The event, hosted by Managing Director Matthew Aldridge, showcased the company’s commitment to making manufacturing more efficient, reliable, and sustainable with its lubricant-free motion plastics.
Motion plastics in action
The day kicked off with a presentation, which included testimonials from igus customers Automation & Robotics and CNC Guru, both of whom explained how polymer-based components had played a pivotal role in their operations. They highlighted the key benefits of igus products: lower maintenance costs, increased durability, and reduced reliance on external lubricants.
CNC Guru has particularly benefitted from the ‘iguverse’ – igus’s virtual reality space.
“The iguverse provided an incredibly immersive experience, that drew me in on multiple levels – visually, technically, and physically,” commented Kyle Shenton, Director of CNC Guru.
“It didn’t just engage my senses: it actively stimulated my cognitive abilities, enabling
me to not only absorb information but also interact with it dynamically.”
Virtual reality will play a significant role in the future of engineering, Shenton believes. “There’s no doubt that VR will eventually become a crucial tool in numerous sectors, much like the transformative impact of the internet,” he said.
“The immersive nature of VR holds the potential to revolutionise how we work, learn, and interact within different fields, from education to healthcare, entertainment, and beyond.”
The enjoyneering showroom
At the heart of the enjoyneering initiative is the newly opened interactive showroom. Here, igus presented its latest innovations in motion plastics, showcasing products for hundreds of industries and applications.
Among the most notable initiatives was the ‘GO ZERO LUBRICATION’ campaign, which seeks to eliminate the need for external lubricants. According to igus, 50 percent of all lubricants
worldwide end up in the environment – and 1L of oil poisons 1,000,000L of drinking water. And this level of waste doesn’t just affect the environment, either – it also has an economic impact, costing industry $750 billion annually in machine downtime, due to insufficient lubrication.
By replacing traditional lubricants with tribologically optimised materials, igus aims to reduce both operational costs and environmental impact for manufacturers by eradicating the need for lubrication altogether.
The polymers in all of igus’s components – from 3D printing materials to bearings – contain solid lubricants that dispense evenly, providing consistent lubrication. This not only enhances the components’ lifespan, but it also significantly reduces, or even eliminates, maintenance time and costs.
Behind the scenes: An automated approach to manufacturing
The factory tour also offered an insider’s view of igus’s semi-automated production line,
where products are manufactured with an impressive 24-hour turnaround for customers. Aldridge explained how the company’s recent multimillion-pound investment into its Northampton facility has scaled its capacity to keep pace with the growing demand for igus’s products in the UK.
The tour concluded with a visit to the customer test area, where igus’s RBTX specialists showcased an array of advanced robotic solutions. The star of the show was the ReBeL cobot, the first collaborative robot made of high-performance plastic and the lightest in its class. Particularly suited to assembly tasks, quality inspections and in-service applications, ReBeL is designed to make it easier for small businesses to enter the robotics sphere with relatively low investment.
Circular economy in motion
Following the tour, we were treated to the opportunity to ride igus’s new RCYL bike. With a high
proportion of the raw materials derived from recycled ocean plastic waste, the RCYL bike presents a unique solution for sustainable urban transport.
The sustainability benefits continue throughout the life cycle of the bike – and beyond. Once it has reached the end of its life cycle, the RCYL bike can be returned to igus headquarters. The company will then recycle it and use the material for the production of new bikes, with the customer receiving a €50 bonus. A win-win.
In summary
igus UK’s enjoyneering event not only offered a compelling glimpse into the potential of motion plastics to drive both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, but also highlighted the company’s commitment to enhancing customer experience.
It’s clear that igus’s approach – from its low-cost robotics to the potentially game-changing RCYL bike – demonstrates a commitment to solving today’s manufacturing challenges, while contributing to a sustainable future.
Want to experience enjoyneering yourself? Why not get in touch with the igus team?