Energy chains and cables for HUNGEXPO's innovative multi-purpose hall

What was needed: Plastic energy chains of the E4.42 and E2 series as well as chainflex special cables, supplied as a fully harnessed readychain complete system

Requirements: The floor elements required particularly reliable cable guides, failures were to be avoided at all costs and maintenance intervals were to be kept as long as possible. The project also required quick and easy installation.

Industry: Theatre and stage construction

Success for the customer: The energy chains follow the movements of the floor panels smoothly and allow long service life. The chainflex cables are resistant to torsion and wear. Supplied as a pre-assembled readychain energy chain system, it can be installed quickly on site.

HUNGEXPO in Budapest is the largest convention and exhibition centre in Hungary. From 2019 to 2021, the concept of the huge exhibition space was revised so that it now shines in a completely new splendour. The programme also includes a new and modern auditorium with the latest trade show technology.

But the true sophistication behind the 1,800m2 multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 2,048 people only becomes apparent at second glance. This is because the rows of seats, which are located on 43 movable platforms, can disappear under the floor with little effort. This means that a theatre can be converted into a ballroom in just eight minutes. All it takes is one person to operate the sophisticated system and, depending on the specific occasion and space requirements, eight different configurations can be realised.

The machinery that makes all this possible is, of course, located out of sight under the hall floor. And it goes without saying that supplying the extremely mobile rows of seats with energy and signals is anything but easy. The rear rows of the auditorium can move up to five metres in height. Moreover, numerous cables are also required for the lighting and sound system of several rows.
The ambitious project therefore also required a cable guide that would route the large number of cables under the hall floor in a space-saving, safe and permanent manner . Overall, maintenance intervals were to be extended and the installation time of the system kept as short as possible.

Due to the positive joint experience between Hungexpo and igus in previous projects, collaboration was also an obvious choice here. At an early stage of the project, plans were drawn up for the most space-saving and safe cable guide possible, taking into account the surroundings and the machines. After several test installations at the exceptionally challenging locations, the products for implementing the cable guide were finalised and the project could begin.

Since then, dozens of energy chains of the E4.42 and E2 series have formed the centrepiece of the concealed cable guide for visitors to the Expo. The particularly flexible connection between the supply points on the floor and the adjustable rows of seats supports fluid movements and the continuous operation of the mechanics. Control, motor and bus cables from the chainflex range are used in the energy chain.

The cables are specially designed for energy chains and are particularly protected against movement-induced wear and torsion. As they are supplied pre-fitted in the chain – as a so-called readychain complete system – the installation was quick and user-friendly. The result is a cable guide that reliably follows all movements, allows long maintenance-free phases and thus saves the operator costs.