Igus, which manufactures dry-tech bearings, is buoyant on India’s automotive market. This year, the company plans to add 100 different types of products to its automotive product portfolio in addition to its existing stable of 200 products which have various applications in the auto industry. The company says that projects are underway at different stages in the commercial vehicle, passenger car and two-wheeler segments.
A company official told Autocar Professional, “We are working on a brake solution with a leading truck manufacturer; this bearing will replace the existing metal bearing and right now the endurance tests are underway.” Similarly, projects are progressing with passenger car and two-wheeler manufacturers wherein the metal parts will be substituted with news plastic solutions.
Igus has pioneered plastic motion technology globally under the Energy Chains Systems brand. The key benefit of the bearings is being lubrication- and corrosion-free, low noise and light weight besides ensuring highest lifetimes at optimum costs. In India, the company works with all the major automotive companies.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of dry-tech, Igus has launched a world tour of a retrofitted car starting from India. The micro car is fitted with 56 Igus bearings and demonstrates the capabilities of its technologies. The retrofitted car will be displayed during the Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan. After the expo, it will begin its journey to China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, American Canada and Brazil, ending in Europe.
Igus has focused on research in ‘tribopolymers’ (friction and wear optimised plastics) for the last 3 decades to come up with improved solutions. This includes practical tests to demonstrate the capabilities of extensively tested and thoroughly proven innovative plastic technology. The current project plastination of the micro car aims to replace everything possible with Igusu plastics such as brake pedal, windscreen wiper, window lift mechanism, shift unit, seat console, handbrake, alternator, throttle valve and the convertible roof.