Bearings

igus presents design study for automatic and compact cable retraction system

The new iglidur i6-BLUE laser sintering powder is extremely abrasion-resistant, lubrication-free and food-safe according to FDA and EU 10/2011 regulations.
igus, the motion plastics specialist, is launching a new laser sintering material for 3D printers: the powdered iglidur i6-BLUE is easy to detect thanks to its blue colouring, and also complies with FDA and EU 10/2011 regulations. The new material thus increases the safety of machines and systems in the food and beverage industry. iglidur i6-BLUE is in no way inferior to the proven iglidur i6 in terms of strength and sliding properties, and is particularly suitable for printing worm gears, toothed gears and snap-on connections in 3D.

Whether mountain bikes for outdoor use, record-breaking light racing bikes or ultra-robust e-cargo bikes: Treotham presents new igus components made of high-performance plastic as an alternative to metal solutions for the bikes of the future – including light and lubricant-free polymer plain bearings for mountain bikes, wear-resistant gears for e-bike motors and robust rod ends for e-cargo bikes.

Whether in an industrial environment or in a coffee machine, in order to maximize the service life of a linear guide and to keep the required drive energy low, it is important to reduce friction and wear as much as possible. igus, a motion plastics specialist, has now achieved a breakthrough in tribological plastics: With iglidur E3, igus has developed a new sliding material that has a friction coefficient that is up to 40 percent better and thus opens up design flexibility in linear technology for users for the first time from the classic 2:1 Rule expanded to 3:1. The new iglidur E3 sliding material is available from Treotham.

Treotham has expanded its wide range of igus iglidur round bars with four materials; among them two for the food sector: the heat-resistant material iglidur AC500 and the resilient material A250. The extremely hard-wearing material iglidur H3 and the particularly wear-resistant endurance material iglidur E complete the product range. This makes it possible to mill and turn lubrication-free and maintenance-free prototypes and special components for a wide variety of applications.

Even tried and tested structures have potential for improvement. One example is the classic trapezoidal thread, which igus has refined. Thanks to a special geometric interaction between the lead screw nut, which requires no lubrication or maintenance, and the metal lead screw, dryspin technology promises a long service life, improved efficiencies, low wear and less movement noise.

Articulated arm robots can travel over six metres, quadrupling their working space: the 7th axis is now compatible with all lightweight articulated arm robots worldwide thanks to a simple Plug & Play kit. So far, models from Universal Robots, Epson and the igus robolink series from Treotham have benefited from this increased mobility. Now Omron, Franka Emika, Doosan, Yuanda Robotics and many other lightweight robotics suppliers are joining the list.

Many stroke patients worldwide suffer from hemiplegia (partial paralysis). Exoskeletons such as Harmony from Harmonic Bionics can help rebuild the nerve tracts in arms and shoulders. In order to quickly adapt the robot supported system to different body sizes in physiotherapy, the developers rely on lightweight, lubrication-free and maintenance-free plain bearing technology from igus.

Treotham is expanding its broad Low Cost Automation range with a new drylin XXL room linear robot. The linear robot has an action radius of 2,000 x 2,000 x 1,500 millimetres and is particularly suitable for palletising applications of up to 10 kilograms. The robot is includes the control system, and is easy to set up and program yourself using the do-it-yourself principle – without the help of a system integrator.

igus is expanding the scope of its 3D printing service: Chemical-resistant, lubrication-free tribo-polymer components can be manufactured using selective laser sintering (SLS). This evolutionary step is made possible by a new printing material for laser sintering printers: iglidur I10 is resistant to acids, bases, alcohols as well as greases and is therefore suitable for use in electroplating and food processing plants. The 3D filaments are also available to purchase directly from Treotham if the customer wishes to print themselves.