Low-Cost-Automation
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.
Customised automation doesn’t have to be expensive. Metaprint AS from Estonia, one of the largest manufacturers of aerosol packaging in Europe, demonstrates this. The company now uses an XXL linear robot from igus to load a printing machine. Compared to conventional systems, this Low Cost Automation solution reduces investment costs and is also easy to put into operation thanks to the plug & program function.
Fewer tedious tasks, faster processes and greater efficiency: plastics specialist igus relies on extensive automation in its own production and logistics. Over 1,500 applications such as cobots, autonomous vehicles and delta robots are already in use, and the number is growing every day. The message: automation doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
Getting young people excited about technology: this is the aim the plastics specialist and robotics manufacturer igus pursues with its educational programmes specifically for schools, colleges and universities. This also includes the ReBeL education kit: a learning package designed to give pupils and students a playful introduction to robotics with the help of the ReBeL cobot. The education kits are used at the Georg Simon Ohm vocational college in Cologne, among others. This gives students the opportunity to acquire their first programming skills and try out practical applications.
Humanoid robots are on the verge of revolutionising the industry. While previous systems are very expensive, motion plastics specialist igus is now offering its first humanoid robot, Iggy Rob, as a low-cost solution. For €47,999, it supports companies in industrial production, service or with transport tasks. To gain experience with the new helper, igus is calling on companies to “test before they invest”.
The French company SCALLOG has developed an autonomous robot called “Boby” that can transport shelves weighing up to 600kg in logistics warehouses. To maximise the robot’s range and minimise maintenance, the engineers rely on lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings from plastics specialist igus, which are wear-resistant and significantly lighter than comparable metal solutions.
The French company SCALLOG has developed an autonomous robot called “Boby” that can transport shelves weighing up to 600kg in logistics warehouses. To maximise the robot’s range and minimise maintenance, the engineers rely on lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings from plastics specialist igus, which are wear-resistant and significantly lighter than comparable metal solutions.
The French company SCALLOG has developed an autonomous robot called “Boby” that can transport shelves weighing up to 600kg in logistics warehouses. To maximise the robot’s range and minimise maintenance, the engineers rely on lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings from plastics specialist igus, which are wear-resistant and significantly lighter than comparable metal solutions.
E-mails, instant messages, printed greeting cards: communication in the business world quickly takes on an impersonal flavour. A robot from the company Spline Product Development in Arizona wants to change this. Thanks to maintenance-free linear technology from igus, it is able to write cards in human handwriting, making messages more emotional and ensuring greater resonance.
Robots are being used in more and more areas, from production in factories to care for the elderly. To help companies of all sizes realise the full potential of automation solutions and thus become more competitive, igus is now opening the RBTX Academy. Here, interested parties can work directly on real robots to learn the basics of robot technology or improve their skills in robot programming. The RBTX Academy opened its doors for the first time on 25th January, when igus hosted the dress rehearsal for RoboCup Junior 2025 – one of the best-known and largest robotics competitions for pupils in the world – at the Porz-Lind site in Cologne.