, is well-positioned to lead this transformation. 

With ongoing advancements and expanding global reach, SERAPID's innovations are set to define the future of linear motion systems, offering tailored solutions that meet the complex demands of modern manufacturing, stage engineering, and beyond.

Click the button below to see the many ways industries are using SERAPID’s Rigid Chain Technology.