(February 24, 2011)

Igus will exhibit maintenance-free polymer bearings, including Iglidur plain bearings, Igubal spherical bearings and Drylin linear bearings, at this year's Midlands Design and Manufacturing Show.

The company, which will be found on Stand 1,641 in Hall 9 at the event, which is due to be held at the NEC in Birmingham on 6-7 April, will also present examples of E-Chain cable carriers and Chainflex continuous-flex cables.



Also on display will be a new-generation hybrid linear bearing that both rolls and slides.

Called Drylin WJRM, the bearing system reduces driving force significantly and is particularly well suited to applications that combine sliding and rolling movements, such as manually adjustable doors, guards, partitions and locks, as well as for light handling tasks.

The range now includes carriages to suit the 16mm- and 20mm-diameter systems.

The Iglidur PRT slewing ring bearing system uses two self-lubricating, low-friction polymer sliding elements in place of conventional ball bearings.

Suitable for original equipment manufacturers looking for a ready-to-fit solution, the range is available in a variety of sizes, with inside diameters of 20mm, 30mm, 60mm, 80mm, 100mm, 200mm and 300mm.

On show will be two new developments to the range: a toothed outer ring option and a low-cost slewing ring.

Igus will also present a mechanism that enables the quick positional adjustment of the slide on a trapezoidal leadscrew drive.

Called Drylin Fast Forward, the mechanism saves time when adjusting machine settings, particularly in applications that involve long leadscrews.

The location of the linear slide can be positioned precisely on the trapezoidal thread using the conventional hand-wheel adjustment mechanism; the Fast Forward function on the other hand releases the slide from the thread to enable it to be slid quickly to a new 'approximate' position by hand first, followed by more precise positioning with the hand wheel.

A compact energy chain system, called the Twisterband TB20, is able to turn lines eight times round its own axis.

Staying close to the axis, this cost-effective system can guide energy, data and other media safely through 3,000deg at high rotating speeds with little wear, according to the company.

Justin Leonard of Igus UK said: 'Typical applications for circular chain systems are mainly in the field of robots.

'They are equally well suited in special machine design, such as radar and telescope systems, as well as medical equipment and rides at amusement parks,' he added.

Igus also plans to showcase Guidelok, a horizontal guiding system for use in the machining industry, particularly where unsupported travels of up to 50m are required and metal chip debris makes a gliding system difficult.

Guided in a lightweight aluminium trough, the energy chain radius passes through the Igus Guidelok system - a spring-loaded roller support bracket, which moves away from the moving radius, ensuring a smooth movement.

The roller bracket then springs back out behind the radius to support the upper energy chain run.

Thanks to this design, no debris can settle between the sliding surfaces of the upper run and lower run of the energy chain and the open guide trough prevents a build-up of swarf or chips.

For designers and specifiers looking for cables and cabling systems, Igus will be demonstrating its new Chainflex Cables Product Finder and Life Calculator, as well as the Quickpin programme for custom cabling.

Throughout the exhibition, company specialists will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on selecting polymer bearings, energy chains and cabling assemblies for specific applications.

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