igus® Canada Blog & Toolbox
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The linear bearing decision engineers get wrong: why sliding bearings deserve a second look
By Jared Worth For decades, recirculating ball bearing guides have been the default choice in linear motion system design. They are well understood, widely available, and carry an almost reflexive assumption of superiority. But...
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Lead screws for vertical machine tool axes: load, self-locking, and sizing
By Jared Worth A vertical axis carrying 100 kg (220 lb) puts roughly 981 N (221 lbf) of static axial load on the lead screw before the machine accelerates or cuts. That load is...
Plain bearings for high speeds? What are the limits?
By Lars Butenschon “Plain bearings are particularly suitable for high loads at low speeds.” This statement appears in many technical references, but it can be misleading in practice. Terms such as high load and...
From Riverside Paths to Mediterranean Breezes: The Final Chapter of the igus:bike Worldtour
By Michael Poepke The igus:bike Worldtour reached its grand finale with an adventurous two-week ride spanning 1,072 kilometers from Karlsruhe, Germany to Montpellier, France. With 12 demanding stages, breathtaking landscapes, and the ultimate test...
Automated plastic production? Yes, with igus Low Cost Automation
By Christian Schafer Efficiency and productivity are critical in the plastics processing industry. As manufacturers face increasing pressure to reduce cycle times, improve consistency, and control costs, automation has become an essential part of...
How to connect the igus Robot Control to your PC
By Adriana Glazer When purchasing various robot kinematics, igus Robot Control is optionally available as a switch cabinet version or top hat rail version and offers the user an easy entry into automation. The...
How to optimize every component for injection moulding
By Lars Butenschon It is a designer’s worst-case scenario: in designing and manufacturing an injection mould, days and weeks go by. When production finally begins and the first component falls out of the mould,...
Telescopic rails vs. linear guides: which one does your application need?
By Jared Worth A control panel has to swing clear of its enclosure. A tray of test instruments has to come all the way out, not most of the way. A battery pack has...
Why polymer bearings are the preferred choice for medical and laboratory equipment
By Jared Worth Medical and laboratory equipment places unique demands on motion components: it has to run quietly, reliably, and cleanly while meeting strict hygiene requirements. Traditional metal bearings need grease, scheduled maintenance, and...
How one motor controller can simplify your entire automation system
By Jared Worth Automation systems have never been more capable — or more complex. As machines take on more axes, faster cycle times, and tighter tolerances, the motion control architecture underneath them tends to...
How lead screws improve pick-and-place accuracy in packaging robots
By Jared Worth Packaging lines are judged on where a product lands, not just on how fast it gets there. PMMI research found that manufacturing managers at consumer packaged goods companies rate their packaging...
The supporting movements that decide machine tool reliability
By Jared Worth A machine tool is bought on a short list of numbers. Positioning tolerance, surface finish, cycle time, and spindle power fill the quote and the comparison spreadsheet. Those same numbers explain...