Automated guided vehicles are an important building block for advancing the automation of material handling processes. Goods can be moved and orders processed in 24/7 operation. Lubrication and maintenance-free Iglidur plain bearings and durable Drylin linear drives impress in the flow of goods with rare downtimes and a predictable service life.

The low weight of the high-performance polymers, which can be calculated online, is another plus point, as they weigh up to 60 percent less than conventional metal bearings in the case of Iglidur plain bearings, for example, and less load requires less energy. Highly flexible Chainflex cables and e-chains complete the portfolio of components for moving applications that Igus offers for the industry.

In lifting units, Drylin ZLW and Drylin SLW axes equipped with polymer sliding foils ensure linear movement. © Igus

Autonomous speedsters - automated guided vehicles
To move goods, AGVs are often equipped with lifting technology and a tilting device. The type of design is adapted to the conditions of the warehouse and the products. For example, Iglidur plain bearings made from high-performance plastics are used in tilting devices and scissor lifts. In lifting units, Drylin ZLW and Drylin SLW axes equipped with maintenance-free polymer plain bearings ensure linear movement.

Knapp uses the latter in its new generation Open Shuttle. Two Drylin SLW spindle lift tables with sliding nuts provide the lift, which can be used to compensate for different transfer heights. The Open Shuttles are particularly flexible transport solutions because, as autonomous vehicles, they adapt to restructuring in the warehouse and decide for themselves where to go.

Energy chains for small installation spaces
The smaller an AGV is, the less installation space is available to install the appropriate cable carrier. Igus has the E-chain E2 micro in its range for such situations. It is light, stable and easy to open. With its small bending radius and an internal height from five millimetres, it forms a strong team together with the highly flexible Chainflex cables. The more than 1,350 Chainflex cable types have been specially developed for use in the energy chain and are available from stock in the desired length and without minimum order quantities.

Chainflex cables are available in a variety of designs, including those that can be used at temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius, for example in cold stores. With different bending radii and the jacket materials PVC, PUR and TPE, Igus has solutions for the respective bearing applications. Another advantage is the service life calculation: For each cable series, this can be determined individually for each application using the online calculator. The data comes from Igus' own 2,750 square meter in-house test laboratory. Based on the tests, Igus is the only manufacturer to offer a 36-month guarantee. as