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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
By Jared Worth Belt drives fail for a short list of reasons, and tension sits near the top of that list. Correct tension occupies a narrow band. Too little, and the teeth ratchet across...
As technology advances, so do the capabilities of industries such as manufacturing and engineering. 3D printing is a popular talking point, and for good reason. It allows more complex designs to become a reality,...
Industry 5.0 marks the beginning of a new phase of industrialization, one that places people at the centre of technological advancement. While Industry 4.0 focused primarily on automation, connectivity, and efficiency, Industry 5.0 combines...