The new R2.40 plastic energy tube from igus which is Compact and chip-repellent design

Chip-resistant energy chains, so-called energy tubes, offer cables protection from external influences in dirty environments or inside processing areas. Constructed on the basis of the cost-effective E2-principle (two parts per chain link) made of tribologically optimised plastics from igus, the chip-proof energy tubes of the R2 series also offer, in addition to the advantages of lubricant and maintenance free operation, protection from external dirt accumulation and flying chips. At the Motek igus will present the energy tube in a new size with 40 millimetres inner height to a specialist audience. This can be opened both along the outer radius (R2.40) and in the inner radius (R2i.40), allowing users to choose an option that is the easiest for them when filling the cables and hoses. The lids can be snapped open in either direction and need not be completely removed for filling the tube.

Gentle design for cables and easy on the ear

The contours of the lid of the R2.40 energy tube are smooth and their curvature and tight manufacturing tolerances guarantee that chips do not accumulate between the stop dogs. Smooth inner contours of the energy tube and rounded latching separators made of the same material also protect the cables. The integrated grid design also ensures a firm hold of the interior separation, even in side-mounted applications. With an integrated brake on the individual chain links, the chain runs audibly quieter. Less vibrations means more precise work on the workpiece. With the double stop dogs, the energy tube can absorb high fill weights and can even master long unsupported lengths. The universal mounting brackets of the R2.40 moreover ensure chip protection and also provide comprehensive options for internal strain relief.

The energy tube R2.40 (left) protects moving cables from chips, dust and dirt even in small installation spaces. Like the larger R2.75 (right), it is very easy to open and saves a lot of installation time. (Source: igus GmbH)

Know more about Cable Duct, Track and Applications with E-Chain® at http://www.igus.in/wpck/default.aspx?PageNr=1762&CL=IN-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 Connectors  etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Novel energy supply systems sought: fifth vector award started

Energy chain systems possible areas of use are now vast in scope. They withstand saltwater on ships and oil rigs, prevent the ingress of persistent dust and dirt in materials handling systems or, certified to ISO Class 1, are used in clinically sterile cleanrooms. In order to find the most innovative and novel system in the world, the motion plastics specialist, igus, invites submissions for the vector award every two years. The starting signal was given at this year's Motek exhibition. Users can submit their entries online and present their constructions to the jury with short texts, photos and videos. The winners stand to receive prizes of up to 5,000 euros; the official prize-award ceremony will take place at the Hannover Messe in April 2016.

Every two years, inventive and creative applications for energy supply solutions are honoured with the "vector award", which was initiated by igus. This year is no exception and the official phase for the submission of entries for the prize-award ceremony in 2016 begins at Motek. A jury of experts with representatives from science and technical associations as well as from the specialist press will judge the applications and choose the winners from among the participants. "Even for us, it is sometimes still surprising and exciting to see where and how customers use our e-chainsystems", explained Harald Nehring, responsible for e-chainsystems at igus GmbH. "We therefore want to use this competition to honour new ways of using our products and the innovation of design engineers."

The vector award comes with prizes of up to 5,000 euros. Anyone who has novel or challenging applications with energy chains is invited to take part in the competition, irrespective of what branch of industry they come from. The deadline for entries is 26 February 2016. More information on the conditions of participation is available at www.vector-award.eu. This website also contains an overview of the 195 participants from 28 different countries who took part in the last vector award in 2014 as well as a list of other competitors and winners of the last competition. Here, the variety of submissions from previous years is shown.

Know more about Bearings, Bushings, Anti Friction Bearings at http://www.igus.in/default.asp?PAGE=IGLIDUR&C=IN&L=en

"The vector award promotes new ways of using energy chain systems and honours the courage of the design engineers as well." (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, Journal Bearings etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Small effort, big result! Igus launches Roll energy chain systems up to 100 metres easily by hand

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With the readychain rolling rack, one person can unreel a ready assembled energy chain system with lengths up to 100 metres. (Source: igus GmbH)

With the new readychain rolling rack the motion plastics specialist igus shows how even heavy, harnessed e-chainsystems can be unreeled by just one person allowing  assembly time and costs to be significantly reduced. The complete solution can be used for energy chain systems up to 100 metres in length, for example for gantry cranes.

igus offers reliable, tested energy chains and cables for use in chains as well ready assembled systemsknown as readychains. Especially for long travels, such systems not only saves time in assembly, but primarily offer predictable reliability as well. Customers can rest assured that they are getting a preassembled complete system in which all components are matched to one another for the movement. The new rolling rack now makes the transport and installation of these readychains even easier. The ready assembled chain is rolled up on a drum, which is then mounted on a steel rack. The rolling rack can be easily transported by a forklift to the desired location, and can be unreeled there by just one person. Moreover, transport rollers are available, which make the positioning of the e-chain on the application yet easier. The rolling rack is reusable and as a system is individually adaptable to chain type and reel size.

igus expands its transport system series

With the readychain rolling rack, igus expands its range of clever transport solutions even further. This transport frame readychain rack ensures a safe and quick assembly of the energy chain systems on the machine. If modifications to the machine become necessary, such as attachment of subsequent components, these can be performed at any time due to the modular design of the rack. In this way, the process costs in the prototype phase can be reduced by up to 80 percent, and up to 50 percent over the entire assembly process. Where the application has space constraints, the use of readychain rack light offers an edge length of just 40 millimetres. The light transport rack is so slim that the energy supply system can be used in even small applications, precisely fitting to the machine. The readychain rack is also available as an intelligent readychain rack with rotating traversing units and can be electrically or mechanically positioned on the machine interface.

You can see how easily the readychain rolling rack works here:

https://youtu.be/Fee9bb9IuIA

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igus provides transport systems for readychains, which simplify installation and reduce costs: readychain rack, intelligent rack, readychain rack light, rolling rack (left to right) (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 carrier etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

Twice the service life, same price: igus presents new plastic ball bearings

With the xiros S180 ball bearings, the Cologne-based motion plastics specialist is launching a new series of polymer ball bearings on the market and will present them at the 2015 Motek. The universal bearings have a very low wear, are FDA compliant, have twice the service life compared to the all-rounder xiros B180, and are available at the same price.

xiros plastic ball bearings from igus offer a versatile alternative to metallic solutions. Due to the lubricant-free operation and low weight of the bearing, they are ideal for demanding applications in which these criteria are crucial. As an autumn release in 2015, igus presents the new black material xirodur S180 and offers three installation sizes of the new xiros S180 series. "The ball bearings are available in the dimensions according to DIN 625 for single row deep groove ball bearings 608 with eight millimetre inner diameter, 6000 with ten millimetre inner diameter and 6003 with 17 millimetre inner diameter," explains Marcus Semsroth, head of the xiros polymer ball bearings division. Other sizes are already being planned. The ball bearings consisting of inner race, outer race and the cage that holds the balls made of stainless steel 1.4401, are completely made of the new material, which is manufactured in state-of-the-art injection moulding process. They are also FDA compliant and can therefore be used in all applications involving unpackaged foodstuffs.

Better features, same price

The new material xirodur S180 has properties similar to the known white all-rounder material xirodur B180. "We can offer the new black material xirodur S180 to our customers at the same price as xirodur B180, although it has an even longer service life," promises Marcus Semsroth. Like all other xirodur materials made of friction-optimised high-performance plastics, these cost-effective xirodur B180 and S180 xirodur series are distinguished by their freedom from maintenance and corrosion, high chemical resistance and the low price. The new xiros ball bearings of the xiros S180 series, like the other series, are available from stock at igus and delivered from 24 hours.

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Twice the service life at the same price is promised by the new lubricant-free all-rounder xiros S180 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, cable carrier etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

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.