Melting glaciers and declining fish stocks are just two examples of the effects of climate change in Alaska. The Hoepner brothers from Berlin are developing their "Urmel" amphibious vehicle to raise public awareness of the issue and promote alternative drives.

The two brothers Paul and Hansen Hoepner have a thirst for adventure and invention in their blood. In 2012, they cycled 13,600 kilometers from Berlin to Shanghai. In 2015, they traveled around the world in just 104 days without any money, contacts or social media. And now the two want to cross a distance of 4,000 kilometers within six months in Alaska with the self-built and pedal-powered Urmel.

"Urmel is designed in such a way that it can drive off the beaten track over slopes, snow and ice, as well as through the terrain and rivers. Urmel can also swim, roll and run," explains Paul Hoepner. Extreme conditions, especially for the bearings: Metallic bearings quickly proved to be unsuitable because they are heavy and require lubricant, which washes out on contact with water and thus gets into the environment. In addition, dirt could stick to the lubrication and block the bearing. Wear-resistant Iglidur plain bearings and thrust washers made of high-performance plastics are therefore the optimum solution. Their freedom from lubricants and their low weight were decisive criteria for their use in Urmel.

Wear-resistant special solutions made from tribo-polymers
The special design of the Urmel chassis also required corresponding wear-resistant bearings as special solutions. The Hoepner brothers therefore opted for plain bearings and semi-finished products from Igus. "We were able to turn thrust washers and flanged bushings ourselves from the high-performance plastic Iglidur J, which are used, for example, in the suspension of the main axle, the pedals or the track rod," explains Paul Hoepner. Iglidur J is not only lubricant-free but also has low coefficients of friction.

The inventors also opted for Iglidur plain bearings made from the Allrounder material Iglidur G in the steering system, the wheels, the drive cable bearings and the drive shaft. The wear-resistant Tribo-Tape made of the FDA-compliant material Iglidur A160 reduces the friction of the metal parts and thus the drive energy.

Support wanted
Igus and other companies are supporting the project of the young inventors from Berlin. The Hoepner brothers are currently looking for further sponsors so that Urmel can start his journey through Alaska next year. Private individuals can also bring Urmel a little more ice for as little as five euros. as