We at igus have specialised in cables for moving applications. Our chainflex cables are therefore only suitable for applications with low or periodic water influence and not for continuous use deep under water.
The reason for this, is that we must ensure the materials’ abrasion resistance, and we cannot do this with rubber-like outer jackets.
A brief look at the igus history shows: new challenges also always hold opportunities for new products and markets.
If the market does not offer adequate solutions, it is possible to create new production and test standards with good ideas, precision and a lot of care.
The discrepancy between urgently needed grease and oil and a hygienic, clean environment can be solved with linear plain bearings made of high-performance plastics. Solid lubricants, which are already embedded in the plastic during processing, eliminate the need for additional external lubrication. According to some manufacturers (incl. igus®), this external lubrication is expressly not desired.
It is important to reduce weight in machine and equipment design and in automation. Every excess gram increases energy requirements or slows movement. The law of inert mass applies.
Linear guide systems, on the other hand, especially if they are based on technical high-performance plastics, slide – as their name suggests – over a running surface and produce only the slightest vibrations, which are at the same time dampened again by the plastic. This does not result in the same precision and stiffness, but a very pleasant smoothness. 45db are rarely exceeded.