Plastic machine elements from Igus help the southern German company to manufacture high-quality, durable equipment and implement it for demanding customers.

With many years of expertise from various industries, Husch offers first-class handling systems made in Germany. Since its foundation in 2011, the industrial systems provider has specialized in the development and production of hand-guided manipulators and load handling devices, such as parallel or telescopic manipulators. Production takes place exclusively in Germany: all work steps from design to assembly are carried out in Höhenkirchen. This guarantees customers the highest quality, absolute reliability and the greatest possible flexibility. Solutions made of high-performance plastics from Igus, such as energy chains or plain bearings, are used in almost all products from the experts in Bavaria.

Advantage of CAD integration

Husch Handhabungstechnik has relied on Igus products right from the start - and for good reason. "The most important key points for our products are a long service life as well as robustness and the associated freedom from maintenance," explains Andreas Dengler, Industry Manager Automotive Factories at Igus. "And there are other arguments too," adds Lorenz Humpel. "Igus has always been able to score points with its high functionality and, ten years ago, in particular with its excellent CAD integration," says the Managing Director of the southern German company with around 20 employees. "We always use the CAD models provided from the comprehensive library and the online configurator."

Most of Husch's customers come from the automotive industry. The handling solutions are used both on the store floor during assembly and in harsher foundry environments. "Operational safety is a valuable asset in automotive production, for example in wheel handling," emphasizes Dengler. "One of the important requirements here is a high level of employee protection." However, Husch products can also be used in numerous other industrial sectors and operations, such as the food and glass industries. Lifting and moving with ease is always at the heart of the project task.

Motion Plastics in practice

The various projects often require tight installation spaces or movement around several axes. The Igus products used, such as the Triflex 3D energy chain in the highly dynamic moment manipulator for lifting or screwing applications in the underfloor area, always guarantee particularly smooth running and ease of movement. Operators immediately notice this with the manually operated handling devices. "Furthermore, our energy chains and the various plain bearings are characterized by maximum reliability, simple assembly and individual applicability," states Dengler. Standard energy chains from the 1500 and 2500 series are used in the smooth-running surface crane systems as well as B14 or B15 Easychain systems in the customer-specific load handling attachments. Various parts from the Cologne-based plastics specialist's plain bearing range, such as Iglidur G, Iglidur Z or slewing ring bearings from the PRT series, can also be found as guide rings in the smooth-running cylinders. The Drylin Q linear guides are used for upstream centering and thrust washers in rotary drives.

On average, it takes 16 weeks from the first contact inquiry to the end of the project; however, this period varies considerably depending on the complexity and scope of the customer order. The range is between 20 hours of pure development time for simpler tasks and can be as much as 500 hours for large projects. "We are happy to support Husch here. For example, our e-chains with rollers from the E2000 family increase both service life and ease of handling. However, standard chains without rollers are cheaper in direct comparison," explains Andreas Dengler. "In each case, it is important to weigh up which variant represents the more cost-effective solution with the best technical functionality for the customer." If required, Igus is called in as a consulting partner and, if necessary, technical advice and support is also provided on site at the end customer's premises. An intensive exchange with the Husch design department is practiced here. In addition, support is also provided for system test set-ups.

Always up to date

"We really appreciate the high-quality components and materials in our day-to-day work," reports Managing Director Humpel. Added to this are the excellent ease of assembly, quick and easy filling and short assembly times. "Igus is always at the cutting edge of technology with its products - we can rely on that. This also applies explicitly to our experience with advice and service. It goes without saying that Igus and its products are great. That's why we have no complaints from our staff. We could also say, 'No complaints, no complaints'," smiles Humpel. Igus has always been on board as a partner since Husch was founded. "As the expectations are always met and as long as the price stability with high quality is given, we are happy to stay with Igus," says Managing Director Humpel. "The corporate principles of the partners involved simply have to fit together. A high standard must be maintained and value creation should take place in the immediate vicinity. Instead of constantly looking only at the last price when purchasing, we value reliability, joint cooperation and excellent quality - and with these guidelines and Igus on board, we have been on the right track from the beginning until today."