Automation has become a key driver of efficiency and productivity, regardless of industry. Among the most popular automation solutions are automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). While both technologies automate and enhance material handling and reduce manual labor, there are key differences in their functionality, flexibility, and areas of application that set them apart.
Demonstrating its dedication to innovation and sustainability, igus will present environmentally friendly technologies at Hannover Messe 2025. The motion plastics specialist will showcase its new PTFE-free materials, cable carriers made from recycled materials and newly developed dry cleanroom certification for its e-chain cable carriers developed in collaboration with Fraunhofer IPA.
A safer choice for customers, this rail system extends up to 2 meters (ms) and is suitable for many applications, including vehicles, furniture and medical technology. PTFE is part of a group of chemicals known as PFAS, which could be facing stricter regulations or bans in the future. Despite incorporating a new, PTFE-free plain bearing, the drylin NT-60-4 telescopic rail does not compromise performance. Igus experts have tested the robustness of the material at its in-house test laboratory. Rails carried a centric load of 200 Newtons (N) in a vertical installation, and the system remained functional after 25,000 opening/closing cycles.
The Elgeti online spring engineering seminars begin soon. Additionally, Elgeti offers customized and private sessions if needed. Here's a quick look at the schedule:
The Bearing Show North America 2025, colocated with Lubricant Expo North America 2025 takes place March 18–20 at Huntington Place in Detroit. The Bearing Show connects the evolving needs of bearings end-users with the latest technologies serving OEM development, maintenance professionals and R&D engineers.
Greaves 3D Engineering, a British company specializing in precision engineering, has introduced “The Ultimate Drivers Rig,” a state-of-the-art racing car simulator designed for portability and professional performance. This innovative simulator can be folded and stored in a compact road case, allowing for easy transport to racetracks, trade shows, and corporate events. Central to the rig’s design are 45 high-performance components from igus, including self-lubricating linear and drive technologies, cable carriers, and plain bearings, which help reduce maintenance requirements and improve overall reliability.
To mark its 60th anniversary, igus has launched its innovative and environmentally friendly bicycle — called the igus:bike — on a world tour, underscoring its commitment to sustainability. Made from recycled plastics, the bike will spend a year traveling through 16 countries, signaling a new form of urban mobility while demonstrating the success of a circular economy of plastics.
Motion plastics component provider igus GmbH recently announced its participation in the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024. The trade show will be held Sept. 9-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
As the world celebrates the Olympic Games this month, Vesconite Bearings is reminded of a remarkable achievement in its history—the production of the largest bearing it has ever created.
A Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube wheel and bushing combination has been deployed at a prominent hydroelectric company in New Zealand, expanding a growing set of hydroelectric reference cases for these bearing materials.
Emerson has announced its new Branson GLX-1 Laser Welder, which offers users flexibility to meet the growing demand for joining small, complex or delicate plastic components and assemblies. Its small footprint and modular design make it compatible for use in ISO-8 cleanroom environments, while an integral automation controller simplifies installation and interfaces with production robotics.
The PRT-02-30-WPC slewing ring bearing is another step forward by Igus toward integrating renewable raw materials into industrial production. Made of 50 percent wood and 50 percent high-performance plastics, the cost effective and lubrication-free slewing ring bearing balances strength and durability with a proven low CO2 footprint of just 0.0577 kilograms. By comparison, the PRT-02-30-ECO — already made from 97 percent regranulate — has a CO2 equivalent of 0.819868 kg.
igus has announced the winners of its 2024 vector awards, a biennial competition that honors bold, exciting projects that incorporate igus e-chain cable carriers made of high-performance plastics. A U.S. company, TDK RF Solutions, took the silver vector award for its automotive test rig.
Igus announces its new iglide i230 3D printing material for selective laser sintering (SLS). This new powder material can withstand temperatures up to 110°C, expanding the use cases for SLS-printed polymer components.
Steel, iron, and aluminum are the dominant materials in the mechanical power transmission industry for good reason: high power density requires the high strength and stiffness of metallic materials. Plastics, however, offer valuable features that should be utilized for good gearbox design.
Igus, a global manufacturer of motion plastics, has developed intelligent two- and four-hole fixed flange bearings with wireless sensing capabilities for wear detection, enabling condition monitoring and preventing costly machine breakdowns.
Global market intelligence firm Interact Analysis recently made some revisions to its global manufacturing outlook forecast. According to the company’s latest research, the outlook for global manufacturing is bleak, and this looks set to continue throughout 2024 into early 2025. Europe in particular is feeling the pinch, while the Americas region fared well during the first half of 2023. Due to the semiconductor slump, manufacturing output in the Asia Pacific region is declining – the region accounts for almost 90% of semiconductor and components production.
Wood and plastic? Is that a good combination? The motion plastics specialist igus has researched the idea in a recent design study and tested the friction and wear behavior of its plastic linear bearings on a wide variety of wood, and the result is impressive. The igus econ J4 plain bearing has demonstrated its exceptional compatibility with various kinds of wood, opening new possibilities for furniture makers and design engineers when choosing materials.
PTE will feature a variety of new component technologies online for bearings, motors, couplings, brakes, gear drives, and motion control systems leading up to Hannover Messe 2023 in Germany. Here is a preview of some bearings suppliers to check out if you're planning on attending the event online or in-person in April.
Igus is expanding through investments in its Low-Cost Automation and has now acquired the majority shares in Commonplace Robotics based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück. As an integrator, Commonplace Robotics specializes in intuitive control systems and software and power electronics for robotics, both in industry and in education. The two companies have been cooperating intensively for six years. They have, among other things, developed the igus Robot Control, which supplements igus’ low-cost kinematics made from high-performance plastics.
The Timken Company has reached an agreement to acquire GGB Bearing Technology (GGB), a division of Enpro, Industries (including exclusive negotiations with respect to the French operations of GGB). Founded in 1899, GGB serves a variety of diverse customers, markets, geographies and applications with a product portfolio that complements existing Timken industry-leading engineered bearing solutions. GGB revenue is expected to be around $200 million in fiscal year 2022.
Self-lubricating and maintenance-free plain and radial deep groove ball bearings from igus are part of a radically new type of maritime drive technology to reduce environmentally harmful emissions from international shipping.
An overflowing waste bin in a park: pizza boxes piled up, coffee cups, napkins and beer cans on the ground. Cities all over Europe have been fighting against such a deluge of waste for years. Corona exacerbates the problem because people spend more time outdoors. “With classic rubbish bins, waste management in most cities is now reaching its limits. Many metropolitan areas in Finland, for example, had to empty public waste bins up to four times a day even before the pandemic,” said Antti Kinnunen, marketing manager at Finbin. The Finnish company’s answer: a waste bin called CitySolar, which compresses waste and thereby has a much higher capacity. A waste bin that is connected to the Internet and triggers an emptying before reaching the maxi mum fill level. “With CitySolar, we are making a contribution to reducing disagreeable waste scenes in cities and improving the CO2 balance in waste management. Up to four out of five trips can be avoided with the networked waste bin,” Kinnunen added.
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