igus UK Limited

With the drylin ZLW modular system, igus offers even more versatility and designing freedom for engineers - widths, rail distances and materials of the ready-to-install axes can be assembled according to your requirement. “Ready to install linear robots are becoming very popular in machine and plant manufacturing,” said Robert Dumayne, Director, igus. 

The TRLF family from igus has been extended to include a 125mm nominal diameter e-chain, in addition to existing 65, 87.5 and 100mm internal diameter sizes. These TRLF energy chains are well suited for robotics and other applications that require electrical power cables, data cables and hoses to remain secure and protected during multi-axis movement. 

  Curved rails and carriages for the igus drylin W linear guide system were developed to self-adjust and for quiet operation.

Smart plastics could be the future of Industry 4.0 applications according to motion plastics specialist, igus. The evolution of its cable, energy chain and linear bearing products embeds intelligence into its motion plastics via the addition of sensing, monitoring and communications. Using smart plastics, customers can increase plant availability, maximise up-time and reduce costs through condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

igus has released a video in which it explains how a drylin double profile rail is used as a camera slider. The sequences, shot by Tailored Media are described by igus as 'stunning and professional'. The camera sliders are very simple to use and are very easy to construct using a drylin W carriage and the desired length of drylin W rail to slide the camera along.

Long travel distances can pose a challenge to cable management. Especially as greater cable weights and higher travel speeds are now being demanded by the crane builders. However the igus P4 system e-chain allows implementation of a reliable energy supply system capable of long lengths of up to 800m, while handling heavy fill weights of up to 30kg/m and at speeds of 10m/s.

A significant date, 18th-20th September, in the calendar for professionals working with pro audio, lighting, broadcast, AV, rigging and stage technologies is the Plasa Show. This year igus, will be demonstrating its innovative bearings, linear slides and cable management systems for the live entertainment technology industry.

Robots are frequently used for material handling, for example removing a finished part from a milling machine and replacing it with a blank part for processing. They are used commonly being used to reduce repetitive strain injuries, allow for operation in wet or harsh environments or to save cost.

The proliferation of low cost drones for hobbyists has led to a number of well publicised incidents. The use of drones is now often forbidden by law around airports, sporting events and government establishments due to the risk of physical injury or use in committing crimes. Policing has traditionally resorted to arresting the drone operator and/or seizing the drone and its cargo when it lands, as forcing the drone out of the sky while it is flying can be dangerous.

igus has launched a stronger, more robust version of its twisterband rotary motion cable management system – twisterband HD. Developed to give operational and functional reliability to rotating applications that require mixed services, for example, power, data, air or fibre optics, with high loads and small installation space, twisterband HD supports up to 20 turns around its own axis.

igus has developed its guidelok slimline system further with the introduction of the GLSL-P, guidelok slimline P. Made entirely of plastic, this vertical energy chain system is characterised by its low weight and ease of installation, allowing machine builders and system integrators to achieve faster speeds and higher accelerations than ever before. 

Following significant investment igus now offers 16 different tribopolymer materials in standard DIN ISO 3547-1 dimensions up to diameters of 50 mm. This amounts to over 13,000 plain bearings, available for delivery from stock, within 24 hours. 

MRI and CT scanners, hospital, and other medical furniture as well as physiotherapy and laboratory equipment are all becoming increasingly complex and compact. Hygiene and cleanliness are top priorities for these high performance applications and medical equipment manufacturers are looking to igus for sophisticated positioning systems.

Allowing for lateral offset at the moving end, the floating tow-arm (FTA) from moving energy specialist igus ensures smooth running of energy chains in a guide trough by floating from side-to-side to compensate for misalignment in the system. The igus FTA system is suitable for a variety of applications; in particular for ‘ship-to-shore’ container cranes where the system can accommodates for play in the trolley wheels and rails.

igus has launched a guide trough system for energy chains that is quick and easy to install. guidefast is a simple modular system that comprises mounting brackets, clips and a trough – significantly less components than standard systems, thus reducing installation time by up to 80%. The cost effective guidefast system is part of the complete igus offering for crane applications, which includes the trough, E2/000 series energy chain and chainflex cables.

Articulated joints with grippers are increasingly being used to aid people with disabilities. The latest video from igus shows how robolink technology, which integrates its multi-axis joints and drive unit, with a 3-jaw angle gripper can be used to create an auxiliary arm for wheelchair users

Medical equipment manufacturers are constantly faced with developing products that are subjected to demanding requirements, such as small space envelopes and frequent cleaning cycles, which is why polymer specialist igus continuously invests in R&D to provide innovative solutions that help meet these needs. igus manufactures a wide range of self-lubricating and maintenance-free solutions for medical applications that support the demands of equipment reliably and safely. 

igus’ latest video looks at the specifications of its new drylin room gantry. Used to implement three-dimensional applications, the room gantry is based on a flat gantry system with a vertical axis. With the limit switch assembly housed within a T-slot, the complete length of the gantry’s profile can be used, enhancing its capabilities. Thanks to the self-lubricating nature of the drylin components, the room gantry requires no maintenance.  

Continuing the readychain concept, energy chain specialist igus launches ‘readychain speed’ – a pre-harnessed energy chain system that is ready to fit directly onto a machine without the need for specialist tools.

igus has launched a new video demonstrating just how quickly the E4.350, the world’s largest polymer energy chain can be assembled. The e-chain is simply assembled by connecting its interlocking side-links together. Adding mounting brackets and interior separation brackets are also straightforward, and the internal crossbars provide increased rigidity for the chain. Thanks to the modular design, the desired length can be quickly constructed reducing installation time.