Power Transmission Engineering Magazine
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Igus Selected as 2011 Golden Mousetrap Winner

April 5, 2011

Iglide X6 plastic plain bearings from igus have been selected by Design News magazine as a 2011 Golden Mousetrap Best Products Winner. iglide X6 is made of an advanced bearing material containing nano particles.  The material is up to six times more wear resistant at long term temperatures of 482 degrees Fahrenheit than its predecessor. This year, out of a record number of entries, editors from Design News presented a total of 18 Golden Mousetrap awards in four major categories: Electronics and Test, Automation and Control, Design Tools: Hardware and Software and Materials and Assembly. iglide X6 plastic plain bearings were recognized in the Materials and Assembly category for innovation in engineering and creativity in product design.

Nanotechnology was used to optimize the new X6 material. In this area, surface properties play a more important role than material volume properties: the size of the object determines its properties. These are ‘size-induced functionalities'. The use of nano particles has a decisive influence on the superior performance of iglide X6 plain bearings, especially under the influence of temperature. iglide X6 plastic plain bearings are available from stock in 24 different dimensions. 

Igus' Twisterband TB30 cable carrier system, specially designed to turn through 3,000 degrees in minimal spaces in robotic applications, was also recognized by Design News as a Golden Mousetrap Award finalist.  Twisterband TB30 cable carriers are lightweight and easy to use. The injection-molded chain has easy access links allowing users to simply press in cables and hoses through split openings. Applications include robotics supplying one and six axes in special machine construction, handling, lifting and assembly equipment and test jigs.