WORLD OF INDUSTRIES 2/2020
WORLD OF INDUSTRIES 2/2020
WORLD OF INDUSTRIES 2/2020
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Igus offers a large selection<br />
of self-lubricating polymer<br />
plain bearings<br />
For efficient machines:<br />
tribo-polymers increase service life<br />
MOTION AND DRIVES<br />
Tribo-polymers from igus display their advantages in<br />
maintenance-free and lubrication-free iglidur bearing<br />
technology.<br />
Anyone who wants to be relaxed about a future with Industry 4.0<br />
goes a long way towards getting things right by keeping a close<br />
eye on costs. A consideration of service life must take account of all<br />
those costs that are incurred over the long term, in addition to the<br />
costs of purchase, procurement and installation of a machine. Operation,<br />
maintenance and repair are examples of what can lead to<br />
such costs. The use of wear-resistant materials and low-maintenance<br />
components reduces not only costs but also the risk of unscheduled<br />
shutdowns and extensive maintenance work. Motion<br />
plastics specialist igus has many years of experience and knowledge<br />
in the development and production of wear-resistant solutions<br />
made of tribo-polymers, and also keeps a large database in its own<br />
test laboratory – all of which makes the company the ideal supplier<br />
for mechanical engineers. The reason is that machines today are often<br />
utilised all day long in three shifts. In the light of the growing<br />
challenges, searching for the tribologically optimised component is<br />
time well spent for every mechanical engineer.<br />
The combination is the secret<br />
Design engineers know all about looking for and finding the right<br />
material. Users often find that the best tribologically optimised<br />
component for them is to be obtained from the Cologne-based<br />
plastics specialist. This is because igus develops polymers specifically<br />
for dry operation. Use is made of base polymers, solid lubricants<br />
and, last but not least, strengtheners in order to develop even<br />
better materials for increasingly challenging applications and to<br />
achieve better wear results.<br />
Continuous development based on experience<br />
Whereas some of these materials are developed specifically on behalf<br />
of individual customers who indicate special requirements,<br />
others become part of the catalogue portfolio. In more than 12,000<br />
wear tests per year on over 450 test stands, the engineers from igus<br />
analyse wear behaviour systematically. In this context, more than<br />
135 trillion test movements take place. The large number of tests is<br />
due to the different ambient conditions that are considered, such as<br />
temperature, humidity, the type of movement and the contact materials.<br />
All these factors have an effect on the wear patterns in the<br />
individual scenarios and have to be taken into account. The analysis<br />
is used not only to evaluate the materials generally but also to create<br />
the basis for a service that is unique throughout the industry: namely,<br />
calculation of the service life of components in any application.<br />
The test laboratory as a reflection of<br />
industrial reality<br />
This large number of parameters alone, shows how much work is<br />
involved in the acquisition of research results that are essential for<br />
12 <strong>WORLD</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>INDUSTRIES</strong> <strong>2020</strong>