Tech up, cost down: igus presents Cutting Edge Technology at EMO 2023

In addition to the shortage of skilled workers, high energy costs, coupled with increasing cost pressure and falling order intake, remain the major challenges facing the machine tool industry. Those who want to survive in this environment must produce even better and more cost-effectively. That is why igus is presenting Cutting Edge Technology at EMO 2023. Cutting-edge technologies that take the pressure off companies: low-cost robots as easy to operate as a computer game, an online service for the rapid production of CNC components made of high-performance plastic, a 3D-printed assembly rack and a low-cost energy chain for unsupported applications.

The situation in German industry is coming to a head. In August 2023, 43.1 percent of companies complained of shortages of qualified workers, reports the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich. One possible relief: automation. Where people are no longer available, robots take over joining, loading, assembling and gluing. So far, this has mostly been the privilege of large companies with sufficient budget and know-how. “In these times of crisis, it must be a matter of ‘tech up, cost down’ being possible across the board for small and medium-sized enterprises as well. We realise automation projects from as little as 2,000 euros – quickly and at low risk,” says Alexander Mühlens, head of the Low Cost Automation business unit at igus. “We make this possible with RBTX, an online marketplace where companies can assemble cost-effective components from now over 100 suppliers according to the modular principle – supported by our RBTXpert service. Our automation experts find an individual solution together with the customer via a free remote video call. 400 projects that have already been solved can also be viewed online, 95 per cent of which are under 12,000 euros in investment.” On display at EMO 2023: the Rebel Cobot “made in Cologne”, an articulated arm robot made of high-performance plastic with a net weight of only 8 kg for 4,970 euros. With a load capacity of 2 kg, it is suitable for loading and unloading machines and light pick-and-place tasks on the assembly line. Thanks to the free robot software igus robot control with digital twin, it is as easy to operate as a computer game. With only minimal programming knowledge.

Individual solutions – quick and easy

In times when many manufacturing companies are under pressure from external factors, smooth processes are crucial. This begins with the procurement of special components manufactured with CNC machines. “In order to reduce the coordination effort, especially in time-critical cases, we offer our online CNC service and now enable even faster and more convenient processing with just a few clicks,” says Patrick Schwitalla, Lean Engineer iglidur Halbzeuge. Customers only have to upload a 3D model of their component as a step file. The tool performs an automated feasibility analysis and provides visual feedback on production-critical points. In this way, individual turned and milled parts can be configured and ordered in just three minutes. Ready-to-install energy chain systems can also be brought to the machine quickly and safely with igus: With the 3D-printed p-rack, igus has developed a fast, simple and practically unlimited customisable transport and assembly solution. “It can be adapted to the respective customer requirements with millimetre precision. All add-on parts are printed within 36 hours,” says Christian Stremlau, Head of Business Unit readychain and readycable. An aid that not only reduces assembly time by up to 66 percent, but is also about 80 percent lighter than metal counterparts. Another special feature: all add-on parts can also be printed from compostable corn starch.

Low-cost energy chain for unsupported applications

In times of rising costs, it is increasingly important for industrial companies to avoid oversizing and to invest in the functions that are actually needed. Therefore, igus has developed the E4Q.64L for applications with medium loads, for which the proven E4Q e-chain was previously oversized. “In this way, we can offer users the advantages of our proven E4Q energy chain, and at a price that is up to 20 percent lower,” says Christian Ziegler, Head of Product Management e-chains®. Among other things, because the design has been modified. For example, the side plates on the chain links are narrower. But the advantages of the big brother remain. Thanks to a clip fastener, users can open the opening bars of the e-chain in seconds with just two fingers. And thanks to the absence of tools, they save around 40 percent of the time needed for assembly.

Less scraping with Tribo-Tape

With Tribo-Tape sliding film made of iglidur high-performance plastics, igus addresses a multitude of challenges faced by its customers. It is suitable for lining tribologically stressed surfaces and moulds, for optimising transport tasks, as edge protection and last but not least as an embossed film for machine beds. With this new development, igus is pursuing the goal of eliminating scraping in the machine bed. By forming the optimum surface for the friction of two surfaces by means of the embossed film. This not only significantly reduces the scraping effort, but also reduces stick-slip effect and wear.

Revolutionarily simple: Product development in the Metaverse

But igus goes one step further in product development and has created its own metaverse with the iguverse. In future, machines and systems can be developed there faster, more cost-effectively and more sustainably than ever before. Customers, engineers and sales staff from all over the world can implement entire engineering projects together in virtual reality. Through joint product development in the virtual world, feasibility analyses can be carried out that reveal design weaknesses at an early stage. Assembly and installation simulations are also possible in virtual reality to avoid planning errors in advance. For example, automation solutions can also be planned, controlled and tested in virtual space. igus will also be demonstrating the diverse application possibilities of the iguverse at the EMO with new use cases.

For more information, please visit: https://www.igus.de