DryLin linear bearings used by students from University of Minnesota

Students use DryLin linear bearings to turn design project into one company's real-world solution

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – February 21, 2006 – Igus® Inc., the leading developer of iglide® plastic bearings, announced today that students from the University of Minnesota turned a school project into one company’s real-world solution while using donated DryLin® R linear bearings provided in conjunction with the company’s Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program.

The student design team developed a chainsaw variation of an Alaskan Mill for cutting large blocks of ice for the commercial use of Ice Occasions, one of the largest manufacturers of ice statue making equipment.

The company needed a machine that could handle the difficult job of taking a rough blank of ice with only two finished dimensions and make the cut for the final dimension. With each block of ice weighing upwards of 300 lbs. and giving off an excessive amount of moisture, the team needed to use wear- and corrosion-resistant components on the machine.

The students chose igus’ line of DryLin R linear bearings, designed specifically for wet and extreme dirt conditions, to get the job done. The cutting tool incorporated a modified chainsaw mounted on a vertical linear motion system using four DryLin R bearings and two pieces of DryLin S aluminum shafting. Traditional ball bearings would have corroded due to the continued exposure to damp conditions, making the all-plastic construction of the DryLin R bearings an ideal solution against unwanted rust and eventual failure.

The final product also delivered smooth motion that could not have been achieved without the igus components.

“The performance of the igus products was better than anything we had anticipated,” said John Aune, University of Minnesota student and team leader. “The DryLin bearings ensured the customer’s satisfaction with the final prototype.”

Since the completion of the product, the team of students has graduated and taken its experience into the work force. Ice Occasions still uses the student-designed machine that depends on igus bearings in its daily operation.

To learn more about Ice Occasions, visit www.iceoccasions.net.

About igus
Igus Inc., founded in 1985 and based in East Providence, R.I., develops and manufactures industry-leading plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastic bearings and linear guide systems. With more than 28,000 products available from stock, the company meets the motion control and machinery component needs of customers worldwide. Product lines include Energy Chain Systems® to protect and house moving cables, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables, iglide self-lubricating, oil-free, plastic bearings, DryLin linear guide systems and igubal® spherical bearings. For more information, contact igus at (800) 521-2747 or visit www.igus.com.

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	Download now Hi-Res/Lo-Res Download now Hi-Res/Lo-Res View the entire igus photo gallery and get other images and captions for print or online publication! Go now!			Students use DryLin linear bearings to turn design project into one company's real-world solution EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – February 21, 2006 – Igus® Inc., the leading developer of iglide® plastic bearings, announced today that students from the University of Minnesota turned a school project into one company’s real-world solution while using donated DryLin® R linear bearings provided in conjunction with the company’s Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program. The student design team developed a chainsaw variation of an Alaskan Mill for cutting large blocks of ice for the commercial use of Ice Occasions, one of the largest manufacturers of ice statue making equipment. The company needed a machine that could handle the difficult job of taking a rough blank of ice with only two finished dimensions and make the cut for the final dimension. With each block of ice weighing upwards of 300 lbs. and giving off an excessive amount of moisture, the team needed to use wear- and corrosion-resistant components on the machine. The students chose igus’ line of DryLin R linear bearings, designed specifically for wet and extreme dirt conditions, to get the job done. The cutting tool incorporated a modified chainsaw mounted on a vertical linear motion system using four DryLin R bearings and two pieces of DryLin S aluminum shafting. Traditional ball bearings would have corroded due to the continued exposure to damp conditions, making the all-plastic construction of the DryLin R bearings an ideal solution against unwanted rust and eventual failure. The final product also delivered smooth motion that could not have been achieved without the igus components. “The performance of the igus products was better than anything we had anticipated,” said John Aune, University of Minnesota student and team leader. “The DryLin bearings ensured the customer’s satisfaction with the final prototype.” Since the completion of the product, the team of students has graduated and taken its experience into the work force. Ice Occasions still uses the student-designed machine that depends on igus bearings in its daily operation. To learn more about Ice Occasions, visit www.iceoccasions.net. About igus Igus Inc., founded in 1985 and based in East Providence, R.I., develops and manufactures industry-leading plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastic bearings and linear guide systems. With more than 28,000 products available from stock, the company meets the motion control and machinery component needs of customers worldwide. Product lines include Energy Chain Systems® to protect and house moving cables, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables, iglide self-lubricating, oil-free, plastic bearings, DryLin linear guide systems and igubal® spherical bearings. For more information, contact igus at (800) 521-2747 or visit www.igus.com.