Producing, Testing and Researching in Cologne

Press releasePM0708-GB

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Producing, testing and researching in Cologne

igus announced 16.5 percent growth with tribo-plastic. Expansion of factory capacity. More than 80 entries for the European energy chain competition "vector award"

With the overall increase in turnover of 16.5 percent, igus GmbH, manufacturer of tribo-plastic components and systems optimised in terms of friction and wear have closed its books on the business year 2007. The consolidated group turnover has increased to 276 million euros from across its 26 branches around the world. igus manufactures, tests and researches on a vast area of 20,000m² at its headquarters in Cologne.

In November 2007 construction work began on increasing factory space, as Managing Director Frank Blase reported at the Hanover Fair.

At a press conference, Blase took the opportunity to present newly developed products from the main areas of plastic energy chains, special cables and polymer plain bearings. They consist of the following main properties: to minimise maintenance, to increase the service life of machines and finally to make assembly faster and easier. Construction work started on the new production areas in November 2007. "The factory is being expanded by more than 50 percent," said Blase, "and production is due to start on the first completed areas as soon as autumn of this year." At the same time, large halls have been rented on the neighbouring property and have already been put into operation. "Continual growth is being supported from this side, too," said Blase.

Both Frank Blase and Harald Nehring are in overall charge of energy chain systems at igus. They jointly presented the results of the European competition "vector award", an initiative for innovative and novel energy supply applications with energy chains or induction/wireless technologies. More than 80 entries were submitted, from Finland to France, from Romania to Great Britain, from Switzerland to Spain. The "vector award" is a joint initiative from igus together with the tool machine laboratory (WZL) at RWTH Aachen, the Rhineland Technical Board (TÜV), Product Safety and Quality Division, and the Special Automation Association within the German Central Association for Electrical Engineering and the Electronics Industry (ZVEI). The energy chain competition is under the patronage of the Industrial Automation division of the Hanover Fair.

Gold: Rapid curves

with energy chain "E4/4"

The golden "vector" and € 5,000 in prize money went to Dipl. Ing. Markus Domeier from the company Güdel GmbH in Osterburken. The company has designed a customer-specific curve-compatible portal and transfer system for the automatic placement of truck shafts, in order to optimise production workflows. The multi-carrier system has several carriages and achieves higher system availability than comparable conventional linear link-ups. For the first time in industrial automation, an energy chain was used in a curved application with a very long travel distance. The igus system "E4/4" bridges both the 45 m long travel distance and the 90° curve. "The plastic energy chain E4/4 is very strong in long applications as well as in freely suspended applications lying on the side," says Markus Domaier. In this case, the system was used lying on its side to be able to realise the rapid curve movement.

Silver: "E6" problem-free

in top-level sport

The jury awarded the silver "vector" to Daniel Pfleger from Rail & Tracking Systems GmbH, Winnweiler. The company manufacturers systems for HD-TV transmission during track and field events, shows and concerts. For this application, the outside broadcasting vans have to be connected to the cameras by fibre optic cables. At speeds of up to 14 m/s, extremely fast accelerations and temperatures often up to 45°C on account of direct sun radiation, there's no room for error. The plastic energy chain "E6" from igus is used under these difficult conditions. The energy supply is fast, yet particularly quiet and low-vibration, as current tests from RWTH Aachen and TÜV Rhineland have shown. The "E6" has already been tested at 37 dB(A) self-supporting at 1 m/s in the igus test laboratory.

Bronze: Sturdy "E4/4"

in a Scottish tidal power station

The bronze "vector" went to Mike Galbraith from the company Fountain Design Limited in Bishop Auckland, England. The company's tidal turbine generates power through the tidal flow off the coast of the Scottish Orkney Islands. The turbine has a diameter of 6 metres. Under aggressive environmental conditions, an igus energy chain 4040 from the "E4/4" series protects the "Chainflex" motor and control cables during the lifting and lowering movements of the turbine. The travel distance is approximately 20 metres in a vertical direction, both above and below water. The lubricant and rust-free plastic energy chain has a very low maintenance level at open sea. “A metal chain,” says Mike Galbraith, “would not have met the combined climate related and mechanical requirements.” A "vector award" brochure with detailed reports about all applications can be requested free of charge by e-mail from . Films about the winning entries and further information about the competition are available under or

Picture PM0708-01: igus GmbH, Cologne

For the first time in industrial automation an energy chain, the igus system "E4/4" is being used in a curved application with a 45m travel distance. Dipl.-Ing. Markus Domeier from Güdel GmbH, Osterburken, won the golden "vector" for this daring application.

Picture PM0708-02: igus GmbH, Cologne

The silver "vector" went to Daniel Pfleger from Rail & Tracking Systems GmbH, Winnweiler. At speeds of 14 m/s, extremely fast accelerations and temperatures often as high as 45C, the company uses the quiet igus energy chain "E6" for HD-TV transmission at events.

Picture PM0708-03: igus GmbH, Cologne

Lubricant and rust-free igus energy chain "E4/4" above and below the waterline in the tidal power station off the Scottish Orkney Islands. For this application, the jury awarded the bronze "vector" to Mike Galbraith from the company Fountain Design Limited in Bishop Auckland, England.

Photo PM0708-04: igus GmbH, Cologne

Frank Blase, Managing Director at igus: "Machine components and systems made of tribo-plastic will keep for longer and cost less, which is ultimately our mission."

Photo PM0708-05: igus GmbH, Cologne

In 2007, igus achieved turnover growth of 16.5 percent. In autumn of this year, the company will be putting the first areas of more than 50 % factory expansion into operation.

PRESS CONTACT:

André Kluth

Corporate Communication Manager

igus GmbH

Spicher Str. 1a

D-51147 Köln

Tel. +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 611

Fax+49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 631

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