3D printing
Many designers of special machines and prototypes are under pressure. If they urgently need custom toothed belt discs beyond off-the-shelf products, delivery often takes several weeks. A waiting time that the 3D-printing service from igus has reduced to 48 hours. Users do not have to compromise on quality. On the contrary, the test series in the igus laboratory showed a significantly longer service life of the tribo-material for laser sintering compared to milled and injection-moulded POM parts.
Unique store concepts, concrete stairs with futuristic designs or modern facades: Aectual, a Dutch company, implements special architecture projects with its XXL 3D printer. For reliable “lights out” robot operation, the design engineers decided to use highly flexible chainflex cables in a triflex R energy chain with a pneumatic retraction system. In the seventh axis, an E4/light energy supply system supplies the robot with energy and data.
120,000 additively manufactured components were delivered by igus last year. Reason enough for the motion plastics specialist to further increase its capacities and equip its 3D printing service with new functions such as wall thickness and undercut analysis. In this way, customers worldwide can obtain their lubrication-free and low-maintenance components very easily and quickly, thereby saving costs.
Prototypes, spare parts, tools and small batches: 3D printers of the Cologne-based plastics specialist igus now also produce components with various filaments. Different material properties can be easily combined in this 2-component 3D printing. For example, 3D printing can be used to produce components that require both special rigidity and high wear resistance. This gives companies more freedom and flexibility in design.
Additive manufacturing gives designers new freedom and flexibility in the design of special solutions, including the development of efficient vehicle components. If lightweight and durable wear-resistant parts are required, igus offers the right solution from its 3D printing service. Users can order their special part made of tribologically optimised polymers from igus online in just a few seconds. You can choose from over 55 lubrication-free iglidur materials.
Electromobility is a crucial topic of the future. For Germany to be in the pole position, it is important to inspire young minds to take up scientific and engineering professions. Towards this purpose, the annual JET Challenge takes place at the IdeenExpo in Hanover. Students are given the task of building a fast, tough and energy-efficient racing car from a standard, remote-controlled car with a limited budget. Wear-resistant 3D-printed gears from igus made from the high-performance plastic iglidur I6 helped in this endeavour.