Igus Inc. has added a product lifespan prediction calculation tool feature to its online 3D printing service. With this service, users can consider products at a total cost predicted for their lifespan, allowing for a more appropriate selection of resin materials. The lifespan prediction is based on data from test results conducted at our research facility, which spans 3,800 square meters. Using 450 testing devices, we conduct 11,000 wear tests annually, and the test results indicate that 3D printed parts made with iglidur can have a lifespan up to 50 times longer compared to those made with other 3D printing materials. We offer over 50 types of iglidur materials for injection molding, in addition to four types of laser sintering materials and ten types of tribo-filaments, as well as the new iglidur i3000 resin for 3D printing, to customers in various industries. Please feel free to contact us if you have any requests.

A new product has been added to the energy chain of igus Inc. (Sumida-ku, Tokyo). The E4Q series is a globally proven energy chain that accommodates long strokes with a free span running specification and is suitable for high storage weight applications. The new E4Q.64L series has now been added as a new series. When the size of the E4Q is too large, using the E4Q.64L allows for a size reduction, which can reduce costs by up to 20%.

Igus Inc. has added two new materials for the Ksiros A500 radial deep groove ball bearings: zirconium oxide ceramic balls and Ksiros Dur F500 cage material. This allows us to offer customers even more options for lubrication-free ball bearings designed for high-temperature environments. In the chemical and semiconductor industries, mechanical components like ball bearings are frequently replaced, and there is always a risk of system downtime.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) showcased components made from recycled materials and recyclable parts for bicycle manufacturers at the Eurobike 2023 exhibition held in Frankfurt, Germany, in June. Last year, Igus announced the fully plastic bicycle "igus:bike," and at Eurobike 2023, they added a product line made of high-performance plastics for bicycle manufacturers. Specifically, there are products such as frames and cranksets, and regarding handlebars, mass production is set to begin soon, with plans for them to be adopted by Advanced's bicycle, Reco.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed the iglidur TX3 sliding bearing for high loads, featuring a braided structure. Composed of high-strength fiber-reinforced resin, it can be used under harsh conditions with loads exceeding 80 MPa, where stability is difficult to achieve with thermoplastic materials. It has particularly high performance within the same series and is suitable for demanding operating environments. Additionally, the solid lubricant incorporated into the bearing's sliding surface enables operation without lubrication, achieving a high coefficient of friction.

Our company has developed a "Machine Heat Recovery System (MHRS)" that utilizes the heat from cooling water used in injection molding machines for heating industrial factories. To make this technology, which achieves savings on gas costs and reductions in CO2 emissions, accessible to everyone, we provide detailed information online for free. This groundbreaking technology enables cost reduction and contributes to environmental protection. Our product directs heated cooling water flowing through the cooling circuit directly to a fan heater, depending on heating requirements. At the same time, it prevents overheating of the machinery. Additionally, since heat is extracted while passing through the fan heater, the cooling demand at the cooling tower decreases, resulting in reduced power needed for cooling.

Igus has developed the energy chain damage detection system "i.Sense EC.B" equipped with a new resin wire sensor. This system monitors the condition of energy chains longer than 35 meters, which previously required two sensors, using just one sensor. It ensures safe cable guidance even in harsh outdoor applications with large cranes and long strokes. Real-time condition data is collected across the entire running unit, helping to avoid unexpected machine stoppages and costs.

Igus has developed the new 'PRT-04 Micro' in the lightweight and compact iglide® rotary table bearing PRT-04 series. While maintaining excellent performance for high loads, this product achieves further weight reduction and space-saving. The combination of aluminum rings and high-performance polymer sliding components ensures excellent wear coefficients and a long service life. It can be used without lubrication, making it unaffected by external environments such as dirt and moisture. Materials can be selected in other types according to customer requirements.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed a compact version of its cable shipping and storage solution called the "Chainflex Case S." This new case achieves a 50% reduction in space compared to the conventional Chainflex Case M, making it ideal for thin cables. The compact design makes transportation and storage even easier, while also reducing costs. Cables can be pulled directly from the case for use, making it easy to carry on-site.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has demonstrated the very high wear resistance and reliability of its energy supply system for clean rooms, the e-skin flat series, through its own testing. In manufacturing processes such as displays and semiconductors, even small particles that are not visible to the naked eye can have a serious impact on electronic components. Therefore, it is crucial to establish an environment that meets the highest standards of clean rooms, and all system components must meet strict requirements. We have developed the e-skin flat, a high-performance plastic cable guide system with excellent wear resistance, to comply with the stringent Class 1 clean room standards as defined by ISO 14644-1 (which allows no more than 10 particles of 0.1μm in 1m3 of air). After continuous use for about a year and a half, with 60 million cycles of back-and-forth movement, it was confirmed that the system maintained the highest level of clean room cleanliness, ISO Class 1, after operating for over 100 minutes in a clean room testing facility.

Igus has incorporated new gamification methods and features into the configuration tool for orthogonal robots (gantry robots), further enhancing usability. With this online configurator, revamped using the game engine "Unity," it is possible to easily and intuitively configure low-cost custom gantries. All gantry systems utilize Igus's unique self-lubricating polymer, ensuring maintenance-free and clean operation.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed a drylin T miniature guide carriage using the new material iglidur E3 for the sliding part. This sliding part, which excels in friction and wear characteristics, has improved the friction coefficient by 40%, and the design standard's 2:1 rule has been expanded to 3:1, achieving an increase in design flexibility for linear guides. It is available in three sizes (widths of 20mm, 27mm, and 32mm) and can be used in applications ranging from pharmaceutical research equipment to jig manufacturing.

The igus modular robotic arm "RoboLink" has won the Automation System Division Award at the "indexPro Award 2022" hosted by Index Pro Co., Ltd. This product is a lightweight multi-joint robotic arm equipped with joints optimized for friction characteristics using our high-performance resin. It has a maximum of 5 degrees of freedom, a maximum range of motion of 790mm, and a maximum payload of 3kg. It can be used as an assembled product, and you can also choose whether to include encoders and control systems according to your application. It is a solution that achieves maintenance-free operation and long lifespan for applications such as palletizing, pick and place, and testing equipment. For more details, please refer to the related materials below.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed an easy-to-install carriage equipped with a clip mechanism. The new carriage allows for quick installation and removal on the rail, significantly reducing time and effort while accommodating limited spaces. Using high-performance polymer for the sliding parts ensures high precision and smooth operation, achieving a lubrication-free and maintenance-free usage.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has added stainless steel guide rollers for ESD protection to its lineup of lubrication-free and maintenance-free Kseries guide rollers. These serve as a cost-effective alternative to static electricity prevention brushes and expensive special designs. They can be installed immediately, with sizes available in an outer diameter of 30mm and shaft diameters of 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. The length of the stainless steel tube can be specified in millimeters from 100 to 1000mm according to your desired length.

Igus has developed the "Drylin ZLW toothed belt driven linear actuator" using FDA-compliant materials and based on hygiene design guidelines. Thanks to its unique high-performance polymer technology, it achieves easy cleaning and is lubrication-free and maintenance-free. This significantly contributes to reducing downtime and costs, which are challenges in cleaning food machinery. The end support and carriage are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the bearing part of the carriage that runs on the rail is made of iglidur A160, a high-performance polymer suitable for food contact, allowing for lubrication-free low-friction operation.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has added the medium load bearings 'Iglidur M210 and M260' to its lineup of sliding bearings. This high-performance polymer product is very easy to replace with thick metal bearings. It enables lubrication-free and maintenance-free bearing operation, significantly contributing to reducing working hours and costs under harsh operating conditions in construction and agricultural machinery.

Igus has added four new materials to its lineup of round bars. Two of them, iglidur AC500, which is suitable for high-temperature environments, and iglidur A250, which is elastic, are aimed at the food industry. Iglidur H3 excels in chemical resistance, while iglidur E achieves a long service life when combined with aluminum shafts. With the expanded lineup, the material options for machining prototypes and special parts that are lubrication-free and maintenance-free have increased.

Igus has obtained UL AWM Style certification for its Chainflex high-end TPE cables, which have very high mechanical durability and do not use flame-retardant halogen substances as additives. This is a case recognized by UL that even halogen-free TPE cables can meet the fire safety requirements of the industry.

Igus has developed two new materials, "Solar Mid G" and "Iglidur P UV," for pillow block bearings used in tracking solar power generation systems. These new polymers exhibit excellent durability even in environments exposed to sunlight for extended periods, with tests under actual conditions confirming approximately three times the UV resistance. By using this product with superior UV resistance, maintenance work can be significantly reduced.

Igus has developed the "P4HD.56R high-load roll e-chain" to meet the requirements of the increasing energy supply systems for STS (port) cranes. It accommodates longer travel distances, high speeds, and high accelerations while achieving high reliability. By using highly wear-resistant materials, special side parts, newly designed connections, and roller chain links, it minimizes wear and further reduces drive energy. During maintenance, all parts can be replaced. Optionally, it can be equipped with a predictive maintenance system called "Smart Plastic Sensor," enabling condition monitoring.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed a new "slide shoe" and "roller chain link" for the energy chain cable protection tube E4.1, which is used in various sliding applications. Since it can be retrofitted to the energy chain E4.1, there is no need for replacement, and it can be easily upgraded with quick assembly. This allows for the efficient extension of the lifespan of energy supply systems even in highly abrasive environments or in applications with very high speeds or long travel distances.

Igus has developed a new wear-resistant material called 'Iglidur AX500' that has conductivity. This product is an evolved version of Iglidur A500 and can be used in high-temperature environments up to +250°C. It is lubrication-free, maintenance-free, and has excellent chemical resistance, making it suitable for use in food and packaging machinery, as it complies with FDA and EU10/2011 standards.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed a new chainflex PROFINET cable, 'CF898.061.FC', for rapid cable processing in production environments. It features FastConnect technology, allowing for easy stripping of the cable sheath in just a few steps, which can reduce harnessing work time by 46%. Additionally, like other movable cable products from Igus, it has been proven to have a long service life in movable applications within energy chain cable protection tubes, and it comes with a warranty for free replacement for up to 36 months.

Igus has achieved the production of complex-shaped 3D printed parts with durability and wear resistance through 'multi-material printing' using up to four different materials. This enables the rapid and economical manufacturing of multifunctional and wear-resistant special parts in a single step. To this end, we have expanded our lineup of multi-material printing materials. 【Features】 ■ Realization of manufacturing special parts with durability ■ Increased design freedom, allowing for a reduction in processing time ■ Ability to manufacture multifunctional parts in a single process using up to four different materials ■ Capability to produce parts that combine wear resistance and elasticity, as well as intelligent special parts

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed a new linear bearing for round shafts, the 'Drylin R W360CM series', which achieves high-precision motion. It consists of an aluminum housing and a thin sliding part, featuring high rigidity and smooth, quiet operation. Additionally, due to its minimal clearance, it allows for precise movement. It uses the high-performance polymer "Iglide W360," making it lubrication-free and maintenance-free. This new series is dimensionally compatible with metal linear bushes, allowing for easy replacement. 【Features】 ■ Achieves the highest level of precision and rigidity in round shaft linear guides "Drylin R" ■ Can replace ball-type linear bushes with our maintenance-free products ■ Snap-fit design that pushes the sliding part into the groove within the housing ■ Tests conducted in our in-house testing facility have demonstrated superior clearance and precision compared to conventional products.

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed the energy chain 'C6 type', which corresponds to the highest class of cleanroom standards. This new energy chain is based on the well-established energy chains 'E6 type' and 'E6.1 type' that have many successful implementations for cleanrooms, and it is specially designed to achieve long service life during free-span operation. With a new connector system and tribologically optimized high-performance polymers, this design study is easy to assemble, ensures low wear and quiet operation, and generates almost no particles during operation. 【Features】 ■ Adopts a new type of connection system for individual chain links ■ Facilitates chain assembly and reduces weight ■ Improves strength and vibration damping ■ Achieves extremely low wear and quiet operation

Igus (headquartered in Germany) has developed a new filament, 'Iglidur I151', which is an improved version of the easy-to-process general-purpose 3D printer filament 'Iglidur I150', featuring excellent friction coefficient and wear resistance. The new blue filament can be used for manufacturing detectable special parts for the food industry. It complies with FDA and EU 10/2011, making it suitable for use in the food, packaging, and cosmetics industries. 【Features】 ■ By using blue parts that are easily visible, it prepares for any potential contamination. ■ Suitable for printing parts with excellent wear resistance. ■ No additional lubricants are needed, eliminating concerns about contamination. ■ Printed parts comply with FDA and EU 10/2011 requirements. ■ Nozzle temperature can be set to 250°C.

At igus, we announced a record 168 new proposals and product lineup expansions in the spring of 2021. These new proposals are showcased at our unique exhibition that merges physical and virtual elements. The exhibition, which won the "iF Design Award," has been publicly available since May 7 after a complete renewal. 【Partial lineup】 ■ Energy chains ■ Cables ■ Harness products and assemblies ■ Smart plastics ■ Sliding bearings