igus 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. Constructed from self-lubricating, high-performance plastic, the bearings feature an integrated abrasion sensor, thin circuit board and cableless battery supply. Wear interrupts the board’s conductor paths, causing the electronics to lose […]
igus
Tour: One fast way to design and buy low-cost automation
Performance-plastics component and system manufacturer igus Inc. recently brought their mobile-exhibition roadshow to Cleveland where we Design World editors got the chance to rendezvous with some of their engineers and sales team. igus has used mobile exbits for several years but temporarily halted them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently igus resurrected its roadshow program to […]
The latest developments in fast food automation
The fast-food industry is all about tasty food at low prices with cheerful customer service — all delivered fast. But with labor shortages and supply chain issues still plaguing the economy, how can businesses compete and survive? Fast-food restaurants across the globe are pondering ways to automate certain tasks or entire assembly lines to provide continuous service […]
Fast set-up of motor control systems from igus with no lengthy programming
The programming of motor control systems and the integration into machine environments often takes several days and can cost thousands of dollars. Now, igus, the leader in motion plastics and moving cable management systems, has removed the barrier. With free motion sample programs available from igus, it is possible to commission the dryve® series motor […]
New plastic bevel gears from igus offer lubrication-free motion
igus has expanded its gear offering with bevel gears made of its iguform S270 and igutek P360 high-performance plastics. These abrasion-resistant, self-lubricating gears are a lightweight and maintenance-free alternative to traditional metallic gears. Gears are widely used as drive elements in a range of applications, from e-bikes to locking systems to actuators. However, when forces […]
Part 3: Trends in Ethernet, PoE, IO-Link, HIPERFACE, and single-cable solutions
As we explored in Part 1 and Part 2 of this six-part series, machine designs are evolving with wireless connectivity, cloud-based operations, and open programming. In this installment, we explore how Ethernet has continued its expansion in industrial connectivity. We also detail increasingly useful cable types for IO-Link and HIPERFACE … as well as cross-network […]
D3 and D1 dryve motor control systems from igus
igus has developed two new cost-effective and easy-to-operate control systems so that users from all areas of industry can quickly start up their motorized drylin E drive axes. The D3 dryve controls simple linear or rotations axes with DC motors without any software or a PC. For more complex travels, such as with multi-axis robots […]
New hybrid cable from igus handles both power and feedback signals
The new CF280.UL.H cable from igus is a hybrid servo cable offered as an expansion to the chainflex line of cables for moving applications. The flexible cable can deliver motor power and feedback functions through a single cable. Hybrid cable technology was introduced by drive manufacturers to streamline their cable connections to eliminate the encoder […]
New igus robolink Apiro is modular kinematics system for automation
igus now sells components as part of a modular motion system called robolink Apiro. The systems could soon make designing and using individual automation setups more cost effective and much easier. With robolink Apiro, design engineers can choose from three lubrication-free worm gears for standard, inverted and linear movement. For users, the device offers setups […]
Belt drive axes can reduce automation costs
Mechanical engineers often need a basic, space-saving linear guide when designing technology that performs simple tasks, such as vending machines. Since such technology does not handle high loads, high speeds or high positioning accuracy, intricate linear guides are not necessary. However, most solutions on the market are very advanced, leaving manufacturers forced to either pay […]
