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Design journey

04 July 2013

One of the latest products from igus combines rotary and linear movement. CDA visited the company's headquarters in Germany to find out more

Although most companies like to tout their investment in R&D, start digging below the surface and many are pretty reluctant to give away much detail. This could be down to many things: a fear of industrial espionage, sensitive economic times and the pace of technological development might all  influence how open a company is about how they get their products to market.

It was, therefore, a refreshing change on a recent visit to igus' headquarters to be shown not just a finished product, but to also be guided through the design processes that turned an initial idea into a fully fledged production model.

At igus all products are fully designed and developed in-house. Of course, a significant number of new product ideas come from the design team itself and new installations often involve a designer visiting a site to come up with the best solution for a particular application. There are also many customer requests that come in via the sales team - sometimes these can involve a simple 'tweak' to an existing product, or a new way of using an established line, but they can also lead to completely new developments.

Recognising the value of customer input when it comes to new product development, igus also operates a Christmas 'wish list', whereby customers can send in a request for anything that they think the company may be able to help with. Last year alone, igus received over 300 'wishes', so there is never going to be a shortage of ideas to take forward.

OK, so you're not going to get an Xbox 720 or PS4, and if IGUS does develop a new product on the back of your wish, you will actually have to pay for the equipment if you end up using it, but really, what could be more valuable than a new solution to an industrial conundrum?

When three-dimensional chains such as the igus triflex chains are used, energy supply is possible in all directions

One of the latest products to be developed by igus is the e-spool, a compact, space saving energy chain which enables users to guide many different cables in narrow spaces. Designed in response to customer demand for a solution that is more durable than traditional cable drums, the  e-spool is easy to install and flexible, providing cables reliably in any direction for travel up to 14m.

Offering reliable operation for a wide range of lifting applications, the new energy chain system links two different igus energy chains: a standard igus e-chain from the E2/000 series is routed via a spool, and a twisterband connects the spool with the shaft bracket, which serves as the interface to the permanently installed cables.

The chain is compactly wound up in its initial position and, thanks to an integrated return spring in the spool, the desired length and tension of the energy chain is always ensured. The e-spool chain is far more flexible than traditional cable drums, because instead of featuring sliding contacts, which are typically found in classic cable drums, the cables for data, compressed air and fluids can be connected without interruption and can be replaced or modified at any time.

It is available in three different lengths (0-4m, 4-7m and 7-14m) and two inner chain widths (80mm and 125mm), enabling many different media and diameter cables to be housed in one drum.  The twisterband TB 30 can hold cables with diameters of up to 16mm and cables can be routed one or both sides of the spool depending on individual customer requirements.

The e-spool is a truly multi-dimensional solution and when three-dimensional chains such as the igus triflex chains are used, energy supply is possible in all directions, whether it’s horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

It is ideal where space is limited and is suitable for many lifting applications where users are looking for space-saving energy chains, such as lifting platforms, cherry pickers, sorting lines, mobile cranes, platform applications, assembly or process cranes with grippers, or lighting rigs in the theatre industry. In addition, users can save space associated with storing the chain, as it has a smaller footprint than traditional zig zag chains used in these applications.

Key Points

  • At igus all products are fully designed and developed in-house
  • The e-spool is a compact, space saving energy chain which enables users to guide many different cables in narrow spaces
  • Offering reliable operation for a wide range of lifting applications, the new energy chain system links two different igus energy chains


 
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