Customised components faster and easier with the igus tribo
Get customised components faster and easier with the igus tribo-parts service
With the online tool, you can compare the efficiency of 3D printing, CNC manufacturing and injection moulding
3D printing, CNC production or injection moulding? When design engineers are looking for the most suitable manufacturing process for a customised component, they often lose track of things, which costs valuable time. The igus tribo-parts service changes this: a free online tool that enables design engineers to find the most efficient manufacturing process in terms of cost, delivery time and service life for the required component - with just a few clicks and on one page.
A design engineer in a mechanical engineering company is under a great deal of stress. The summer season is just around the corner and the first batch of new drinks machines needs to be delivered as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the devil is in the details: a customised sliding element is still missing, which the design engineer has to have manufactured. Which manufacturing process will get it to its destination as quickly as possible? 3D printing, CNC production or injection moulding? There is no time for time-consuming research and consultations with various manufacturers. "We have developed the free tribo-parts service to support design engineers in selecting the right process for producing customised components," says Thomas Rösler, Head of Online Tools at igus. While it was previously possible to compare the efficiency of 3D printing and injection moulding, this is now also possible for CNC production. This means that design engineers can assess the efficiency of the three manufacturing methods using a single tool. With just a few clicks, they can find the most economical, fastest and most durable solution for the required special component. "The tool is unique on the market in this form. It offers real added value for customers who require customised components, be it series or replacement parts with no minimum order quantity," says Rösler.
Online tool compares feasibility, price, delivery time and service life
The tribo-parts service from igus works as follows: design engineers only need to upload a CAD model of their component on the igus website. If there is no CAD file available, they can also create one online using a tool from igus. After uploading the CAD model, users are taken to an overview page where they can immediately see the price and delivery time for all appropriate manufacturing processes. They can find suitable materials by specifying their application, such as ambient temperature, dirt load or surface pressure. In addition, they can have the expected service life predicted by entering dynamic application parameters. This allows users to identify and compare suitable materials and manufacturing processes even more quickly and order them online immediately. For full transparency, igus also offers an additional service: the "Next-Best Standard" AI. It analyses the uploaded component for similarities to igus products. If there is a match, the user can switch to the relevant online shop to select a suitable standard product instead of a customised solution in the tribo-parts service. This saves time and money.
Tribo-parts service offers transparency and saves valuable time
The online tool with its extended CNC machining enables users to make process-optimised production decisions - with full transparency in terms of feasibility, price, delivery time and service life. "In times when development cycles are becoming ever shorter and resources are scarce, the digital workflow of the tribo-parts service saves helps design engineers save valuable time," concludes Rösler. "Instead of lengthy research and comparisons, they can concentrate on their core task: developing innovative products."