(February 22, 2011)



Igus UK will be exhibiting at this year’s Midlands Design and Manufacturing Show, which is co-located with Mtec 2011 and MEDTEC UK, to support the manufacturing industry in the UK. Visitors to the igus stand (1641) will see on display new additions to the firm’s maintenance-free polymer bearing ranges, which include iglidur plain bearings, igubal spherical bearings and DryLin linear bearings. In addition, examples of industry-leading E-Chain cable carriers and Chainflex continuous-flex cables will be on show.

First on display at the NEC is a new breed of hybrid linear bearing that both rolls and slides. Called DryLin WJRM, this 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 16 and 20mm diameter systems.

Already well-known as the industry leader in plain bearings and linear solutions, says Matthew Aldridge of Igus: “Visitors to our stand will be able to see first hand that we’re also the technology leader in rotational systems.” The iglidur PRT slewing ring bearing systems uses two self-lubricating, low-friction polymer sliding elements in place of conventional ball bearings. Ideal for OEMs looking for a ready-to-fit solution, the range is available in a wide range of sizes, with inside diameters of 20, 30, 60, 80, 100 200 and 300 mm. On display will be two new developments to the range - a toothed outer ring option, as well as a low cost slewing ring.

On display at the NEC for the first time is an innovative mechanism that allows quick positional adjustment of the slide on a trapezoidal lead screw drive. Called DryLin ‘Fast Forward’, the mechanism saves considerable amounts of 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.

An innovative compact energy chain system the TwisterBand TB20 is able to turn lines eight times round its own axis. Staying close to the axis, the cost-effective system can guide energy, data and other media safely through 3,000 degrees at high rotating speeds with little wear. “Typical applications for circular chain systems are mainly in the field of robots,” says Justin Leonard of igus UK. “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.”

Also on display for the first time in the UK is Guidelok – a horizontal guiding system developed by igus, ideal 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 allowing a smooth movement. The roller bracket then springs back out behind the radius to support the upper energy chain run. Due 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 innovative QuickPin programme for custom connectorised cabling. Throughout the exhibition, experts from igus UK will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on selecting polymer bearings, energy chains and cabling assemblies for your own specific application.

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