Construction of a copy milling device for the yacht industry

May 2010

Mareike Herget from Baden-Württemberg Dual University in Heidenheim designed a copy milling device using various products from the drylin® range, on which rudders can be produced in foam or wood for sailing boats in small runs. At a later point in time, the aim is to equip this with drive systems, so that free forms can also be created using a CNC control system. The design of the unit is similar to a 3-axis CNC portal milling machine, as is usually used in wood and plastic machining.

A roller coaster for "Jugend Forscht", the youth science competition

April 2010

Jonas Adams, Matthias and Felix Willberger Lentes, 10th grade students of Kurfürst Balduin Gymnasium (high school) in Münstermaifeld, constructed a miniature roller coaster, complete with elevator for this year's Jugend Forscht, and of course it was sponsored by us. Plain bearings and chains were built for this (the latter were used in the power supply for the lift).
The starting point is the elective subject MINT, which combines mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology. Of course, many hours of free time were also spent working on the functional model. Please visit the homepage of the three using the link below. We say: All due respect for so much creativity and technical know-how and we are glad about the early promotion of technical skills.

Guest at the Nicolaus-August-Otto vocational college

March 2010

Real innovation coupled with economic production and relevance in everyday life is seldom found. On 10 March seven groups, each with 3-5 vocational students, from the disciplines of automotive engineering and bodywork, and vehicle technology, proved that they have found this special mixture and that too in breathtaking time: From the initial ideas to the construction, the students took just 7 weeks. More in the blog.

The Ballbot - Innovation of movement

March 2010

And who invented it? That's right, the Swiss. With igus® bearings, among other things, a robot is being developed right now at Zurich at the ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), which stands on a ball, moves freely and can tilt up to 20°. This wonderfully agile invention can be used in both office and household. As messenger or entertainment robot, the application areas are diverse. Michael Neunert describes the progress of the BallBot thus: "In the meantime, the Ballbot increasingly takes shape and the mechanical parts (except the cover) have been manufactured and assembled. Linear bearings and shafts provided by you are also part of the prototypes. Fortunately they work very well as planned! We say: Glad to collaborate again, with so much innovation! Initial images of movements may be viewed at the following link.

igus® establishes contact with the Monash University in Australia

February 2010

Simon Higgins, a student of the Division of Biological Engineering of the Monash University in Clayton, Australia, has asked us for support. For the international synchrotron radiation facility "Australian Synchrotron" in Melbourne, he constructed a movable closure for an X-ray apparatus with products of the drylin® series. Currently he is testing to find out what types of the drylin® series he will use.

Visit to the SolarCar team of HS Bochum

January 2010

As sponsor, igus® was invited to HS Bochum for the final presentation of the SolarCar team on Wednesday, 28/01. A video diary of the Solar Challenge across Australia was shown. Impressions, comments and pictures on the blog pages and the homepage of the SolarCar team (click on image).

Students of the Opladen vocational college at igus®

December 2009

On Tuesday 08/12, we welcomed students of the Opladen vocational college (Leverkusen) who are well on their way to become state-certified electrotechnical assistants. After an introduction of the company by Jochen Hamacher (Human Resources), Nils Jäger, who is a trained electrical engineer and product manager for chainflex® cables with igus®, gave a special lecture on electric cables. The subsequent tour also gave the students a practical insight into the assembling and application of the cables. We thank Mr. Plagemann and the students of BK Opladen for their great interest and wish them further success in their training.

Students of RFH Mechanical Engineering visit igus®

December 2009

On Friday 04/12, we were visited by students of mechanical engineering from the Rheinische Fachhochschule. After an introduction of the company by the head of the human resources division Jörg Botor, production engineers Andreas Hüther and Mathias Siegmund who were trained at igus® gave a guided tour of the production plant on the topic "Dispatch and Order Management". The students accompanied by Professor Brockmann were very interested and got an insight into the bearings and E-Chain production and how an order is processed, from its receipt to packaging. igus® thanks you for your keen interest and bids good-bye.

Students of wood and design build work table prototypes

October 2009

Kudos to the two students Georg Scheuerer and Daniel Aichner (Schulen für Holz und Gestaltung Garmisch-Partenkirchen/School of Wood and Design, Garmisch-Partenkirchen) for their achievement in designing, who produced a work table on their own which could possibly get rid of some of the well-known problems of conventional work surfaces. The surface can be easily moved by wheels and compressed air, height can be adjusted by means of adjustment bars and the work table can be easily and securely covered. igus® parts were also used in the prototype and show the variety of the products. This shows that igus® plastics are also helpful for the wood-working industry.

First semester students receive an igus® welcome pack

September 2009

What a nice way to start life at the university! At the beginning of their studies, first semester students of FH Bonn-Sieg in the department of "Applied Natural Sciences" received bags full of useful things from igus®. Among other things, the obligatory comfort food in the form of chocolate and moreover hands-on product samples, as students with emphasis on "Chemistry with Materials Science" in particular will have to deal with plastic processing in their daily studies. The approximately 650 students were happy and able to start their studies with a zest for action and the good feeling of being supported.

Cordless screwdriver race 2009 with igus® support

August 2009

Students of HFBK Hamburg built a recumbent bicycle operated only by cordless screwdrivers using, among other things, igus® parts . The project was part of a university competition which also evoked numerous positive responses in the press.

Super trainee Jens Forster receives another award

July 2009

Annually the GKV awards a sponsorship prize for "top performances in vocational qualification as mechanic in plastic and rubber processing." igus® employee Jens Forster received it this time (we reported about it). He is one of the 10 best trainees in the whole of Germany! Ralf Olsen, GKV managing director for education and training, came to Porz-Lind for this reason. He personally handed over honorary certificates to Jens Forster, to igus as a company that takes on trainees, as well as to the Troisdorf vocational college. In a lecture attended by many igus® trainees and instructors, Ralf Olsen mentioned current statistics of the plastics industry. He also described the training initiative of GKV. Günter Blase presented the event and explained what igus®, as a company that accepts apprentices, considers important about trainees.

Racing team of the FH Cologne on the podium

April 2009

At the start of the season, the Honda Civic touring car team of FH Cologne achieved a sensational second place. The team was even at the top of the race for a while. igus® GmbH wishes good luck for the whole season.
The next race will take place on April 18 on Nürburgring.

Robocup dance and igus®: At the forefront

March 2009

On March 1, the preliminary round of the Robocup Junior competition took place at Nürburgring. igus® was there with a small stand and its own team. In the Robocup Dance category, the girls from Sankt Adelheit Gymnasium won a sensational first place, which earned them a spot in the German finals during the HMI. We wish much success!

igus® signs learning partnership

December 2008

The igus® GmbH signed a MINT partnership (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology) with IHK Cologne and the Cologne district authorities.

igus® trains the best apprentices!

November 2008

Jens Forster is our super trainee of 2008. In the skilled occupation of a mechanic in plastics and rubber processing, he is not only one of the best trainees in the IHK district of Cologne, but he is among the 137 best trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Are you interested in a vocational training in the industrial or technical field? Send your application here:

Bonn-Rhein-Sieg company day

November 2008

This year too, the FH Bonn-Rhein-Sieg celebrated a very successful company day. Several thousand students, graduates and interested people came to the fair to get information on career options and professions. igus® was there with a stand and was able to make many new contacts.

A successful season is coming to an end

October 2008

The FH Cologne team ended a successful VLN long-distance championship on 09/11. In addition an own racing car was developed and built for the Formula Student. We wish much success next year too.

VLN long-distance races at Nürburgring

July 2008

The motorsport team of the FH Cologne successfully participated in the 6-hour race of the "green hell" on 19/07. A detailed report can be found here ...

Robocup in China

July 2008

The Bremen University team sponsored by igus® reports on the daily events of the competition in their online blog.

Visit to igus® from the FH Cologne

June 2008

On 16/06, Professor Dr. Bonnet and 8 students were guests at igus®. René Achnitz, product manager - plain bearings, gave a lecture on the topic "Tribo-optimized plain bearings, calculation of wear and advantages of plastic plain bearings". Subsequently the interested students got an intensive factory tour and thus could experience at first hand the exciting manufacturing processes at igus®.

The trade information day in Siegburg

June 2008

On 05/06/2008, igus® was represented at the trade information day of the Siegburg vocational college. Many interested students were informed about a training at igus® for industrial managers/clerks, which included a lecture on the topic.

Team B Smart participates at the RoboCup World Championship in China

April 2008

The RoboCup German Open is over and the Team B Smart, sponsored by igus®, has secured the top spot in the small-size category. B Smart won the final game with a score of 8:0 against the ER Force team.

The "formula student" drives in orange

March 2008

This year two teams drive with igus® parts in the well-known "formula student".
The team of the FH Cologne mounts, among other things, its undercarriage and the steering with igus® parts
The FH Stralsund trusts exclusively in the mounting with igus® parts
We wish all the teams a successful and accident-free season.

Robocup Junior at Nürburgring, igus® too is present!!

March 2008

The Robocup Junior is the smaller version of the Robocup, but taken as seriously. One of the three qualifiers took place on March 1 at Nürburgring and determined the participants in the finals at the Hannover Messe. The categories are soccer, rescue and dance. The winner at the Hannover Messe will represent Germany at the Robocup Junior World Cup in China. igus® will be present with a stand and a lot of information and give-aways!!

The company day of the FH-Bonn-Rhein-Sieg was a complete success!

November 2007

It's never happened before: Over 4,000 visitors and around 90 exhibitors were present on the company day of the FH-Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. Of course, igus® was also there with a stand. Many students were informed about the tribo-optimized plastic plain bearings and e-chain systems® made of solid polymer and career possibilities at igus®. Many new contacts were established and a few interviews already took place at our company.
We look forward to the next company day.

igus® guest lecture at RWTH Aachen

October 2007

"Feed drives in machine tools" was the theme of the igus® presentation at the RWTH Aachen. Besides the igus® customers, design engineers and developers were also on site. The igus® films clearly explaining the practical product details went down very well with the over 90 participants. These and other films can be found in the section Teaching Media or on request from igus®.

We also would like to hold presentations at your university, thematically entirely adapted to your curriculum.

Trade fairs autumn 2007

igus® can be found at four of the education and career fairs in October and November.

Meet us and know about the training and career possibilities at igus®. The trade information day in Troisdorf (18 October), the job congress in Wuppertal (24 October), the professions live Rheinland fair in Cologne (9-10 November) or the company day at FH Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (14 November).

We look forward to your visit!

Bionics in progress - prototype completed

July 2007

The CLASP team of the University of Bremen made the prototype of a flexible lifting tool for forklifts. The project presentation in Bremen takes place at the end of July.

igus® supported the team with 400 iglidur® bearings and congratulated them for the successful presentation!

IndieLiberty team is the RoboCup world champion!

July 2007

No. 1 in the individual and No. 2 in the team standings. It couldn't have gone any better for the IndieLiberty team in Atlanta.

Now Jasmin, Matthis and Torsten also want to compete in the soccer league and to defend their Rescue title in Shanghai in 2008.

New igus® video clips online!

July 2007

From production through laboratory tests to application.

RoboCup World Championship in Atlanta

July 2007

Nearly 300 teams from 33 countries compete at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the RoboCup World Championship. igus® supports three teams that have fought magnificently so far.

Lecture at the Technical University of Dresden

"Energy chain selection made easy - Examples of machine tools"

June 2007

In the specialized igus® presentation at the Faculty of Machine Tools at the TU Dresden (Dresden Technical University), the strong focus on practical application was very important for the students. igus® satisfactorily fulfilled this requisite. Many practical examples, different mounting positions of energy chains, possible errors and future trends were discussed clearly and in detail. Everyone involved liked the exchange "very much".

igus® can also visit your institution. Topics of presentation will be adapted to your theme and curriculum.

Factory tour igus®

June 2007

Prospective engineering students of the Gesamtschule Köln-Porz (Cologne-Porz Comprehensive School) received an insight into the world of bearings and e-chain systems® made of high-performance polymers. Composition and application potentials were also on the program, such as a guided tour through the igus® factory.

Would you also like to know igus® better? We welcome student groups (up to 15 people) from schools and colleges.

Hit the mark again!

May 2007

The "accurate dartboard" project was an exhibit during "Mechatronic-Parcours" at the 2007 Hanover Fair.

Bionics in progress – Fish fin as archetype for innovation

May 2007

CLASP team from the University of Bremen develops flexible chain hoist for forklifts.

igus® supports with 400 plain bearings.

igus® sponsors the winning team of the RoboCupJunior German Open

May 2007

The "IndieLiberty" team travels to Atlanta for the world championship After the successful qualification round in Magdeburg, Jasmin Müller, Torsten Wylegala and Mattis Pasch participated in the national competition at the 2007 HMI in Hanover ... and won brilliantly!!!

"Jugend forscht" ... with igus®

April 2007

Some weeks ago, Ralph Strobel, Matthias Müller and
Jürgen Stadelmaier had reason to cheer - they were the winners of the jugend forscht competition in Baden-Württemberg. With their gliding simulator
the students and trainees have qualified for the final qualifier in Hamburg.

Hands-on igus®

April 2007

The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the Hochschule Merseburg (University of Merseburg) is the satisfied owner of the first igus® product showcase. A selection of the current plain bearings and e-chains® collection has found a place accessible to both professors and students. Small product cards briefly describe the essential characteristics and capabilities of each item.

Students are able to find ideas for design elements, and professors can quickly and simply bring in more practical insight into their lectures.

If you also want to make technology tangible at your institution, call us or send an

Students of the Jugenddorf-Christhophorusschule Königswinter hosted by igus®

February 2007

On 1 February 2007, igus® welcomed students of the Jugenddorf-Christhophorusschule from Königswinter. The idea to visit companies in the technical sector is part of the concept of the Junior Engineering Academy course, which has been offered successfully for two years. The students were given a comprehensive introduction to materials, products and production by Dr. Felix Franke and were then given a guided tour through the factory.

Company day of the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Technical College

November 2006

On 8 November 2006, the igus® GmbH gave a presentation at the higher education fair of the Fachhochschule (Technical University) Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. Interested parties and candidates had the opportunity for direct exchange. Topics included internships, dissertations and career opportunities at igus®. The well-attended regional fair is held annually on the campus of the Fachhochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. igus® had a discussion session for the third time and could make many new contacts.

Sponsors' meeting at the Hawk Racing Team

October 2006

On 22 October the Hawk Racing team of the Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg (Hamburg University of Applied Sciences) organized a sponsor's day. The team presented here not only their proficiency, but their racing car from last season. The sponsors were able to exchange ideas with the students about the past season over coffee and cake and test the race car with a lap around the track.

End of the season for the Lions Racing Team

September 2006

On 14 September the Lions Racing team celebrated the season's end together with students, the faculty and sponsors. The team made it an occasion to thank their teachers and sponsors for the support in the ongoing season.

The Motorsportverein e.V. (Motorsport Association) of the FH Köln at the village fair in Bergisch Gladbach.

September 2006

From 8th to 10th September, the Motorsportverein e.V of the FH Köln presented itself at the festival in Bergisch Gladbach. The team also presented its racer at the festival. The VLN Honda Junior team lined up at the BF Goodrich long-distance championship with its racing car and is currently engaged in building a team for the Formula Student.

Visit to igus® from the Cologne Technical College

June 2006

A group of 18 students from the Institute of Material Application were guests at igus® on 1 July this year. An introduction and presentation of igus® GmbH was made by Dr. Felix Franke for the benefit of the students Subsequently the student group of 18 was given a guided tour through the factory. Moreover, the Human Resources Manager Jörg Botor gave a short lecture on job applications. This topic will be taken up in detail once again in a guest lecture by igus® in the approaching winter semester.

The Lions Racing Team of the TU Braunschweig

June 2006

The igus® GmbH at this time supports the Lions Racing team of the TU Braunschweig. The team is participating with its self-built racing car at the Formula Student, in which the teams have to prove not only their driving skills, but also their mettle in other areas of the automotive sector. The Formula Student concept not only concentrates on the design of the racing car and the actual race, but also does not ignore areas such as provision of finance, and sales and marketing. The Lions Racing team of TU Braunschweig was supported by igus® not only materially, but also financially. This enabled the team to construct its latest racing car. The team will participate in an international race of the Formula Student Germany on the Hockenheimring track from 3-6 August. Moreover, the Lions Racing Team presented their work at several other events as well such as the Hannover Fair last April. At this event, the team of the TU Braunschweig represented the entire Formula Student besides themselves and their university.

Visit by exchange students from the USA

May 2006

The exchange students from the USA studying at the FH Köln paid a visit to igus® in May. The Human Resources Manager Jörg Botor gave a detailed presentation of the igus® GmbH, and Dr. Felix Franke took the students on a factory tour. The result of the student group from the USA was very good on the whole.