Igus launches tribo filaments minimum 50 times better wear resistance than conventional 3D print filaments

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igus tests the abrasion resistance of 3D print filament iglidur J260 in comparison with ABS and injection-molded parts in their test laboratory.
(Source: igus GmbH)

With high-performance plastics and additive manufacturing, two modern technologies which combined promise maximum freedom in construction and high abrasion resistance meet. In the igus test laboratory, tribological filaments of iglidur material J260 went up against conventional 3D print filaments (ABS) and injection-molded parts of the same igus material. Intensive linear and rotating test runs were carried out and evaluated in the in-house test laboratory on hardened, ground shafts of both steel and stainless steel over a period of several months. Because additive manufacturing with lubricant- and maintenance-free high-performance plastics is still a comparatively young field, the material experts at igus GmbH encountered an open-ended experiment.

Tribo-filament comes out ahead of ABS material

The result was surprising. It was clear that in both the linear and rotating tests, the abrasion resistance of bearings printed with tribological filament were comparable to the classical injection-molded components, even on both shafts. Thus where abrasion resistance is concerned, the printed components are almost on a par with the injection-molded components. Once again, the tests also clearly demonstrated that in comparison with conventional 3D print materials, the coefficients of friction for tribological filament are especially low. Thus in experiments pitting ABS against tribological filament, the rotating test on the stainless steel shaft even resulted in complete failure of the ABS part, while friction loss for tribological filament was still low. With these actual tests, the testers could demonstrate yet again how motion plastics play out their strengths in movement, even in 3D print. This is why it is possible for printed parts such as bearings or worm gears to be directly installed and used across industries.

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Result of the test marathon: Here, the low abrasion rate of the tribological filament iglidur J260 comes out ahead in linear and rotational movement. (Source: igus GmbH)

Now 3D print your parts with igus

For igus, additive manufacturing is one more step to give the design engineer the greatest possible freedom in construction with lubricant- and maintenance-free plastics. The motion plastics specialist igus already introduced the world's first tribological filament for 3D printers last year, and has now expanded the series to a total of four materials. Since the Hannover Messe, igus has also offered a 3D print service. Customers can turn to igus with their 3D data and have their parts printed quickly and without complications. Delivery times for printed parts depend primarily on the complexity of the components; still, here too the goal is delivery within 24 hours.

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With a selection of four tribological filaments and the 3D print service, igus offers customers the possibility to print maintenance and lubrication free special parts and small series.  (Source: igus GmbH)

About igus India

igus® operations in India started in the year 1998 with head quarters in Bangalore. igus offers widest range of products that includes polymer bearings, igubal® spherical bearings, flexible conduit etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Igus launches new energy supply system helps safe retraction without loops

The motion plastics specialist igus has developed a lightweight and cost-effective concept for the automatic retraction of energy chains allowing further advances in robotics. Besides carrying energy, data and media cables, industrial robots nowadays also frequently carry supply hosesfor rivets or screws. The new triflex RSE system prevents looping of the energy chain, allowing these materials to be safely supplied to the end of the robot arm.

The triflex R series has been designed by igus specifically for highly dynamic industrial robotic applications and as a multi-axis energy chain it can move in all directions in space. The universal triflex chains made from high-performance plastics work in even the most demanding industrial environments, are easy to install and can quickly be filled with cables from the outside. They also have high tensile and torsion strength. "However, since nowadays it is not only just electrical and pneumatic cables that are conducted on the robot, but also often supply hoses for bolts, rivets or screws, tight bends or hanging loops can sometimes cause problems," says Jörg Ottersbach, industry manager for robotics at igus. "Any reduction in the minimum allowable bend radius of the supply hoses can lead to a fault, reducing the efficiency of the process. - In the worst case a rivet or a screw gets stuck in the supply hose, which then leads to a plant standstill." With its linear retraction of the e-chain, the triflex RSE retraction system offers an efficient and cost-effective solution that requires no curve, spring rods or deflecting rollers.

Sleek design with direct control on the robot

The extremely light system is based on the proven lubrication and maintenance free drylin linear guide from igus, where a moving carriage transports the chain on a retraction distance of up to 600 millimetres. Elastic cords pull back the extended chain automatically. Thus the looping of the energy chain is prevented. In this way the service life can be significantly increased.

The self-guiding retraction system is designed for the enclosed or snap open triflex chain versions TRC, TRE and TRCF in sizes from 60 to 125 millimetres in diameter. They are retained by means of a mounting bracket and a glide-through bracket on the system, which in turn can be easily fitted to a variety of robot types. Since the triflex RSE directly guides and controls the e-chain on the robot and no other deflections are needed, the required length of the cable and chain is reduced. For this reason triflex RSE is not only space-saving and light, but is also a cost-effective solution.

Read more about energy chains at: http://www.igus.com/energychains?C=US

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The lightweight and affordable triflex RSE retraction system is based on a lubrication and maintenance free drylin linear guide from igus. A moving carriage transports the chain, elastic cords keep it under tension and retract it automatically. (Source: igus GmbH)

About igus India

igus® operations in India started in the year 1998 with head quarters in Bangalore. igus offers widest range of products that includes polymer bearings, igubal® spherical bearings, cable track  etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Igus Introduces Lead Screw Nuts in Five Different High-Performance Plastics Available from Stock

Five different materials for drive nuts to enable the right product for any application. This includes nuts for trapezoidal and high helix thread, in cylindrical design or with various flange options. The matching lead screws that users can combine to the desired length is also offered by igus in steel, stainless steel or aluminium. Thus adjustments of all kinds can be easily made. Of most interest to the machine tool industry are the materials iglidur W300 and iglidur J350 and the low cost material iglidur R.

Different needs require different materials

The endurance runner iglidur W300 is characterised by its high load capacity and high wear resistance. It retains its features even in abrasive environments and is therefore suitable for use in the interior of machine tools. iglidur J350 is recommended for the industry because of its temperature resistance up to 150 degrees Celsius. In combination with lead screws made of steel, the material also achieves low friction and guarantees a long service life.

'Safe use with simultaneous cost optimisation. The material iglidur R low-cost option of the drylin screw drive combines together durability, freedom from lubrication and an attractive price.

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The full range of drylin drive nuts covers five different materials in different dimensions. (Source: igus GmbH)

Like all plastics from igus, drylin screw drives have integrated solid lubricants, thus enabling a lifelong operation without external lubrication. Lead screw and nut thus remain dry during operation, whereby no dirt can stick on them. Thus, the drylin screw drives are very well suited for use in machine tools. Using the online configurator of the drylin threaded nuts, users can find the right product:

www.igus.in/screwdrives-productfinder

About igus India

igus® operations in India started in the year 1998 with head quarters in Bangalore. igus offers widest range of products that includes polymer bearings, igubal® spherical bearings, Polymer plain bushings etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.