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.

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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. 

Major investment in plain bearings by igus

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The plastic plain bearings specialist igus has expanded its plain bearings range by another eleven full product range materials. For each of these materials, there are 110 dimensions up to 50 mm diameter immediately

Designers from various industries—automotive, food & packaging,  to manufacturers of chemical plants and pumps— can find the igus dry running plain bearings for their application now even faster. With the increase from five to 16 full product range materials and 1,321 new standard dimensions, the plastics specialist now covers all conceivable demands on plain bearings that can be delivered immediately from stock.

With this investment, igus is responding to the tremendous advances made in its own development of new plain bearing materials. Due to the rapid market readiness, bearings made of the most suitable material were so far not always available from the appropriate dimension. This gap has now been closed by igus. All materials ideally suited for an application from a tribological standpoint can now be supplied from stock. The existing product ranges have been extended by eleven materials, so that for each material more than 110 dimensions up to 50 mm diameter will be available from stock. The DIN-listed dimensions are available in 16 tribo-materials. The user is therefore in a position,  to order the ideal plain bearing for each individual application

The best bearing immediately available

In injection moulding, different moulds are required for the different materials even with identical dimensions. This new service, means the production of an injection mould for every dimension of this range. "With this investment, we want our customers to get their required plastic plain bearings in any quantity and at the best price," says Gerhard Baus, authorised officer for plain bearings at igus. “Our goal is to be able to offer the most suitable iglidur plain bearing for every application immediately from stock." In order to accurately determine the correct bearing for your application, igus offers a calculation tool on its website, after entering the parameters and dimensions, the expert system displays the appropriate products with their prices. The service life is calculated and the results are given for every material.

Result of continuous research & development

Among the 16 different full product range materials available now, there are, those such as the, high-tech polymer iglidur Q2 for heavy loads, or iglidur Z for extremely high temperatures. Three new FDA-suitable materials alone have been added which are especially suited for the packaging industry. All 16 materials are now offered in the standard dimensions DIN ISO 3547-1 up to 50 mm diameter. For DIN dimensions larger than 50 millimetres, the same strategy is followed; the moulds of these larger dimensions are produced when there is a specific requirement from the customer. Numerous materials - especially the previous standards iglidur G, J, W300, X and M250 - are now also available from stock in diameters up to 150 millimetres.

For information please visit: http://www.igus.in/iglidur?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.

Print your own components for moving applications with the new tribo-filaments from igus

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Tribo-expert igus offers several components for 3D printers -- from plain bearings and energy supply systems to friction and wear-optimised filaments. (Source: igus GmbH)

3D printing offers users new ways to print objects with complex designs. This is a good alternative, especially for designers, to manufacture components using the latest low cost technology. igus, the tribo-expert, manufactures suitable linear systems for use in 3D printers, but also the right printing filament. With the iglidur I180-PF, igus now introduces an advanced filament that is easier to process which means that real components for real applications can also be easily manufactured and used immediately.

After the world's first tribo-filament for 3D printers was premièred at the Hanover Show, igus; specialist for 'plastics in motion', now offers its second filament that has been optimised for friction and wear. "iglidur I180-PF, the new material from our 3D filament range, is even easier to process than the iglidur I170-PF material presented at the Hanover Show, because it has a higher elasticity," says Tom Krause, Product Manager for iglidur tribo-filaments at igus. "It is now already available in 1.75 or 3 millimetre diameter." The tribo-filaments from igus are up to 50 times more abrasion-resistant than materials that are traditionally used in 3D printers. These special materials are the result of years of research conducted in the igus test lab, where all products are put through their paces, so that service life, coefficients of friction and wear, can be reliably predicted.

Components for 3D printer

The filaments, and other 'motion plastics' products from igus are also suitable for use in 3D printers for axis. For instance, igus has recently released the low-priced solid plastic bearing drylin RJ4MP. The bearing made of wear-resistant igus plastic, iglidur J4, has the dimensions of the so-called compact "Japanese standard", which has in the meantime established itself as a popular size for linear guides in 3D printers. Like all products of the drylin linear and drive systems, the new solid plastic bearing operates completely dry and without external lubrication and maintenance. This reduces costs due to reduced downtimes through routine lubrication and maintenance. The complete drylin E systems have already established themselves. They are delivered including a stepper motor in a variety of designs and can be installed immediately. In addition to plain bearings, lead screws, and linear plain bearings, igus also offers compact energy chains for use in 3D printers. The  E2 micro series is available in over 180 different variations. Designed for horizontal, vertical, hanging or standing, circular or lateral movements – the E2 micro can be attached easily to the machine using various mounting bracket options. A chain opener is always included in the delivery for the openable models.

For information please visit: http://www.igus.in/wpck/10783/3Dprinting?C=IN&L=en

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After the world's first tribo-filament for 3D printers has been premièred at the Hanover Trade Fair, igus as a specialist for 'plastics in motion' now offers its second filament that has been optimised for friction and wear. (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.