The CF8821 data cable has been introduced by igus as a cost-effective alternative to standard chainflex cable for builders of equipment with low duty cycles, such as adjustment devices, encoder units, and wood or stone processing machines. With the new series, machine builders can save up to 30% cost and still get a cable with UL approval.

Hartford uses fully-assembled energy chain systems from igus in its robotic machining centres. This cuts out many process steps for the manufacturer, reducing assembly time from several weeks to just half a day. Another benefit for Hartford is that when it orders readychain from igus, it is from a single source and delivered onsite fully tested.

Standing at a height of four metres, a new highly complex control, audio and power cable management system has been introduced by igus that challenges for a new work of art. The solution: e-spool from igus ensures reliable cable feed in a confined space even under the toughest of time pressures. It was quick to install, and easy to maintain and operate.

  The new online dresspack configurator from igus enables engineers to quickly find the right system based around the triflex R energy chain. Easy to install and fill, this multi-axis energy chain protects moving cables and hoses on robots and thus increases service life in operation.

With robolink DCi from igus, machine builders and production engineers can automate simple pick and place and assemble tasks without the associated high price tag. It is a complete automation package consisting of robotic arm and controller for intuitive operation. Suitable for lifting parts weighing up to 1kg with an accuracy of ±0.5mm.

  If time and costs involved in the production of prototypes pile up, it can become economically challenging for startups. Easelink from Austria, relies on the 3D printing service from motion plastics specialist igus. Components, such as gears, can be configured online, printed cost-effectively and delivered within 24 hours.

With the introduction of a new low-cost robotic concept from igus, simple tasks can now be automated easily with a relatively quick ROI. Under the name ReBeL, the new wave-driven joint differs fundamentally from the previous robolink models: Instead of stepper motors, brushless DC (BLDC) motors are used.

The new modular motion system from igus, robolink Apiro, which enables design engineers to develop low cost automation systems, has been announced. Consisting of three lubrication-free worm gears for standard movement, inverted movement and linear movement, the system can be configured to perform simple linear motion to complex humanoid and animatronic robotic tasks.

For two years now, students from the University of Bochum in Germany have been developing and constructing a solar-powered off-road vehicle. The team of 16 students wants its SolarBuggy, called Froggee, to be completely self-sufficient while ensuring that it can cope with the toughest conditions without problems.

With the introduction of the CF.Q module, igus has further developed its smart plastics offering. The module checks and evaluates cable health in real time and recommends maintenance or replacement in good time. When used in combination with isense, new possibilities of digitalisation and networking to make maintenance easier and more efficient and thus save money.

Bicycles have experienced a boom in development lately and most recently, electrification has contributed significantly to this trend. According to the German bicycle industry association ‘Zweirad-Industrie-Verband’ (ZIV) sales of e-bike in the country increased by 19% last year to a total of 720,000 units. In 2016, 605,000 were sold, making this an increase of 13%.

When a pushchair designer came up with the clever idea of making the wheels detachable so that it could fit in the boot of reasonably priced car, only half a job was done. In this week’s video we hear a disgruntled mother complaining about the grease exuding from the wheels’ bearings and spreading all over the place. And, what should have been something easy, required her to carefully wrap each of the wheels in a plastic bag for ...

In this week’s video, Rene Erdmann, head of the drylin E electric drive technology business unit at igus, shows how easy it is to set up the dryve motor controller for the drylin E linear robot. The web-based system can interface easily to a desktop PC, tablet or smartphone – simply type in the IP address and connect directly to the controller’s interface. Here, different parameters, such as the drive profile, can be set.

They can play football, they have mastered rescue missions and can even take over the logistics in a Smart Factory – they are the robots from across 14 different countries that have competed against each other at the RoboCup German Open 2018 in Magdeburg. In the logistics league, the Carologistics team from Aachen has become German champion - with the support of the motion plastics specialist igus.

Plastic energy chain specialist igus is now integrating QR-codes onto its e-chain systems to make original part identification easy. All you need to do is simply locate the code, scan it with a QR-reader app and it directs users to the online portal that provides all the information you could possibly need including be able to reorder the parts with just one click.

Extending its range of chainflex cables, igus has introduced cables that are optimised for fast, short strokes with minimum bend radius factor of 5xd. In addition to the flexible conductor structure, the chainflex CFSOFT uses highly abrasion-resistant, soft jacket materials. This guarantees a long service life in energy chains, even in the smallest of spaces.

As the automation of production processes become more important for increased productivity, igus has developed a solution with the new self-lubricating and maintenance-free drylin E linear robot, which is suitable for a wide range of applications, be it in medical equipment with high safety and hygienic requirements, tasks in microelectronics, or pick & place functions.

At Alexandra Palace this year, the ABTT show must go on for igus who will be on stand B30 to help make sure it does. Specialised igus product managers will be demonstrating technology innovations made with the modern theatre in mind. The exhibition, which runs from 6th – 7th June, is a significant date in the calendar for professionals working with pro audio, lighting, broadcast, AV, rigging and stage technologies.

With module connect, igus has developed a novel plug-in connector for the connection of electrical cables, fibre-optic cables and pneumatics. Thanks to the modular system, an individual plug-in/separation point can be configured as a module from several plug housings. The system can be mounted on the e-chain, between different e-chains or directly on the switch cabinet and is used wherever a large number of cables are plugged into a small footpri...

A compact new version of the igus robolink product range has been released which aims to complete simple automation tasks in a cost-effective way. In the new version, the control system is located in the base and the arm is operated without the need for a switch cabinet and PC. The new robolink solution is a complete 4 or 5-axis robot in which a control unit from Commonplace Robotics GmbH (CPR) is integrated at the base of the robot arm.