The motion plastics specialist igus turnover last year fell by 4.8% to 727 million euros due to the ongoing pandemic. The company is optimistic for the current year with a significant increase in orders. igus is coming up with 168 tribo-polymer sustainability and product innovation when working from home, showcased on its own physical virtual trade show. It has just been awarded the “iF Design Award” and will be open for visitors from 5th May.
ReBeL
ReBel allows customers to construct their own robot arms quickly and cost-effectively from the modular kit. Its core is an improved plastic gearbox. An integrated BLDC electric motor with power electronics can be connected to various controls. Additionally, a suitable low-cost control system from igus is available free of charge as a download to simulate automation in advance.
For the field of “large” industrial robotics, igus is launching the TRX energy supply system, a solution that rethinks the subject of robot hose packs. The energy supply system twists, lengthen and shorten in a spiral, enabling a weight saving of 83% on the 3rd axis, in less than half the space.
Maintenance-free ball bearings technology
igus will present news in all areas of lubrication-free and maintenance-free bearing technology. igus engineers achieved a breakthrough in the service life of ball bearings, increasing low, loads and high speeds applications life by a factor of 21.
Lena Woelke, Development Manager for xiros ball bearings, explained: “What used to last a month now lasts almost two years.”
Sustainable resource
These lubrication-free plastic products have less impact on the environment during use and are also produced in a CO2 neutral manner and recycled afterwards is part of the igus mission. The new factory building currently under construction will be climate neutral from the outset, and this will apply to the entire igus factory by 2025. igus also invest in modern technology to reduce emissions.
In addition to mechanical recycling in the chainge product range, igus also relies on new types of chemical recycling. Thus, igus increased its investment in Mura Technology to 5 million euros. Mura’s HydroPRS technology converts plastic waste back into oil.
Investments in digitalisation
A significant part of the investments went into online shops and online tools. New online tools for the configuration and calculation of gears, rollers, linear modules and stepper motors are accessible on the Internet free without the need for registration. At the same time, igus expanded its stock at every location in the world. Customers welcomed the ease of online configuration and the short delivery time offered by igus, boosting its online sales by 30% worldwide.
Change leads to opportunity
Frank Blase, CEO, igus, said: “Politics, technology, mobility, entertainment, climate and health – the world is changing rapidly at the moment. We want to be active shapers. So I am proud of the igus colleagues for how they have applied themselves, changed and improved during these times.”
The teams have been working predominantly from home since 13th March 2020. The offer for a self-determined quota of home office days with few rules and precise measurability is provided by igus until the end of 2022. At the same time, the company is experimenting with new workspaces and forms of on-site collaboration.
Blase added: “For our industry, the fact that everything is changing, absolutely everything, means everyone is making new products, and everyone needs new machines. Triggering an enormous boom for our customers and us in the next few years.”
