igubal® - Self-aligning, maintenance-free bearings made from high-performance polymers

igubal® bearing element can also be used without any problems in tough environments. The bearings are corrosion-resistant in humid or wet environments. The application temperatures range from -30 to +80 °C. The material's insensitivity to dirt should also be highlighted.
Even under extreme dirt accumulations, the igubal® bearing elements manage without sealing. The same applies for fine dust or rough dirt.

Kiteboard

This kiteboard has to be able to cope with heavy impact as well as with humidity and soiling.

Kiteboard    

Steering system

This aerodynamic steering system is used on hovercrafts.

Steering system    

High sea catamaran

and the first one that is variably adjustable in its width.

High sea catamaran    

Packaging machines

In this packing machine, the boxes are discharged at the end of the process via the ejector unit by means of a pivoting movement.

Packaging machines    

Stone industry

igubal® pillow block bearing in the stone industry.

Stone industry    

Swimming pool cover

Despite high installation costs, the solution with ball bearings and shrink tubing never achieved a proper sealing. The problem could be solved thanks to igubal® flange bearings.

Swimming pool cover    

Feeder magazine for furniture components

In this case, the use of igus® products is not only advantageous from a technical, but also from a financial point of view when compared to competitive products.

Feeder magazine for furniture components    

Test stand for control centres

Only extensive earthbound testing can demonstrate the suitability of components for space applications.

Test stand for control centres    

Inspection robot

Light-weight and mobile robot to inspect pipes on inclines and declines.

Inspection robot    

Delta robot

As part of a study project, igubal® variable double spherical bearings were used in a robot with parallel kinematics due to the individual pitch sizes in small quantities.

Delta robot    

Plastic spherical bearings for electric wheelchairs

Lubrication- and maintenance-free plastic bearings provide the required functional reliability in electric wheelchairs.

Plastic spherical bearings for electric wheelchairs    

Air bearing measuring carriage

In this air bearing measuring carriage, an igubal® spherical bearing is used because of its fast and smooth precisions.

Air bearing measuring carriage    

4D seats

Maintenance-free igubal® pedestal bearings are used in theatre seats; they are noiseless and operate reliably even at high loads.

4D seats    

Asbestos system

For this reason, DryLin® linear guides and igubal® KSTM pedestal bearings are used; these need no maintenance and are not affected by the aggressive asbestos either.

Asbestos system    

Car kit

igus® bearings are used for the gear shift linkage.

Car kit    

Automatic gate

This gate, which can be opened and closed automatically, is used in sport stadiums and is folded like an accordion.

Automatic gate    

Bakery products gripper

This gripper picks up freshly baked goods from a conveyer belt and packs them in baskets.

Bakery products gripper    

Cross-trainer

When the design was revised, the metal pivoting bearings used so far were replaced by igubal® KGLM pivoting bearings.

Cross-trainer    

Electric golf trolley

Four igubal® pivoting bearings from igus® were tested for the floating axle through the drive, and found to be suitable after several months of tests.

Electric golf trolley    

Ergonomic seat mechanism

The use of an igubal® EFSM flange bearing has allowed the development of a maintenance-free and silent seat mechanism element.

Ergonomic seat mechanism    

Flexible roofing

With this system, for example, terraces can be roofed flexibly. The roof is even waterproof in the closed state.

Flexible roofing    

Grain sorter

This machine cleans and sorts all types of grain. First the grain is separated from other material by an air current.

Grain sorter    

Inspection robot 1

This inspection robot was developed especially for use in pipelines.

Inspection robot 1    

Jetpack

Since temperatures of several hundred degrees Celsius occur here, the pilot must wear fire and heat-resistant clothing. The bearings used also have to withstand the high temperatures and pressures.

Jetpack    

Camera tripod

This adjustable camera tripod is usually used for cameras that have their centre of gravity well beyond the bearing axis.

Camera tripod    

Small electric plane

To achieve the best flying conditions, all components must be lightweight and at the same time as durable as possible.

Small electric plane    

Laboratory instrument

The special device needed to be as economical as possible in its construction, and the individual components as maintenance-free and durable as possible.

Laboratory instrument    

Steering in electric wheelchair

Here, igubal® plastic rod end bearings from igus® are used in the steering on an electric wheelchair.

Steering in electric wheelchair    

Mars robot

This robotic vehicle is designed for a very special environment: it will one day be driving on Mars.

Mars robot    

Pagepulltester

This pagepulltester is a high-precision measuring instrument for the bookbinding industry.

Pagepulltester    

Artificial joint

This joint is a new development to be used in prostheses. iglidur® J plain bearings and igubal® spherical bearings are installed in it.

Artificial joint    

Recycling plant

Each machine contains 69 igubal® fl ange bearings, which were chosen on account of their corrosion resistance, lubricant freedom and space-saving design.

Recycling plant    

Salami cutter

With this application, salami is cut into slices. As with all applications in contact with food, here too lubricants cannot be used.

Salami cutter    

Solar aircraft

The prototype of the „Sunseeker Duo“ solar plane is the world‘s first solar-powered two-seater.

Solar aircraft    

Solar silicon growth equipment

Previously, metal bearings and linear guides were used, which rusted quickly and therefore required frequent maintenance.

Solar silicon growth equipment    

Gritting unit

The screwconveyer of the gritting unit has to be mounted movable in order to compensate axial offset and dynamic movements in the screw.

Gritting unit    

Deep-sea drive

This motor is to drive deep-sea robots even at 6,000 metres under the sea.

Deep-sea drive    

Variable Flange Plates

igus® thrust washers and flange bearings were used for the new design. They made the elaborate milling of the base plate unnecessary.

Variable Flange Plates    

Adjustable arm chairs

the armrests of this chair are adjustable, to accommodate the needs of the individual user.

Adjustable arm chairs    

Hydrogen cars

The steering unit, inclusive of the steering rod, is made of carbon fibres and is mounted with igubal® flange bearings and igubal® rod end bearings. These allow a weight reduction of about 30 per cent compared to other solutions.

Hydrogen cars    

Wave machine

Since the tank is filled with salt water, the components used may not be susceptible to corrosion.

Wave machine    

Golf caddy

The igubal® flange and pillow block bearings compensate for the misalignments of the bent structure on this self-propelled golf caddy.

Golf caddy    

Accessory equipment for lawn care

In the accessory equipment for lawn care and outdoor cleaning, the igubal® flange bearings offer good value at a low price and a simple possibility for a corrosion-resistant bearing.

Accessory equipment for lawn care    

Paper banding machine

igubal® as alternative to metallic bearings in paper banding machines prevents the shaft from "seizing".

Paper banding machine    

Leaching systems for bakeries

igubal® flange bearings put an end to corrosion, maintenance and expensive stainless steel alternatives in drive bearings of conveyor systems in the food sector.

Leaching systems for bakeries    

Reflector telescope

Mirror adjustment of the telescope is performed virtually free of backlash with igubal® rod end bearings.

Reflector telescope    

Circular knitting machine

igubal® spherical bearings of the dimensional series E by their maintenance-free feature and the omission of lubricants prevent any failure through the sticking together of textile fibers.

Circular knitting machine    

Mountainbike

The maintenance-free spherical bearings in the carbon yoke compensates for the frame and spring movements resulting from the dynamic quality of driving.

Mountainbike    

CD/DVD industry

Plastic rod end bearings provide for high plant availability.

CD/DVD industry    

Equipment manufacture

Lubrication-free tribopolymers in extreme application - Packaging unit for profiles.

Equipment manufacture    

Hydrogen-powered vehicle

Egg on four wheels - How rod end bearings and plastic bearings make a hydrogen-powered vehicle mobile.

Hydrogen-powered vehicle    

Fertilizer spreader

A dynamic test reflects a service life of over 10 years.

Fertilizer spreader    

Pneumatic flap control

The igubal® clevis joints made of plastic offer a cost-efficient alternative to stainless steel clevis joints

Pneumatic flap control    

Accessories for plastic pneumatic drives

Corrosion-resistance and the low component weight are criteria which tipped the decision in favor of the igubal® components.

Accessories for plastic pneumatic drives    

Lifter system for printing machine

Arguments for noise minimization and reduction of maintenance rate were decisive here.

Lifter system for printing machine    

Camera system

The spherical igubal® coupling between motor and camera dolly permits speeds up to 3m/s in curves.

Camera system    

Weight saving possible even in older systems!

The lifting device's own weight and thereby the rotating bulk and the load of the drive are reduced by the use of igubal® spherical bearings made of tribopolymers.

Weight saving possible even in older systems!    

Mounting station

The pivoting and linear feed movement is implemented by means of DryLin® linear guides and igubal® spherical bearing components.

Mounting station    

Bicycle frame

In this two-wheeler, the linkage of rear wheel to the frame is implemented by means of maintenance-free rod end bearings.

Bicycle frame    

Chocolate decoration system

Decorations without lubricants by using the maintenance-free igubal® rod end bearings make any sweet most relishable.

Chocolate decoration system    

Automatic door and gate drive

In outdoor use, the igubal® rod end bearings perform their task absolutely free of maintenance.

Automatic door and gate drive    

Caravan step

The rod end bearings for the steps of the caravans are tough and insensitive to dirt.

Caravan step    

Conveyor facility

The maintenance-free igubal® rod end bearing is used as connecting component between pneumatic cylinder and adjusting lever.

Conveyor facility    

Kickboard

igubal® rod end bearings serve as connecting elements in the steering sector.

Kickboard    

Displacement measurement sensor

No maintenance, no corrosion and the igubal® rod end bearings, painted in the housing color of the sensor, additionally form one unit with the cylinder

Displacement measurement sensor    

Textile industry

Concentricity errors and shocks are compensated for by means of spherical rod end bearings in the support of the thread guide unit for the thread winder.

Textile industry    

Hose skiving machine

The used igubal® spherical bearings are insensitive to media in the surroundings and are thereby absolutely maintenance-free.

Hose skiving machine    

Stadium paneling

igubal® spherical bearings are used in the main bearing assembly of every individual slat due to their freedom from maintenance, corrosion resistance and atmospheric resistance.

Stadium paneling    

Special-purpose vehicle

Dust-repellant and maintenance-free: The tough rod end bearings and spherical bearings do a sturdy job in the special-purpose municipal vehicles.

Special-purpose vehicle    

Current consumer

igubal® spherical bearings as insulating components in current consumers of the subway.

Current consumer    

Enveloping machine

The stroke movement for a high-frequency, fully automatic enveloping system is implemented by plastic pillow block bearings and rod end bearings.

Enveloping machine    

Conveyor system for the food industry

Abrasion, corrosion, high service life, resistance against cleaners were criteria for an application in the food sector.

Conveyor system for the food industry    

Transport equipment

Simple pivot movements as well as compensation of misalignments are implemented in bearing assemblies of drive shafts and chain sprocket bearings with plastic pillow block bearings.

Transport equipment    

Recumbent bike

igubal® rod end bearings are used in the titling mechanism of this recumbant bike.

Recumbent bike    

Speed boat model

It is possible to compensate alignment faults with igubal® spherical bearings.

Speed boat model    

Leaching system

In leaching systems and transport equipment, igubal® pillow block and flange bearings compensate for potential errors in the alignment of sheet metal equipment.

Leaching system    

Foodstuff machine

Both the housing material and the universal ball and socket connection are made of food-compatible materials.

Foodstuff machine    

Wine cellar machine

The rod end bearings in the connection couplings withstand the fruit acid of grapes.

Wine cellar machine    

Packaging machines

Long service life with concurrent food-safe design characterizes this application.

Packaging machines    

Rescue Robot

With his small robot, Jonas Thees took part in the 2006 RoboCup in Bremen. The 14-year-old won the Junior World Championship title in the Rescue Robot section for his design.

Rescue Robot     

Screw tester

9.9 million strokes tested without wear.

Screw tester    

Tilt-table

Tilt-table for turning laboratory specimens.

Tilt-table    

Water regulation system

The used clevis joints and rod end bearings are corrosion-free and usable in liquid media.

Water regulation system    

Transport vehicle with 4-wheel Ackermann steering

Maintenance-free track accuracy

Transport vehicle with 4-wheel Ackermann steering    

Fully automatic tire fitting lines

No more expensive repairs

Fully automatic tire fitting lines    

Automatic cup supply system for cup filling line

No lubricants in food sector

Automatic cup supply system for cup filling line    

Screen facade for primary school

For wind and rain

Screen facade for primary school    

Packaging unit for profiles

Downtimes to zero

Packaging unit for profiles    

“Portamobil” assembly aid for door leaves

Can be handled alone

“Portamobil” assembly aid for door leaves    

Helicopter drone

Light and free from play

Helicopter drone    

Vibration training appliance

Good suspension and economical

Vibration training appliance    

Chemist prescription printer

Precise and effective

Chemist prescription printer    

Hand-operated water pump

Resistant to wind and rain

Hand-operated water pump    

Small LED spotlight

Movable and attractive

Small LED spotlight    

Cleaning robot

Light and clean

Cleaning robot    

Student project "PLC laboratory"

High positioning accuracy

Student project "PLC laboratory"    

Bipod for sports firearm

Maintenance-free and resilient

Bipod for sports firearm    

Offshore

The bearings reliably transmit the high radial centering forces with low friction and free of stick-slip and minimize the arm system's friction through their integrated start-up.

Offshore    

Filling valve

The challenge: The operating temperature is maximum 140°C and the applied material must be resistant to all cleaning agents used in the beverages industry.

Filling valve    

Climbing robot

The objective was to keep the weight of the climbing robot as low as possible, so that it can move with suction cups on smooth surfaces like window panes.

Climbing robot    

Handle dispenser

Application head of a handle dispenser.

Handle dispenser    

Track vehicle

A problem that vexed the designers was the total weight and the occurring leverages. Here the weight should be saved.

Track vehicle    

Electrically driven children's car

Polymer bearings in electric cars for children: Top quality was achieved.

Electrically driven children's car    

Rotor head

iglidur® G is the problem solver in this rotor head The rotor blades rotate about 400 times per minute and thereby execute oscillating motion with maximum 30°.

Rotor head    

Banknote processing

Locking mechanism of a banknote processing machine: The double joint enables all necessary degrees of freedom and also absorbs the tensile strength.

Banknote processing    

Steering linkage

Steering linkage of the hydrogen-powered world record vehicle HYSUN 3000.

Steering linkage    

3-axis tripod

Requirements for the design were stiffness, low-priced relocation and dirt resistance.

3-axis tripod    

Measuring equipment

The igubal® ball heads are particularly well-suited for this requirement. They do not indicate any notable clearance even after about 15 million operation cycles.

Measuring equipment    

Helicopter load system

A novel external load system for helicopters required a low weight, high reliability with simultaneous weather resistance and freedom from maintenance.

Helicopter load system    

Kinematic system

Kinematic system for automobiles: The employed plain bearing enables a tolerance adjustment of the loading platform to the side paneling.

Kinematic system    

3D flow distributor

Ball bearing assemblies are very precarious due to the lubricant particularly under water. Stainless steel guidances cannot be considered due to the high costs. Plastic is used also for hygienic reasons.

3D flow distributor    

Bagging machine

Application of polymer plain bearings in bagging machines for caustic soda.

Bagging machine    

Rotary sorter

The igubal® flange bearings were by far the most cost-efficient alternative in comparison.

Rotary sorter    

Powder coating-
plant

Conventional guide systems break down as no oil or fat whatsoever should enter the dipping bath.

Powder coating-  plant    

Special bikes and therapeutic accessories

Plain, spherical and linear bearings made of plastic help to improve mobility and the quality of life

Special bikes and therapeutic accessories    

Basketball shooting device

Basketball shooting device for wheelchairs: Due to igus® products only a little energy is lost through friction, and there is only a minimal angular shift when the shaft accelerates vertically.

Basketball shooting device    

Body-Turn-Bike

Transfer of the steering movement in a "Body-Turn-Bike" by two rod end bearings.

Body-Turn-Bike    

Meat portioner

JAM-08 pillow block bearing and KBRM-08 rod end bearing in a meat portioner / packing device

Meat portioner    

Garden appliance

Truck-mounted customized spraying systems for gardening and tree care companies.

Garden appliance    

Recumbent trike

Due to their lower weight and better suspension qualities, the company switched to igubal® rod end bearings.

Recumbent trike    

Smoke extraction system

Polymer rod end bearing in a smoke extraction system at a meat factory.

Smoke extraction system    

Cutting machine

The spherical bearing used compensates the angle misalignment. That means no more maintenance is necessary.

Cutting machine    

Sit-on ski

Used in difficult conditions: vibration, random forces, sudden shocks and cold, wet snow.

Sit-on ski    

Snowboard-like appliance

Snowboard-like appliance

Snowboard-like appliance    

Soccer table

Application of a high-value spindle lift table with steep-threaded spindle, linear guide systems and igubal® spherical bearings.

Soccer table    

PLC laboratory trainer

The aim of the concept is to demonstrate to the students how to handle a programmable logic controller (abbreviation: PLC) in an attractive way.

PLC laboratory trainer    

Eraser robot

The eraser robot of the Hans Böckler-Schule at the Berufskolleg Münster combines technology with cultural history.

Eraser robot    

Bag forming, filling and sealing machine

Maintenance-free plastic bearing defy all outer influences and provides for the required service life.

Bag forming, filling and sealing machine    

Cordless screwdriver race

The unusual design for a recumbent bicycle has got what it takes: cordless screwdrivers are used here to drive it.

Cordless screwdriver race    

Photovoltaic tracking system

Wind, sand and sun: Plastic plain bearing for solar technology

Photovoltaic tracking system    

Fitness equipment

New solutions for fitness equipment save production costs and assembly times.

Fitness equipment    

Straightening technology

Quick, straight, precise: this is how the requirements in sheet metal machining can be summarized. Sophisticated straightening technology makes all this possible.

Straightening technology    

Delta robot

Model of a delta robot for the linear optimization of process routes.

Delta robot    

Driving beer crate

Bearings on steering linkage and connection in a racing beer crate.

Driving beer crate    

Model aircraft

Linkage on the aileron in a model aircraft - without wear.

Model aircraft    

Formula 1 racing car

Steering/damper connection on a Formula 1 model racing car.

Formula 1 racing car    

Model helicopter

Reliable and vibration dampening linkage on the swashplate and the rotor guide.

Model helicopter    

Model speed boat

Stabilization and alignment of the drive shaft.

Model speed boat    

Model ship

Built-in solid lubricants guarantee consistent functionality.

Model ship    

Horizontal forming, filling and sealing machines

On these horizontal forming, filling and sealing machines, the total freedom from maintenance over the machines' entire life cycle was particularly important for the customer.

Horizontal forming, filling and sealing machines    

Cow cleaner

Lubrication-free polymer bearing technology for cow cleaners

Cow cleaner    
Further interesting applications from extremely diverse areas can be found here.

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