Many design engineers are familiar with the problem: they want a particularly smooth-running guide for pull-out mechanisms that can withstand high loads without wearing out quickly. Examples are retractable steps in train carriages, plinth solutions in the furniture industry or laboratory equipment. Classic lubricated metal ball bearings are out of the question as they require too much maintenance and are not sufficiently weather-resistant. It is precisely for this application that igus has developed the new hybrid roller bearing with roller retraction system for the drylin W series. Thanks to its crafty design, it combines smooth operation with heavy duty.
igus has developed two new chemical-resistant and particularly durable xiros ball bearings especially for use in contact with chemicals. They are 65 times more wear-resistant than ball bearings made entirely of the plastic polyether ether ketone (PEEK). This durability is due to a combination of races and balls made of technical ceramics and a PEEK-based igus cage. Designers in the chemical and process industries, aerospace and the automotive sector, among others, benefit from their long service life.
Design engineers can considerably increase the efficiency of autonomous logistics robots with linear modules from igus. The RoboCup World Championship in Brazil in 2025 will prove this as robots from all over the world will handle products in a simulated factory. Here, the Carologistics team from Aachen has succeeded in implementing a fast, precise and reliable gripper system using igus linear axes from the drylin ZLW series. With this solution, the team won the world championship title and set a new world record.
Rushing across the water on a motorised surfboard: the Jetsurf combines the thrill of jet-skiing with the feel of a motorbike. The engineers at Czech manufacturer MSR Engines rely on igus plain bearings made of high-performance plastic to ensure that the fun in salt water is not spoilt by technical failure. The polymer bearings make the sports equipment more efficient in many respects.
With a new compact version of its PRT-04 slewing ring bearing, igus offers a space-saving solution for precise rotary movements under medium loads. Due to lubrication-free high-performance plastics in the sliding elements, the bearing is maintenance-free and corrosion-resistant – ideal for modern machines with limited installation space.