Service life as a decisive parameter

This always raises the question of service life. In order to answer this question as reliably as possible, Igus operates a test laboratory covering over 2700 square meters. Here, a wide variety of bearings and other components made from a wide range of materials are tested around the clock for wear and friction coefficient and thus their longevity.

Whether they withstand tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of cycles - all the data collected from 10,000 tests a year is fed into the company's online database so that the customer can use the service life calculator to see directly which change (e.g. in load or speed) has which effect.

More flexibility thanks to 3D

3D printing is rapidly gaining in importance - also for moving and stressed components. In order to achieve even greater flexibility in the production of complex shapes and small series - or even prototypes - Igus is also researching and developing new 3D printing materials for moving applications. The same applies here as for the bearing parts produced by injection molding: Knowledge of the service life of the bearing technology used is an unbeatable advantage when it comes to operating moving applications safely and reliably.

This is exactly where the online tools come in: They make it possible to precisely calculate the service life of Igus products on the basis of research and test results. In just four steps, the Iglidur expert system records the individual requirements and then provides the user with a comprehensive online suitability and service life analysis of all lubrication- and maintenance-free materials. As mentioned, this exact service life calculation is available for 3D-printed bearings as well as injection-molded bearings.

Materials for high wear resistance

The Cologne-based company has continuously expanded its range since 2014. With the range of six Tribo filaments for the FDM process and two materials for selective laser sintering, bearings can now be produced and reliably operated directly in industrial applications. The 3D printing service allows prototypes or special parts for small series to be produced quickly, easily and at low cost, from configuration to ordering.

Economical use of materials and energy as well as fast and individual production open up enormous savings potential. Thanks to extensive tests in the laboratory, the service life of additively manufactured parts can be precisely predicted, just as with injection-molded parts. This calculation of the service life of 3D-printed bearings is integrated in the Iglidur Expert for the tribo-filaments Iglidur I3 and I180.(www.igus.de/iglidur-experte)