Igus's Iglidur on Tour Campaign Safely Concludes Its Journey Around the World with 56 Lubrication-Free Bearings

The trip is over and "iglidur on tour" has become history. And in what a manner! The orange convertible travelled for over a year and covered more than 100,000 kilometres in four continents. It crossed dusty deserts and visited megacities, braved cold and wet, negotiated potholes in India as well as icy roads in Norway. The mission of the small car: to demonstrate the resilience of the lubrication-free and maintenance-free plain bearings from the motion plastics specialists, igus. Now the Cologne company is drafting a résumé of the one-year journey.

The 'iglidur on tour' vehicle was equipped with igus components in 56 bearing points: the brake pedal, wipers and window mechanism, in the alternator, the seat console, the handbrake, the convertible roof and the carburettor. In January 2014, the long journey began; the convertible visited customers, exhibitions and igus offices worldwide. The first stop was India, where a total of 5,000 km was covered, and in the meantime visited more than 80 customers. Further stops included China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, before it was time for the World Cup in Brazil. After driving through Canada and the United States, the tour traversed Europe, going through France, Great Britain, Poland, Spain, and hardly any country was left out. One day the vehicle was in Switzerland, and in Norway soon after.

Caption: Back in Cologne, the rebuilt parts such as the power windows were removed and the bearings checked for wear.

iglidur on tour live at the Hannover Messe

The tour concluded at the 2015 Hannover Messe. The components of the vehicle were exhibited on site, where the team led by Karl Weinmeister narrated the experiences of the tour to the visitors. Prior to this occasion, the plain bearings were removed and tested extensively for wear. The result of the one-off stress test was clear, albeit not entirely unexpected. "None of the 56 bearings installed showed any severe sign of wear," says Gerhard Baus, authorised representative for plain bearing technology at igus. "But we were sure that the plain bearings would withstand the most diverse range of applications and conditions. The reason for it is not only our long experience in the field of motion plastics, but also the test laboratory in which we carry out more than 10,000 tribological tests a year. In doing so, we give the customer a predictable and tested reliability for his application."

Every second bearing goes to the automotive industry

Around the world, the "iglidur on tour" team asked customers why they chose igus for 'motion plastics'. Among the most frequently mentioned reasons for the choice, the self-lubricating properties of the material and the associated freedom from maintenance, or the resistance to moisture and dirt were prominent. The customers from the automotive sector subjected the small car to close scrutiny. Here the low weight of the polymeric material is considered as a decisive advantage. iglidur plain bearings reduce the weight in each bearing point by a factor of 7, if they replace metallic bearings.

Caption: The first stop of the 100,000-kilometre drive was the AutoExpo in New Delhi. Around 5000 kilometres were covered on the Indian subcontinent alone.

The "iglidur on tour" team has now covered over 100,000 kilometres in 14 months. "It was a great adventure for us too, as a team," says Karl Weinmeister. "We have come to know so many different applications and industries in which motion plastics from igus are used, as well as the different countries and cultures." For each kilometre covered, igus GmbH and its regional offices donated one Euro to charitable projects in the respective regions. Even though the official part of the tour is over, you might be seeing the small orange car from Cologne on the streets.

For more information on e-shell please visit:

http://www.igus.in/wpck/13079/N15_01_19_Wellschlauch_mit_Stuetze?C=IN&L=en

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 tray, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

More Details Contact:

Harish Booshan

Product Manager

E-ChainSystems® & ReadyChains®

igus (India) Private Limited

36/1, Sy. No. 17/3

Euro School Road,

Dodda Nekkundi Industrial Area - 2nd Stage

Mahadevapura Post

Bangalore - 560048

Phone : +91-80-49127809 (Direct)

Visit us on http://www.igus.in

igus sets new standards with fibre optic and CAT7 Ethernet cables

A quick and safe energy and data transmission is particularly important here. At the Hannover Messe, igus presents its particularly versatile and forward looking cable solutions for use in the smart factory. Along with the promise: "3 years' guarantee from the first metre".

For the factory of the future to work, a real-time communication of machines with each other at all levels must be guaranteed. To ensure that all stations can exchange their data with each other, Ethernet cables will be increasingly used in factories. Not just on stationary, but also specifically in moving equipment. For this reason, in the segment of copper-based Ethernet cables, igus offers 23 different types, all of which are designed exclusively for industrial, continuously moving applications, but also the most varied mechanical requirements.

CAT7 Ethernet technology for continuously moving applications

igus will display its new CAT7 cable CFBUS.052 at the fair stand in Hannover. For substantially increasing data safety, it has braided shields, pair shields and an overall braided shield with 90 percent optical cover, which ensure functionality even after millions of bending cycles in energy chains. The special core/braiding structure gives this CFBUS cable a long-lasting flexural strength. "A braided shield made with an optimised braid angle protects the overall shield against mechanical fractures as well as the electromagnetic compatibility of the cable," explains Rainer Rössel, head of the chainflex cables division at igus. The shielded pairs are stranded with an optimised pitch length so that on the one hand they meet high mechanical requirements, and on the other fulfil the electrical requirements in terms of data transmission.

This CAT7 cable is flame retardant like all highly abrasion-resistant TPE CFBUS types. In addition, it has UL/CSA, EAC and CTP certifications and conforms to DESINA. The new cable is furthermore for use in clean room environments

Fibre optic cables; communicate without interference in highly dynamic applications

Due to their immunity to electrical interference and the substantially higher data capacity data transmission over fibre optic cables is of potential importance for Industry 4.0. The range of fibre optic cables, which have also been specially developed for continuous movement, covers all areas of mechanical requirements. For example with the CFLG.2EC series, igus offers an affordable fibre optic cable specifically designed for indoor use in handling or woodworking machines. The CFROBOT5 enables robots to have fail-safe communication in three-dimensional space. With the chainflex fibre optic cable CFLG.LB.PUR, igus also presents a special fibre optic cable series for the continuously moving application in the offshore and marine sectors. They are already available with 2, 4 or 6 optical fibres or 2 optical fibres and 2 power supply wires. The stranded-together multimode or single-mode fibres are very bending-resistant types designed as a sub-cable, which can be fitted very easily and cheaply with connectors. Due to its extremely high strength aramid (Kevlar) braid over the overall stranding, even high tensile forces that may occur in hanging applications do not damage the cable. The flame-resistant, pressure extruded PUR outer jacket, especially tailored for energy chain use, provides additional protection against external mechanical damage. Due to the DNV/GL offshore approval, the new fibre optic cable family, as well as the CAT7 cable, offers the capability to securely transmit data on offshore platforms and ships.

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With the world's first CAT7 Ethernet cable for the movement in energy chains, igus ensures secure data transfer in the factory of the future. (Source: igus GmbH)

For more details please visit: http://www.igus.in/wpck/11509/N14_2_0_Overview_CF?C=IN&L=en

From the Hannover Messe onwards, igus offers a 36-month guarantee for all cables from the first ordered metre.

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 flexible Cable, igubal® spherical bearings, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Igus’s new energy supply system for rotary motion up to 7,000 degrees - lightweight and highly flexible

Rotary motions in machinery can be tricky when managing cables and hoses. In order to protect and guide them safely, igus has expanded its range of energy chains for rotary motion with a "heavy duty" version of its twisterband. The new twisterband HD is an even stronger, compact, spiral-shaped energy chain for circular motion, with rotations of up to 20 rotations possible.

igus has developed the twisterband HD for guiding energy, data and media cables to give operational and functional reliability in rotary motions with high loads. It combines the design features and qualities of the proven twisterchain, a circular energy chain for rotary motion up to a maximum of 360 degrees, with its twisterband, the winner of the Red Dot Design Award. The new twisterband HD combines the strength and stability of the chain with the compactness, flexibility and the rotation angle of the band and therefore fills a gap between the two igus products.

Know more about this product: http://www.igus.in/wpck/7085/TwisterBand?C=IN&L=en

To deliver the "Heavy Duty" (HD) in the new "twisterband HD", the designers at igus have reinforced the band segments significantly and constructed it for more strength and stability. On the other hand, a hinge was developed for the connection of the individual segments, so that the twisterband HD withstands extreme loads with exceptional flexibility and rotational mobility (up to 20 times around its own axis). By using this design to connect the elements, the individual parts can be injection-moulded from the standard igus material for e-chains. The twisterband HD is optimised for temperatures below 0°C and therefore suitable for outdoor use.

Compact design for cable protection in the smallest installation spaces

The twisterband HD guarantees high strength with minimal installation space requirements. The outer diameter of this product is just 300mm, the height starts at 250mm and varies according to the required rotation angle upward. Due to the innovative design, high angles of rotation are possible: horizontally to around 7,000 degrees and vertically to around 3,000 degrees. The design principle also open up the potential for larger versions. But despite this rotational capability, the cables are always well protected. Combined tests with chainflex cables in the igus' in-house lab arrived at a service life of one million rotary cycles and more. The predefined minimum bending radius contributes towards this, preventing damage to cables. The special hinge design enables a fast filling from the outside. Together with the tribo-optimised high-performance plastic of the band, a long service life is ensured even under difficult ambient conditions such as temperatures from -40°C to +80°C. Technically advanced, yet inexpensive, the twisterband HD is the ideal, low wear and low maintenance solution for carrying cables in rotary applications, encased in a compact and tough guiding system.

For more information please visit: http://www.igus.in/energychains?C=IN&L=en

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, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

igus energy chain receives iF design award

igus has once again been recognised by the iF jury with a design award, this time for its new EF2.21 series of energy chains. A one-piece chain link made from fibre-reinforced material yet retaining a flexible crossbar combines high strength, ease of use and low production costs.

"Moving energy made easy" is at the heart of design and production by the plastics expert igus, which now has had 32 recognitions through the iF design award since 1987. The iF design awards rank among the most important design competitions worldwide. Over 4,700 products from 53 countries were submitted for the competition in 2015.

Now the e-chain EF2.21 has been added to the list of award winners by igus. To date openable crossbars were made of a softer material, generally at the expense of strength. Thanks to the integrally moulded hinges made of fibre-reinforced plastic, the EF2.21 combines high strength with low production costs. In addition, it can be snapped open quicklyfor filling with cables and closed again. "Only a few months passed from the first idea for this energy chain to the detailed tests in our laboratory ad on to the award ceremony of the iF design award," says Harald Nehring, Vice Presdident for e-chain systems at igus. "This shows that we not only develop interesting ideas or concepts, but that we implement them quickly as well."

                          

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The 2015 iF product design award was presented to the energy chain EF2.21. The special feature is the integrally moulded hinges using reinforced material, which brings together high strength and low production costs. (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, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

igus presents a new energy supply system

Guidelok slimline P for less weight and more dynamics saves up to 80 percent of the cost 

To be able to always achieve faster accelerations and speeds in aisle travels, igus has developed an energy chain supply system completely made of plastic. This is characterised by low weight and moreover, easy installation.  Visitors to the igus stand at the Hanover Fair in Hall 17 can experience this innovation and more "motion plastics".

igus has advanced its guidelok slimline system once again and now presents the new GLSL-P, which is entirely made of plastic. The guide system for hanging energy chain applications does not require an enclosed channel trough or other elaborate, expensive enclosures and holds the energy chain system as in aisle travels on the railway. Instead, lightweight plastic segments are mounted only every two metres, which saves up to 80 percent trough costs and also weight compared to the previous metal option. Therefore, even faster speeds and accelerations can be achieved. Another advantage of the plastic novelty is that vibrations are absorbed better. "The lightweight guide rails made of fibreglass can easily be plugged into the plastic segments of GLSP-P, hence, implementing the installation completely without tools, leading to a reduction in costs yet again," explains Christian Strauch, industry manager for materials handling at igus.

Image PM0415-1

igus presents its new GLSL-P, a lightweight and affordable guide system, which consists entirely of plastic and is designed for hanging energy chain applications. (Source: igus GmbH)

Secure hold for energy chain system

Two automatically actuated compensators in the segments of the guidelok slimline P fix the e-chain and ensure a quiet, smooth run. If the chain moves in the radius through the segment, the compensator is activated and fixes the energy chain. The innovative locking levers are complemented by open guide rails made of reinforced plastic between the segments, which allows for more dynamics.

For more details please visit: http://www.igus.in/energychains?C=IN&L=en  

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 polymerbearings, igubal® spherical bearings, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Igus launches sliding and rolling hybrid linear bearings in new sizes

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The double roller hybrid bearings in 10 and 16 millimetres complete the hybrid bearings range from igus. (Source: igus GmbH)

Igus, The Cologne-based specialist for lubricant-free bearing technology; has expanded its range of double roller hybrid bearings with two new sizes. The range of hybrid bearings will now be completed with sizes of 10 and 16 millimetres. Lighter and quieter linear running on two rollers -- also for applications with reduced installation space.

The quiet and smooth-running hybrid linear bearings from igus are used not only in camera technology, sliding doors or machine tool doors, but increasingly in cabins for construction machinery, or even for the individual hobbyist's needs. To facilitate the design engineer in their selection, there is the option of two additional sizes of hybrid carriage. Behind the innovative concept of this bearing from igus is the combined advantages of plain and roller bearings. For extremely smooth and almost  silent operation, the concept provides two angularly opposed rollers made of maintenance-free high performance plastics. The rollers take the weight in the main load and ensure low driving forces for manual operation. When misuse or moment forces occur, they will be absorbed smoothly over the sliding element,. thus eliminating the risk of the carriage leaving the rail at the same time the movement of heavy loads becomes possible with minimal effort - all absolutely free of lubricant.

Suitability for the design of smaller installation sizes

"The hybrid bearings available with 20 mm diameter have already proven themselves in practice," says Stefan Niermann, head of the drylin linear and drive technology division at igus. "If only one guide rail is necessary, the user saves considerable space. In this aspect we have now gone one step ahead and offered the double roller hybrid bearings in new, smaller installation sizes of 10 and 16 millimetres.” These allow the design engineer now an even more flexible installation of the bearings, such as for control panels or stage setting installations on double rails and in combination with a complete carriage. Since the hybrid bearings encompass more than 180 degrees, they can also be used on simple shafts.

Ideally suited for manual operation.

Due to the low friction of the hybrid bearing, the required displacement force could be reduced by factor 5. They are therefore ideally suited for manual operation. Since loads up to 100 kg can be easily moved manually, they are ideal for applications in the furniture and office equipment industry (for example, sliding doors) as well as camera and monitor installations. The double roller bearings, which are priced lower than the common rolling solutions in the market, offer an efficient solution and can be ordered as a separate bearing carriage, or as a completely pre-assembled hybrid carriage.

A video of the operation of the double roller hybrid bearing from igus can be viewed at: http://www.igus.in/wpck/10501/drylin_hybridlager_doppelt?C=IN&L=en

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Behind the innovative concept of hybrid bearings is the combination of plain and roller bearings: offering quiet running and smooth motion at the same time. (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, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Igus launches new magnetic adapter that keeps e-chains on track

Many of the innovative products from igus are driven by collaborations with customers for specific projects.

The new “magsnap” magnetic adapter for e-chains is an example of exactly that. The small magnetic adapters, can easily be clipped on the crossbars of energy chains allowing new possibilities for hanging or circular applications.

The new "magsnap" was developed by igus to hold the energy chain run onto a metal surface which prevents the chain from swinging back and forth. This eliminates the need for installing a complete guide trough thereby saving cost, assembly time and weight. "The magsnap can be retrofitted quickly and easily even to existing systems. explains Christian Barthen, Global Product Manager for e-chains at the igus GmbH. "Two small magnetic adapters are simply clipped on to every fifth crossbar of an e-chain." If required, depending on the fill weight of the chain, even more crossbars can be equipped with the clips.

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The small magnetic magsnap clips are attached to the chain to hold it onto a metal surface and prevent the chain from swinging back and forth. (Source: igus GmbH)

Quiet operation in the most varied applications

Possible applications include, material handling, crane applications with hanging energy chains or even fully automatic parking garages. In order to prevent unwanted noise, dampening elements are attached to each magsnap clip, so that the noise due to the attractive force of the magnet is reduced. The magsnap is also suitable for applications with rotary motions, where the chain moves within an enclosure (RBR – Reverse Bend Radius applications). Here the magnetic clips ensure that the chain is held onto the enclosure on the outer radius, allowing a simpler guiding structure.

For more details please visit: http://www.igus.in/energychains?C=IN&L=en

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, DryLin® linear bearings & guide systems enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.