Improvements in additive manufacturing materials and processes make creating production-grade, functional wear parts possible while unlocking greater design flexibility. By Preston Souza, Product Manager, igus Inc. Historically, the choice between injection molding and additive manufacturing has been clearcut when it comes to producing functional plastic parts. The materials available for additive manufacturing didn’t have adequate […]
igus announces opening of new Michigan-based enjoyneering Center
igus, the Germany-based motion plastics technologies company — has announced the opening of its new “enjoyneering” center in the Detroit Metro area. Located in Bloomfield Hills, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, customer support, and training, all centered around igus’ expertise in motion plastics. The grand opening of the igus enjoyneering…
Hannover Messe: igus ramps up its AI app
At last year’s Hannover Messe, igus CEO Frank Blasé showed off the company’s brand-new igusGO app, a brilliant use of AI to help customers identify where igus products could be implemented on a particular machine. He demonstrated taking a photo of a nearby bicycle, which the app correctly identified, and then showed the various bearing…
New igus Smart Fixed flange bearings unlock predictive maintenance
Constructed from self-lubricating, high-performance plastic, the bearings feature an integrated abrasion sensor, thin circuit board, and cableless battery supply. Wear interrupts the board’s conductor paths, causing the electronics to lose the signal. The sensor then transmits a long-range network signal to an igus i.Cee switch cabinet module for analysis, including the percentage of abrasion. Over […]
New igus Smart Fixed Flange Bearings unlock predictive maintenance
igus, a global manufacturer of motion plastics, has developed intelligent two- and four-hole fixed flange bearings with wireless sensing capabilities for wear detection, enabling condition monitoring and preventing costly machine breakdowns. Constructed from self-lubricating, high-performance plastic, the bearings feature an integrated abrasion sensor, thin circuit board, and cableless battery supply. Wear interrupts the board’s conductor […]
Smart fixed flange bearings unlock predictive maintenance
igus has developed intelligent two- and four-hole fixed flange bearings with wireless sensing capabilities for wear detection, enabling condition monitoring and preventing costly machine breakdowns. Constructed from self-lubricating, high-performance plastic, the bearings feature an integrated abrasion sensor, thin circuit board and cableless battery supply. Wear interrupts the board’s conductor paths, causing the electronics to lose […]
igus launches AI-powered igusGO app
igus, a global manufacturer of motion plastics, has developed igusGO, a free mobile app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help users find the ideal motion plastics products and technologies for their application. The app allows users to take a simple photo of their equipment or application — whether it’s a coffee machine, bottling line,…
Predictive Maintenance vs Preventive Maintenance
Balancing Costs & Risks for Optimal Machine Performance By Jared Worth, Content Writer Any maintenance schedule serves the purpose of keeping machinery running as long as possible and without defects. However, there are different types of maintenance schedules that take various approaches to the process. Two of the most common are predictive maintenance and preventive…
Position ready-to-install e-chain cable carriers easily, quickly, and accurately
igus has introduced the fast positioner assembly helper tool to its readychain service. Installation downtime is costly for production companies. To simplify and accelerate energy supply system installation for customers, igus offers the readychain® service – pre-assembled e-chain systems with integrated cables, connectors, and components. This turnkey solution from a single vendor delivers quality-checked, harness-filled […]
igus launches AI-powered igusGO app for enhanced machine optimization
igus, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics, has developed a new AI-powered search application, igusGO, that employs artificial intelligence to showcase the optimization potential of their motion plastics technology for over 450 industrial applications. The free app allows users to simply take a photo of their application, whether it’s a coffee machine, a bottling plant,…
Low-cost igus carriage for curved rail made of recycled high-performance plastic
igus, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics, announced a new line of polymer carriages for curved rails. The carriages are injection-molded from regranulated high-performance plastic and are cost-effective and sustainable. The new polymer carriages from the igus drylin® econ series make adjustment and positioning tasks simple and cost less than 20% of what their milled…
Tell igus how you use energy supply systems before February 9, 2024
igus, the German-based manufacturer of motion plastics, announced that applications are now being accepted for the ninth igus vector award. The deadline for applications is February 9, 2024. The igus vector award honors design engineers and project managers worldwide for the creative and courageous use of igus energy supply systems and high-performance cables in unique […]
igus introduces new plain bearing made of plastic regranulate
The motion plastics specialist igus® has introduced a new plain bearing made from recycled plastic. The bearing, iglide® ECO P210, is a chemical-resistant variant that has been added to the company’s iglide ECO series. The iglide ECO series is manufactured using regranulate made from the sprue and defective injection-molded parts produced by igus. This allows […]
Configure and order individual CNC parts online in just three minutes
igus is adding new functions to its online CNC Service 2.0, including live feasibility analysis and service life prediction Sometimes, things need to happen very quickly. For example, when maintenance of a machine is due, but the required component is not in stock. With the igus online CNC Service 2.0, orders for turned and milled…
Swimming pool on demand
With the push of a button, a luxury swimming pool can be transformed into a walkable terrace. The key is a moving pool bottom from Conmag Engineering. But what linear technology works reliably and with little maintenance underwater? The engineers found the answer at igus, saving around $34,000 per system in the process. When the…
Electrostatically dissipative variant added to e-skin flat energy chains
igus has added an ESD variant specifically for highly sensitive cleanrooms to its e-skin flat series. The modular ribbon cable’s new material prevents the chain from becoming electrostatically charged while ensuring it generates no particles, even during fast movements. The modular design with individual pods also allows quick energy supply system filling. In addition to […]
As fine as a human hair: new igus micro gears with 0.2 module
Engineers around the world are designing increasingly compact products. To meet their needs, igus®, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics, has developed micro gears with modules down to 0.2. The gear teeth have dimensions very close to that of human hair. However, thanks to high-performance plastics, they still allow low-wear, precise movements for high-quality products…
Automation in the food service industry with igus: Space saver for cramped spaces
It conjures up fresh and healthy dishes without human assistance and is intended to relieve restaurateurs of the pressure of the shortage of skilled workers: the robotic kitchen from the French company Cook-e. So that the electromechanical cooking artist can also swing the pots in restaurants with little space, the developers rely on compact and […]
Tour: One fast way to design and buy low-cost automation
Performance-plastics component and system manufacturer igus Inc. recently brought their mobile-exhibition roadshow to Cleveland where we Design World editors got the chance to rendezvous with some of their engineers and sales team. igus has used mobile exbits for several years but temporarily halted them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently igus resurrected its roadshow program to […]
The igus Mobile Exhibition comes to town
Tradeshows are always evolving, and after the massive changes that the Covid-19 pandemic forced on the industry, we saw a cratering in attendance and then a massive rebound. We also learned that sometimes, smaller is better — and where our personal workplace was could mean different, more flexible things. Flexibility came to mind after experiencing…
New two-component injection-molded heavy-duty plain bearings from igus for high mechanical loads
igus, a leading global manufacturer of engineered components to increase the service life of customers’ machines, has introduced a new two-component injection-molded heavy-duty plain bearing for high mechanical loads. A first for the construction machinery and agricultural machinery industry: With the new iglide Q3E plain bearings, igus has, for the first time, found a way […]
igus roadshow rocks out in Cleveland
igus recently stopped by Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to exhibit its plethora of products and services to local customers (and curious passersby). Make Parts Fast and the Design World editorial team had the pleasure of interviewing igus experts on its latest innovations. Here’s what DeAngelo Barrow, regional sales manager at igus, explained […]
Maintenance-free performance in underwater conditions with igus
Did you know that iglide plastic bushings and drylin linear plain bearings are the perfect fit for marine applications? Not only do they have embedded solid lubricants, eliminating the need for messy external oil or grease, but they are also corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free. Whether you’re in wet or saltwater environments, our iglide and drylin bearings […]
igus mobile exhibition visiting Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
igus’ mobile exhibition trade show will be stopping outside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Tuesday, September 19. The exhibition will be stationed outside the Hall of Fame from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The mobile exhibition brings the trade show experience directly to customers and will feature the company’s latest…
New igus energy supply system for SCARA robots in cleanrooms
igus is launching a new energy supply system for SCARA robots in cleanrooms: the Clean SCARA Cable Solution is made of tribologically optimized high-performance plastics and works almost particle-free according to ISO Class 2 even in high-speed applications. It is also stronger and more user-friendly than classic corrugated hoses. In electronics production, tiny particles invisible […]